Taxonomy

Bombus (Thoracombus) muscorum | Moss Carder-bee

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Near threatened

Species Biology

Identification

  • Distinctive blonde abdomen with no black hairs
  • Thorax entirely covered with ginger hairs
  • A unique form occurs on the Aran Islands (Bombus muscorum var. allenellus) that has black hairs on the sides of the thorax

Habitat

Found in a range of flower-rich habitats, including parks and gardens.

Flight period

March-September

Nesting biology

Surface nesting

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Lamium, Stachys, Symphytum, Carduus, Centaurea, Calluna, Cirsium, Trifolium, Erica

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Palaearctic region

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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References

Publications

Conservation status: FitzPatrick Ú., Murray T.E., Byrne A., Paxton R.J., Brown M.J.F. (2006) Regional Red List of Irish Bees, Publ. Rep. to National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and Environment and Heritage Service (N. Ireland). http://www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists

Flowers visited & World distribution: Westrich, P. (1989) Die Wildbienen Baden-Württembergs. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.