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 2025
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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.