Here’s a full natural history overview of the Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum), one of Europe’s most familiar bumblebees:

**Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum)**

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: Thoracobombus
Species: Bombus pascuorum

General Description

A small to medium-sized bumblebee with a ginger-brown thorax and generally shaggy appearance. It is one of the most widespread and commonly seen bumblebees across Europe.

Size:
- Queens: 16–18 mm
- Workers: 10–15 mm
- Males: 11–14 mm
Coloration:
- Thorax: Ginger to light brown hairs.
- Abdomen: Mixed bands of brown, black, and greyish hairs.
- Wings: Smoky translucent.
Body Shape: Slimmer and less stocky compared to other bumblebees.
Tongue Length: Long, adapted to feeding from tubular flowers such as clovers and dead-nettles.

Behavior & Lifestyle

Social Structure: Eusocial species with annual colonies.
- Colonies established by queens in spring.
- Colony size: ~60–150 workers (smaller than those of some other bumblebees).
Nesting: Prefers above-ground nests in tussocky grass, leaf litter, or moss. The name “carder” comes from the way it combs together plant fibers to line the nest.
Foraging:
- Generalist feeder; collects nectar and pollen from a wide range of flowers.
- Especially associated with legumes, labiates, and composites.
Activity Period:
- Queens emerge from hibernation in March–April.
- Workers active throughout spring and summer.
- Males and new queens appear late summer to early autumn.

Habitat

Prefers open, flower-rich environments, including:
- Meadows and pastures
- Hedgerows
- Urban gardens and parks
- Road verges and wasteland
Tolerates disturbed landscapes well, explaining its widespread success.

Geographic Range

Europe-wide: From the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, absent only in the far north.
Also present in: Parts of Asia and introduced populations in New Zealand.

Ecological Role

Pollination:
- Major pollinator of wildflowers and crops.
- Effective at long-tubed flowers due to its extended tongue.
Ecosystem Indicator: Abundance signals healthy, flower-rich grasslands.

Special Adaptations

Long Foraging Season: Colonies can remain active into October in mild climates.
Flexible Nesting: Uses a wide variety of above-ground nest sites, unlike many bumblebees that prefer underground burrows.
Hairy Coat: Dense fur provides insulation, allowing it to forage in cooler conditions.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Population Trend: Stable, still common across much of its range.
Threats:
- Agricultural intensification (loss of flower-rich meadows).
- Pesticide exposure.
- Climate change (shifts in floral availability).
Conservation Measures:
- Promotion of wildflower meadows.
- Reduced pesticide use.
- Encouraging pollinator-friendly gardens.

Interesting Facts

Named “carder bee” because it gathers plant fibers and moss to “card” together into nest material.
Unlike many other bumblebees, Bombus pascuorum often nests above ground, making nests easier to find.
Colonies are smaller and less aggressive, rarely stinging unless seriously threatened.
Often the last bumblebee seen in autumn, sometimes still flying into November.