Great Yellow Bumblebee

The Great Yellow Bumblebee 

(Bombus distinguendus)

The Great Yellow Bumblebee was once found all over Ireland but is now our most endangered bee. 

When silage replaced hay meadows, the great yellow bumblebees disappeared along with their flower-rich meadow habitats. The species now only survives in a few coastal sites in the west of Ireland, mainly in Co. Mayo.

The Bumblebees

There are more than 250 different species of Bumblebee on Earth. At least 16 different Bumblebee species live in Ireland.

Bumblebees are large, furry insects that nest in social groups. Most Bumblebees build their colonies underground in old mouse nests. Some nest in trees. Nests contain a queen, her many worker daughters, and some males. Larvae are raised by workers in wax cells and fed a mix of nectar and pollen. Bumblebees are very intelligent animals and will only sting if they feel threatened.