The White-tailed Bumblebee is often considered the classic bumblebee due to its distinctive black body with two bright lemon-yellow bands and a clean white tail. Interestingly, what we commonly refer to as the White-tailed Bumblebee is actually a complex of three nearly identical species: Bombus lucorum, Bombus magnus, and Bombus cryptarum, which can only be reliably distinguished through DNA analysis.

Widespread across the UK, the Red-tailed Bumblebee thrives in diverse habitats, including gardens, meadows, hedgerows, and urban green spaces. They typically nest underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or under stones, with colonies housing up to 300 workers.

This bumblebee favors a range of flowering plants. In spring, queens are often seen on dandelions, bluebells, and flowering currant. As the season progresses, workers and males forage on knapweed, lavender, heather, and thistles