HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > APOIDEA > Apidae

The bright golden-yellow collar behind the head and conspicuous double midriff band, which covers both the scutulum and first tergite, together with a white tail and long, thin face makes this widespread, rather shaggy-looking species pretty much unmistakable. All castes have a similar appearance, although darker individuals occasionally occur. It could be confused with the similarly marked Bombus jonellus, although that species has a shorter face and is more likely to be found on heathland rather in wooded or urban habitats.

The early queens emerge from hibernation in March or early April, with the first workers appearing a few weeks later. Both have 'pollen baskets' on their hind legs that appear shiny without the presence of pollen. The slightly smaller males, which have long, gently curved antennae, aren't usually seen until the very end of May or early June. New females, potential future queens, follow and, as with the males, will likely be seen right through the summer into the early autumn. The males often congregate on scabious and thistles, whereas the foraging workers tend to favour deeper flowers, such as bird's-foot trefoils, clovers, vetches, honeysuckles and foxgloves where they can use their long tongues. Bombus hortorum is one of only three bumblebee species that are likely to be found on these particular plants, the other two being Bombus pascuorum and Bombus ruderatus.

Bombus hortorum is a particularly common garden species where it can frequently be found visiting spring flowers, hence the name Garden Bumblebee or Small Garden Bumblebee; the latter often used to avoid confusion with Bombus ruderatus if that species is referred to as the Large Garden Bumblebee rather than the Ruderal Bumblebee.