Day 8: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Smaller than many other bumblebees, Bombus pratorum (Early Bumblebee) catches many people out as its workers can have little to no tail colouration.
My two cents? If you see a small bumblebee with yellow stripes and no tail colour, it's more than likely this one.
Smaller than many other bumblebees, Bombus pratorum (Early Bumblebee) catches many people out as its workers can have little to no tail colouration.
My two cents? If you see a small bumblebee with yellow stripes and no tail colour, it's more than likely this one.
March 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Day 8: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Smaller than many other bumblebees, Bombus pratorum (Early Bumblebee) catches many people out as its workers can have little to no tail colouration.
My two cents? If you see a small bumblebee with yellow stripes and no tail colour, it's more than likely this one.
Smaller than many other bumblebees, Bombus pratorum (Early Bumblebee) catches many people out as its workers can have little to no tail colouration.
My two cents? If you see a small bumblebee with yellow stripes and no tail colour, it's more than likely this one.
Day 5: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Kids often call it a Panda Bee, but Andrena cineraria is more commonly called the Ashy Mining Bee or Grey Mining Bee.
Nesting in aggregations of sometimes thousands, it can seem threatening, but like most solitary bees, they are very safe and gentle.
Kids often call it a Panda Bee, but Andrena cineraria is more commonly called the Ashy Mining Bee or Grey Mining Bee.
Nesting in aggregations of sometimes thousands, it can seem threatening, but like most solitary bees, they are very safe and gentle.
March 19, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Day 5: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Kids often call it a Panda Bee, but Andrena cineraria is more commonly called the Ashy Mining Bee or Grey Mining Bee.
Nesting in aggregations of sometimes thousands, it can seem threatening, but like most solitary bees, they are very safe and gentle.
Kids often call it a Panda Bee, but Andrena cineraria is more commonly called the Ashy Mining Bee or Grey Mining Bee.
Nesting in aggregations of sometimes thousands, it can seem threatening, but like most solitary bees, they are very safe and gentle.
Day 7: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
One of the most recognisable bumblebees in our native fauna, Bombus lapidarius, the Red-tailed Bumblebee.
One of the most recognisable bumblebees in our native fauna, Bombus lapidarius, the Red-tailed Bumblebee.
March 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Day 7: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
One of the most recognisable bumblebees in our native fauna, Bombus lapidarius, the Red-tailed Bumblebee.
One of the most recognisable bumblebees in our native fauna, Bombus lapidarius, the Red-tailed Bumblebee.
Day 9: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
A beautiful spring mining bee, the thorax colour can be so rich in fresh females. These tend to nest on flat ground, so you may see them rise up out of the earth as you pass.
A beautiful spring mining bee, the thorax colour can be so rich in fresh females. These tend to nest on flat ground, so you may see them rise up out of the earth as you pass.
April 3, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Day 9: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
A beautiful spring mining bee, the thorax colour can be so rich in fresh females. These tend to nest on flat ground, so you may see them rise up out of the earth as you pass.
A beautiful spring mining bee, the thorax colour can be so rich in fresh females. These tend to nest on flat ground, so you may see them rise up out of the earth as you pass.
Day 4: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Today brings us face to face with the beautiful Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus).
I recorded one of these late last week, so keep your eyes open, they are out and about already.
Today brings us face to face with the beautiful Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus).
I recorded one of these late last week, so keep your eyes open, they are out and about already.
March 18, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Day 4: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Today brings us face to face with the beautiful Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus).
I recorded one of these late last week, so keep your eyes open, they are out and about already.
Today brings us face to face with the beautiful Heath Bumblebee (Bombus jonellus).
I recorded one of these late last week, so keep your eyes open, they are out and about already.
#CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Day 2: Bombus lucorum (Queen)
The mites on the bee are harmless and are hitching a ride until she founds a nest at which point they will hop off and keep her new nest clean.
Google 'phoresis' to find out more...
Can you tell the difference between this and yesterday's?
Day 2: Bombus lucorum (Queen)
The mites on the bee are harmless and are hitching a ride until she founds a nest at which point they will hop off and keep her new nest clean.
Google 'phoresis' to find out more...
Can you tell the difference between this and yesterday's?
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 AM
#CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Day 2: Bombus lucorum (Queen)
The mites on the bee are harmless and are hitching a ride until she founds a nest at which point they will hop off and keep her new nest clean.
Google 'phoresis' to find out more...
Can you tell the difference between this and yesterday's?
Day 2: Bombus lucorum (Queen)
The mites on the bee are harmless and are hitching a ride until she founds a nest at which point they will hop off and keep her new nest clean.
Google 'phoresis' to find out more...
Can you tell the difference between this and yesterday's?
Day 3: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Sexual dimorphism is when the sexes of the same species have different morphological characteristics as highlighted perfectly in Andrena clarkella, below.
Would you think they were the same species?
Have you spotted any spring bees yet?
Share your photos...
Sexual dimorphism is when the sexes of the same species have different morphological characteristics as highlighted perfectly in Andrena clarkella, below.
Would you think they were the same species?
Have you spotted any spring bees yet?
Share your photos...
March 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Day 3: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Sexual dimorphism is when the sexes of the same species have different morphological characteristics as highlighted perfectly in Andrena clarkella, below.
Would you think they were the same species?
Have you spotted any spring bees yet?
Share your photos...
Sexual dimorphism is when the sexes of the same species have different morphological characteristics as highlighted perfectly in Andrena clarkella, below.
Would you think they were the same species?
Have you spotted any spring bees yet?
Share your photos...
Day 6: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Our first cuckoo bee.
If you spot Andrena clarkella around, keep an eye out for this bee, Nomada leucophthalma, which sneakily lays its eggs in the Andrena clarkella nests.
1. No, this is not a wasp.
2. Yes, it is beautiful.
Our first cuckoo bee.
If you spot Andrena clarkella around, keep an eye out for this bee, Nomada leucophthalma, which sneakily lays its eggs in the Andrena clarkella nests.
1. No, this is not a wasp.
2. Yes, it is beautiful.
March 24, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Day 6: #CouchTo10IrishSpringBees
Our first cuckoo bee.
If you spot Andrena clarkella around, keep an eye out for this bee, Nomada leucophthalma, which sneakily lays its eggs in the Andrena clarkella nests.
1. No, this is not a wasp.
2. Yes, it is beautiful.
Our first cuckoo bee.
If you spot Andrena clarkella around, keep an eye out for this bee, Nomada leucophthalma, which sneakily lays its eggs in the Andrena clarkella nests.
1. No, this is not a wasp.
2. Yes, it is beautiful.