DESCRIPTION: Length up to 18mm. The queens, workers and males are a fluffy pale ginger brown all over with black hairs on the round-ovoid abdomen that can cause a striped effect. There are also black hairs on the thorax which can be almost absent or quite dense. The face is longer than wide and the males face is covered in gingery hairs. The tongue is long and the pollen baskets are dark. BEHAVIOUR: A species that has a preference for visiting legumes and Dead-Nettles. Mature nests contain up to 100 workers. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout. HABITAT: Found in a variety of habitats including woodland edges, open meadows, parks and gardens. PERIOD: Adults are found from March to November. |
