Shrill carder bee  (Bombus sylvarum)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

The shrill carder bee is found throughout Europe and is declining throughout its range. In the UK, it was considered a common species in the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. However, records since 1970 indicate that it has declined drastically in the UK, and is now only known from seven populations. These are in Kent, Essex, Wiltshire, Somerset and South Wales.

Habitat

This bee is an insect of extensive areas of herb-rich grassland of the sort that used to be widespread in Britain. Today, populations are restricted to large military ranges, unimproved pasture across the Somerset Levels, and brownfield sites along the Thames corridor.

Formerly common and widespread meadow and hedgerow plants with long corollas, such as vetches, clovers, dead-nettles and the red bartsia, are essential sources of pollen and nectar. It has been estimated that each bee nest requires an area of suitable habitat in the region of 10 square kilometres to produce queens successfully in late summer. Nectar and pollen supplies need to be available throughout the bee's flight period of April to September.

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