Common Carder Bee

Gardens, meadows, woodlands, hedgerows, and grasslands across Europe and parts of Asia

Nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants, particularly deep-throated flowers like clover and dead-nettles

Social bees that build small colonies underground or in grassy tussocks using moss and animal hair; active from early spring to late autumn

Highly beneficial key pollinator for crops and wild plants; generally non-aggressive, though females can sting if threatened