Common Carder Bee

Gardens, meadows, woodlands, and urban green spaces across Europe and parts of Asia.

Polylectic foragers that feed on nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowers, particularly long-tubed flowers like clover and vetches.

Social insects that form annual colonies; they are named 'carder bees' for their habit of gathering moss and grass to thatch the top of their nests.

Highly beneficial pollinators for both wildflowers and agricultural crops. They represent minimal risk to humans as they are generally non-aggressive and only sting if severely provoked.