Large Garden Bumblebee Bombus ruderatus

The Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) is one of Britain’s rarest bumblebees, a long-tongued species that has declined dramatically – by over 80% – across its former range, largely due to the loss of flower-rich grassland and the decline of long-tubed flowers such as red clover, white dead-nettle, and foxglove. Despite its common name, it is far from commonplace in gardens today. In Suffolk, it is associated with flower-rich grassland, fen edges, and areas supporting abundant long-tubed flowers, with records from several sites across the county. Suffolk lies within its eastern English range, and agri-environment schemes supporting diverse, nectar-rich grassland are important for this species. Image: © Maurice, Flickr.

Find out more: iNaturalist, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society, Bumblebee Conservation Trust