# Shrill Carder-Bumble bee (*Bombus sylvarum*) The Shrill Carder-Bumble bee is a fuzzy little bee that loves to visit flowers. They are important helpers in nature because they pollinate plants, helping them grow and produce fruits. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Shrill Carder-Bumble bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_sylvarum_-_Arctium_tomentosum_-_Keila.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_sylvarum_-_Arctium_tomentosum_-_Keila.jpg) ## Appearance The Shrill Carder-Bumble bee has a pale greyish-yellow body with two narrow, faint black bands across its thorax. Its most striking feature is a bright, contrasting orange-red tail. This coloration helps it stand out from other bumblebee species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Bumblebees carry pollen in 'pollen baskets' on their hind legs, like tiny grocery bags! - Queens can lay eggs for both male and female bees, controlling their colony's future. - Shrill Carder-Bumble bees prefer long, grassy meadows over bustling gardens. - They are called 'Carder' bees because they scrape together moss and grass to build their cozy nests! ## Special abilities - **Buzz Pollination Power:** Shrill Carder-Bumble bees can 'buzz pollinate' certain flowers because they vibrate their flight muscles to release pollen, aiding plant reproduction. - **Long Tongue Feeder:** Shrill Carder-Bumble bees have a long tongue that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers, accessing food others cannot. - **Super-Fast Wings:** Shrill Carder-Bumble bees have wings that beat up to 200 times per second, allowing them to hover and quickly move between flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-36 mm - **Size:** 10-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 28-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 150 ## Diet & Feeding They sip nectar for energy and gather pollen for protein from a variety of wildflowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, Red Clover, Common Knapweed, Bird's-foot Trefoil - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Common Knapweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-knapweed) (*Centaurea nigra*) — Visits for essential nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Bird's-foot Trefoil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/birds-foot-trefoil) (*Lotus corniculatus*) — An important nectar source for this bee. - **Eaten by:** [European Bee-eater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-bee-eater) (*Merops apiaster*) — This bird preys on large flying insects like bees. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be gentle and calm around bees; they usually won't sting unless they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Shrill Carder-Bumble bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Shrill Carder-Bumble bee's wingspan? 20-36 mm ### How big is Shrill Carder-Bumble bee? 10-18 mm ### How long does Shrill Carder-Bumble bee live? 28-42 days ### How fast can Shrill Carder-Bumble bee fly? 20 km/h ### What does Shrill Carder-Bumble bee eat? They sip nectar for energy and gather pollen for protein from a variety of wildflowers. ### Where is Shrill Carder-Bumble bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Shrill Carder-Bumble bee hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Shrill Carder-Bumble bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shrill-carder-bumble-bee)