Description
Common carder bumblebee greetings card
This A6 Common carder bumblebee greetings card is blank inside so you can add your own personal message.
The back of this A6 greetings card includes the following:
Distinctive by its furry, gingery-brown body and absence of white on its tail, the common carder bumblebee is widespread across the UK. Its favourite flowers include clover, bluebell, and lavender, which it accesses with its long tongue. It is a small, social species that likes to nest in long grass, moss mats on lawns, and cavities like old mouse runs or bird nests.
Other bee greetings cards include: Honey bee greetings card, Southern cuckoo bumblebee greetings card and Tawny mining bee greetings card
This greetings card is also available as part of a set
About
Common carder bumblebees get their name from their habit of “carding” material together to create a covering for the cells containing their larvae. This process involves collecting and weaving together various materials, such as plant fibres and moss, to form a protective layer. This species typically builds its nests above ground, often in grass tussocks, tangled vegetation, or just beneath the surface of the soil, where the nest remains hidden from predators. The nests are usually small but well-constructed, offering a secure environment for the queen and her brood to thrive. During the warmer months, the bees are highly active foragers, collecting pollen and nectar to sustain the colony. Watch this video from bee expert, Dave Goulson who accidentally uncovers a common carder bee nest in his garden.
Did you know?
Common carder bees are part of a group known as “long-tongued bees.” These bees have specially adapted tongues that allow them to feed on flowers with long, tubular florets, such as heather, clover, and lavender. Their long tongues give them access to nectar that shorter-tongued bees can’t reach, making them important pollinators for a variety of plants. In addition to these flowers, they can also forage on a range of other nectar-rich plants, playing a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
