The Brown-Banded Carder Bee was extinct in Warwickshire but rediscovered in 1995 and could be on the increase here! In fact, in his 2011 report, Steven Falk, a local entomologist, tells us that the Brown-banded Carder Bee may increase due to the creation of clover-rich grasslands and field margins and the abandonment of large limestone quarries in southern Warwickshire.

There have been recorded sightings of the Brown-Banded Carder in 2018 and 2023, the latter in Ufton Fields outside Leamington Spa.

So, there is reason to hope that the Brown-Banded Carder Bee, Latin name Bombus Humilis, could be keeping a foothold here in Warwickshire. 

It would be extremely useful to understand this bee's current status better.

If true, why has the bee not been recorded more often?

This bee could be under-reported because:

• we don't have enough people recording bees in this area

• it isn't easy to get a conclusive identification - how to do this is described below

• clear and close photography is often needed to confirm the ID
  
  

What bees might it be confused with?

There are three similar carder bees, but two are so rare that we won't see them here in Warwickshire. Leaving just the Common Carder as the other similar bee.

The Carder Bees look different from the regular black bumblebee as they are a single beigey-ginger that fades in old age. Although the thorax and abdomen are the same colour, you will still see some darker stripes on the abdomen, typical of most bumblebees.

Therefore, in practice, we only need to distinguish between the Brown-Banded Carder and the Common Carder, which makes the task much easier.

What does the Brown-Banded Carder look like?

Where should you look?

You could start looking at Ufton Fields or Cuttle Pool, where the bee was spotted. Alternatively, you could look for the bee in any flower-rich grasslands or old public access quarry. Try to go out on sunny days and look on wildflowers like dandelions, knapweed, clover, thistles, teasels and bird's foot trefoil.

I suspect I've found one; what should I do?

If you have a possible brown-banded carder, it is best to start taking photos straight away before the bee flies away. Get close-up images of the side of the bee showing the wing base and close-up photos of the bee's abdomen taken from above, some as magnified as possible. Note the date and location of your sighting.

What differentiates the two bees?

You've found a gingery-beige colour bee. Which carder is it? Hopefully, you've managed to get some good magnification in your photos that will help you see the following on a brown-banded carder:

1. There is a brown second segment on the abdomen; there may even be a brown first segment.

2. Bees have dark skin, which you'll see below any fur. However, there should NOT be any black hairs between the segments on the abdomen, just gingery-beige or brown fur. 

3. You should also see yellow fur below the wing base on the side of the bee.

4. You should see some singular black hairs mixed into the fur around the wing base.
   
   

If you have all of these then you definitely have a brown-banded carder bee, well done!