The Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe.
The queen is 22–28 mm long, the males are 13-16 mm and the females (worker bees) are 11–17 mm.
Worker bees are characterized by their white-ended abdomens and look (apart from their yellowish bands being darker in direct comparison) just like those of the White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum), a close relative.
However, Buff-tailed Bumblebees are a little bigger than White-tailed Bumblebees and the males have more orange-yellow hairs instead of lemon-yellow.
In addition, White-tailed Bumblebees have a distinctive yellow nose.
The Buff-tailed Bumblebee also closely resembles the Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) but the Buff-tailed Bumblebee has two yellow bands, whereas the Garden Bumblebee has three yellow bands.
The nest site is usually underground; an abandoned mouse burrow is often used.

B&B La Casina Di Borgagne, Borgagne area, Melendugno, Puglia, 6 October 2024