Bombus pratorum, the Early Bumblebee, is a small, fast-moving species common across Europe. It has a black body with a yellow thoracic band and a distinctive orange tail. Among the first bumblebees to emerge in spring, it nests in cavities or old rodent burrows. Queens, workers, and males appear quickly in succession. It plays a vital role in pollinating early-flowering plants, including fruit blossoms and wildflowers.