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American Bumble Bee

Bombus pensylvanicus

The American Bumble Bee is a fuzzy, friendly insect that helps flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are known for their buzzing sound and bright yellow and black stripes.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The American Bumble Bee is a large, fuzzy bee with a mostly yellow thorax, often with a distinct black band between its wings. Its abdomen is primarily black, with yellow banding on the first few segments, but crucially, the last two segments are entirely black, distinguishing it from similar species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
American Bumble Bee
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American Bumble Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Bumble bees can navigate home even if moved far from their nest!

Some bumble bee queens can live for an entire year!

They create a special wax pot inside their nest to store honey!

They use their fuzzy bodies to keep warm, even on chilly days!

Special abilities

Ability

Buzz Pollination

American Bumble Bee can release pollen from flowers using high-frequency vibrations because it helps them access pollen others can't.

Ability

Warm-Blooded Flight

American Bumble Bee can shiver its flight muscles to generate heat, allowing them to fly in cooler temperatures.

Ability

Pollen Power-Packs

American Bumble Bee has specialized pollen baskets (corbiculae) that help them carry large loads of pollen to the nest.

Ability

Deep Nectar Drinker

American Bumble Bee has a long tongue (proboscis) that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-60 mm
Size
15-28 mm
Lifespan
20-300 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
50

Diet & Feeding

These fuzzy fliers drink nectar for energy and gather pollen for their young.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Clover
  • Asters
  • Goldenrod
  • Milkweed

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Bumble bees are usually gentle, but it's best to stay calm and not swat at them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is American Bumble Bee's wingspan?

30-60 mm

How big is American Bumble Bee?

15-28 mm

How long does American Bumble Bee live?

20-300 days

How fast can American Bumble Bee fly?

20 km/h

What does American Bumble Bee eat?

These fuzzy fliers drink nectar for energy and gather pollen for their young.

Where is American Bumble Bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does American Bumble Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does American Bumble Bee have?

6

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