# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![American Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_pensylvanicus_male_on_rough_blazingstar_Ellison_Creek-7907.jpg&width=800) Photo: Angella Moorehouse, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_pensylvanicus_male_on_rough_blazingstar_Ellison_Creek-7907.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## 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 - **Buzz Pollination:** American Bumble Bee can release pollen from flowers using high-frequency vibrations because it helps them access pollen others can't. - **Warm-Blooded Flight:** American Bumble Bee can shiver its flight muscles to generate heat, allowing them to fly in cooler temperatures. - **Pollen Power-Packs:** American Bumble Bee has specialized pollen baskets (corbiculae) that help them carry large loads of pollen to the nest. - **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 - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — A vital early-season nectar source. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Provides abundant nectar for energy. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — An important late-season food source. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-kingbird) (*Tyrannus tyrannus*) — A bird that catches flying insects. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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 ### How to identify American Bumble Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Old Town Albuquerque](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-albuquerque) — New Mexico, US · Neighborhood - [Ortega](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ortega) — Florida, US · Neighborhood - [Paseo Arts District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/paseo-arts-district) — Oklahoma, US · Historic District - [Rio Grande Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rio-grande-botanic-garden-new-mexico) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Pueblo Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pueblo-zoo) — Colorado, US · Zoo [View all places to see American Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-bumble-bee) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [American Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bumble-bee)