ExploreInsects

Black-tailed Bumble Bee

Bombus melanopygus

The Black-tailed Bumble Bee is a fuzzy, friendly insect that helps flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are often seen buzzing around gardens and parks, making them a delightful sight!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Black-tailed Bumble Bee is a medium-sized bee with a fuzzy, rounded body. It typically has two yellow bands on its thorax and a yellow band on its first abdominal segment. The rest of its abdomen is primarily black, often with reddish-orange hairs at the very tip, giving it its 'black-tailed' appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Black-tailed Bumble Bee
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Black-tailed Bumble Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A queen bee lays all the eggs, starting a new colony each year!

Bumble bees can fly in temperatures too cold for most other insects!

They have a super-sense for electric fields, helping them find flowers!

They use their sticky feet to climb and hold onto flowers!

Special abilities

Ability

Buzz Pollination

Black-tailed Bumble Bee can vibrate its powerful flight muscles to shake pollen loose from flowers, helping them spread seeds.

Ability

Internal Thermostat

Black-tailed Bumble Bee can shiver its muscles to warm up its body, letting it fly in colder temperatures than many other insects.

Ability

Navigation Wiz

Black-tailed Bumble Bee can remember the best flower patches and quickly find its way back to its nest using landmarks.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-38 mm
Size
10-19 mm
Lifespan
14-365 days
Flight Speed
18 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
50-200

Diet & Feeding

These busy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather pollen for their babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Lupine flowers
  • Clover flowers
  • Aster flowers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Arctic Lupine

Lupinus arcticus

Collects nectar and pollen, aiding plant reproduction.

eats

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Ambush predator camouflaged in flowers, preying on bees.

parasitizes

Thick-headed Fly

Physocephala rufipes

Lays eggs on bees; larvae develop inside the bumble bee.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Don't touch bees; just watch them from a distance. They are usually friendly!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Black-tailed Bumble Bee's wingspan?

20-38 mm

How big is Black-tailed Bumble Bee?

10-19 mm

How long does Black-tailed Bumble Bee live?

14-365 days

How fast can Black-tailed Bumble Bee fly?

18 km/h

What does Black-tailed Bumble Bee eat?

These busy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather pollen for their babies.

Where is Black-tailed Bumble Bee usually found?

Urban areas

How does Black-tailed Bumble Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Black-tailed Bumble Bee have?

6

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