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Bombus

Bombus

Bombus, or bumblebees, are fuzzy insects that help flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are friendly and love to buzz around gardens, making them important for nature!

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Bombus is a robust, fuzzy bee, typically adorned in bold bands of black and yellow, though some species may include orange or white markings. Its thick, hairy body and often iridescent wings differentiate it from smoother, less stocky bees like honeybees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Bombus
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Bombus

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A queen bumblebee starts her entire colony all by herself in the spring!

Bumblebees can carry up to 70% of their body weight in nectar and pollen.

Some bumblebee queens can hibernate alone underground for over half a year!

Unlike honeybees, bumblebees have smooth stingers and can sting multiple times.

Special abilities

Ability

Buzz Pollination Power

Bombus can vibrate its flight muscles to shake pollen loose from flowers that other bees can't access, helping them collect more food.

Ability

Internal Heater

Bombus can shiver its flight muscles without moving its wings, which helps them warm up and fly in cooler temperatures.

Ability

Long Tongue Reach

Bombus has a long, retractable proboscis that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers, accessing diverse food sources.

Ability

Excellent Navigators

Bombus can learn and remember complex routes to flower patches over long distances, helping them efficiently find food.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
20-40 mm
Size
8-25 mm
Lifespan
14-365 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
50-500

Diet & Feeding

Bumblebees are plant eaters that mostly drink sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Honeydew
  • Floral oils

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

Crucial for seed production in these agricultural plants.

pollinates

Highbush Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum

Their 'buzz pollination' helps increase fruit yield.

eaten by

Red-backed Shrike

Lanius collurio

A common predator, especially of foraging workers.

parasitizes

Gypsy Cuckoo Bumblebee

Bombus bohemicus

Lays eggs in Bombus nests, its larvae are fed by hosts.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Bumblebees are usually friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bombus's wingspan?

20-40 mm

How big is Bombus?

8-25 mm

How long does Bombus live?

14-365 days

How fast can Bombus fly?

20 km/h

What does Bombus eat?

Bumblebees are plant eaters that mostly drink sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein.

Where is Bombus usually found?

Gardens

How does Bombus hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Bombus have?

6

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