Bumblebee

Bombus

Bumblebees are fuzzy and friendly insects that buzz around flowers. They are great at pollinating plants!

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Bumblebee has a distinctly round, fuzzy body, often adorned with bold black and yellow (or sometimes orange/white) stripes. Its short wings and compact shape make it look much stockier and fluffier than slender honeybees. Unlike wasps, it lacks a noticeable 'waist' and its body is covered in dense hairs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus

Bumblebee

Interesting facts

A bumblebee's wings beat about 200 times per second, making that famous buzzing sound!

Bumblebees can see colors, including ultraviolet light, which helps them spot hidden patterns on flowers.

Some queen bumblebees can live for up to a year, starting a new colony all by herself!

They don't make honeycombs; instead, they store nectar in wax pots and pollen in small chambers.

Special abilities

Bumblebee can vibrate its flight muscles to shake pollen loose from flowers because of sonication, which helps them collect more food.

Bumblebee has a special ability to warm up its body, allowing it to fly and forage even when it's too chilly for other bees.

Bumblebee can remember complex flight routes and flower locations because of its excellent spatial memory, finding its way home.

Bumblebee has a long, straw-like tongue to reach deep nectar stores in many types of flowers, getting food others can't.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 25-60 mm
Size: 10-25 mm
Lifespan: 14-42 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6
Colony Size: 400

Diet & Feeding

They feast on flower nectar for energy and pollen for protein to grow big and strong.

Primary Foods

Nectar
Pollen
Honeydew (rarely)

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Red Clover

Trifolium pratense

A primary pollinator for this important agricultural crop.

pollinates

Wild Columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Their long tongues can reach nectar deep within its spurs.

parasitizes

Thick-headed Fly

Physocephala tibialis

Larvae develop inside the bumblebee, killing the host.

eaten by

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Crows and other birds may catch them for food.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.