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Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee is a fuzzy, buzzing insect that helps flowers grow by spreading pollen. They are friendly and love to collect nectar from colorful flowers.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee is a large, fuzzy bee with a black head and a bright yellow band across its thorax. Its abdomen is mostly black, often with a yellow patch at the front, giving it a distinct black and yellow striped appearance.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillesgonthier/297487697/CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
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Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

130

Interesting facts

Common Eastern Bumble Bees often nest in abandoned mouse holes or dense grass.

Queens hibernate alone all winter, emerging in spring to start a brand new colony!

Their hairy eyes help them collect pollen and improve their vision!

They can taste with their antennae, helping them sniff out the best flowers.

Special abilities

Ability

Pollen Shaker

Common Eastern Bumble Bee can shake pollen loose from flowers because it vibrates its flight muscles rapidly, helping certain plants release hidden pollen.

Ability

Cool Weather Forager

Common Eastern Bumble Bee can stay active in cooler weather because it can 'shiver' its muscles to warm up its body, helping it forage earlier.

Ability

Deep Nectar Reach

Common Eastern Bumble Bee has a long tongue that helps it drink nectar from deep flowers, allowing it to access food sources many others can't.

Ability

Nest Protector

Common Eastern Bumble Bee workers can sting repeatedly to defend their nest, making them formidable protectors of their home and queen.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-45 mm
Size
10-23 mm
Lifespan
14-365 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
400

Diet & Feeding

These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Clover
  • Coneflower
  • Bee Balm
  • Goldenrod

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Common BumblebeeEastern Bumblebee

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Bumble bees are usually gentle, but it's best to watch them from a distance and not disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Common Eastern 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 Common Eastern Bumble Bee's wingspan?

15-45 mm

How big is Common Eastern Bumble Bee?

10-23 mm

How long does Common Eastern Bumble Bee live?

14-365 days

How fast can Common Eastern Bumble Bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Common Eastern Bumble Bee eat?

These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies.

Where is Common Eastern Bumble Bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does Common Eastern Bumble Bee hunt?

Foraging

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