# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 130 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Common Bumblebee, Eastern Bumblebee ![Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_impatiens.jpg&width=800) Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillesgonthier/297487697/, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_impatiens.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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. - **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 - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Vital for its seed production. - **Pollinates:** Purple Coneflower (*Echinacea purpurea*) — Helps this popular flower reproduce. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — An occasional meal for this common bird. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Efficiently moves pollen for this fall bloomer. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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 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 ## Where to spot - [Anderson Japanese Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-japanese-gardens) — Illinois, US · Botanical Garden - [Arnold Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arnold-arboretum) — Massachusetts, US · Botanical Garden - [Bartholomew's Cobble](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bartholomews-cobble) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Bellevue Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-eastern-bumble-bee) ## More Insects - [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*) - [Queen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/queen) (*Danaus gilippus*) --- Source: [Common Eastern Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee)