# Early Bumble Bee (*Bombus pratorum*) The Early Bumble Bee is a fuzzy little insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen, making them super important for nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Early Bumblebee ![Early Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bourdon_des_pr%C3%A9s_sur_un_ris_jaune.jpg&width=800) Photo: JackyM59, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bourdon_des_pr%C3%A9s_sur_un_ris_jaune.jpg) ## Appearance The Early Bumble Bee is a relatively small, fuzzy bumblebee with a black body, a distinct yellow band around its 'neck', and a bright orange-red tail. Some individuals may also have a yellow band on their abdomen. This striking color combination helps distinguish it from other bumblebee species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Early Bumble Bees have five eyes: two big ones for sight and three tiny ones on top of their head! - The queen is the only Early Bumble Bee who lives through winter to start a whole new family in spring! - Their tiny antennae are super sensitive and can smell amazing flowers from far away! - They build a waxy 'honey pot' inside their nest to store lots of delicious nectar for rainy days. ## Special abilities - **Buzz Pollinator:** Early Bumble Bee can vibrate flowers at a special frequency to release pollen that helps them get more food for the colony. - **Chilly Flyer:** Early Bumble Bee can fly in cooler spring weather because their fuzzy bodies and shivering muscles help them stay warm. - **Nectar Backpack:** Early Bumble Bee has a special 'honey stomach' to carry nectar back to their nest that helps feed hungry larvae and other bees. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-30 mm - **Size:** 9-17 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-200 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 120 ## Diet & Feeding Early Bumble Bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein from many types of flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Willow, Comfrey, Red Clover, Fruit tree blossoms - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Goat Willow (*Salix caprea*) — An early source of nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Comfrey (*Symphytum officinale*) — A popular flower for long-tongued bumblebees. - **Eaten by:** [European Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-badger) (*Meles meles*) — Badgers may dig up nests for larvae and honey. - **Parasitizes:** Forest Cuckoo Bumblebee (*Bombus sylvestris*) — Lays eggs in their nests, letting hosts raise young. ## 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:** 2/5 · Low Be gentle and calm around bees; they usually won't sting unless they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Early 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 Early Bumble Bee's wingspan? 15-30 mm ### How big is Early Bumble Bee? 9-17 mm ### How long does Early Bumble Bee live? 20-200 days ### How fast can Early Bumble Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Early Bumble Bee eat? Early Bumble Bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein from many types of flowers. ### Where is Early Bumble Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Early Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Wildpark Bruderhaus](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wildpark-bruderhaus) — Zurich, CH · Zoo ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [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*) --- Source: [Early Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/early-bumble-bee)