# Forest Bumble Bee (*Bombus sylvicola*) The Forest Bumble Bee is a fuzzy little insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen, making them very important for nature! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Forest Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_sylvicola.jpg&width=800) Photo: KNWR Entomology Collection, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_sylvicola.jpg) ## Appearance The Forest Bumble Bee is a medium-sized, fuzzy bee with a mostly black body, accented by yellow bands across its thorax and the first abdominal segment. Its most distinguishing feature is a vibrant reddish-orange tail, making it stand out from similar species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Each queen bumble bee starts her entire new colony alone every spring! - Some Forest Bumble Bees are secret nectar 'robbers', chewing holes in flowers to sip nectar! - They can remember the locations of the best flowers for many days, even weeks! - Wow, these bees use their wings to create a breeze, cooling down their nests on hot days! ## Special abilities - **Buzz Pollinator:** Forest Bumble Bee can 'buzz-pollinate' flowers by vibrating its body, releasing pollen that other insects often can't reach. - **Cool Weather Flyer:** Forest Bumble Bee has a dense, fuzzy coat and can shiver its flight muscles, helping it stay warm and fly in cooler temperatures. - **Deep Nectar Seeker:** Forest Bumble Bee has a relatively long tongue that helps it reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers, accessing more food sources. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 20-35 mm - **Size:** 10-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-42 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 150 ## Diet & Feeding These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their young! - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Foxglove, Clover, Thistle, Willowherb - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Foxglove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/foxglove) (*Digitalis purpurea*) — Helps reproduce by transferring pollen - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — An important pollinator for this plant - **Parasitizes:** Gypsy Cuckoo Bumblebee (*Bombus bohemicus*) — Lays eggs in their nests - **Eaten by:** [Red-backed Shrike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-backed-shrike) (*Lanius collurio*) — Can be prey for these birds ## 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. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 Don't touch bees, but watch them from a distance. They are usually friendly! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Forest 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 Forest Bumble Bee's wingspan? 20-35 mm ### How big is Forest Bumble Bee? 10-18 mm ### How long does Forest Bumble Bee live? 14-42 days ### How fast can Forest Bumble Bee fly? 20 km/h ### What does Forest Bumble Bee eat? These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their young! ### Where is Forest Bumble Bee usually found? Forests ### How does Forest Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bremner Historic Mining District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bremner-historic-mining-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Cedar Breaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-breaks-national-monument) — Utah, US · National Park ## 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: [Forest Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/forest-bumble-bee)