# Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee (*Bombus mixtus*) The Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee is a plump, fuzzy insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen while they collect nectar for their yummy honey. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_mixtus.jpg&width=800) Photo: USFWS Pacific, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_mixtus.jpg) ## Appearance The Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee is a medium-sized bee with a fuzzy, black body adorned with prominent yellow bands, typically a bright yellow collar on its thorax and two yellow stripes on its abdomen. Its tail is usually white or pale, distinguishing it from many darker-tailed bumble bees. Its antennae are notably fuzzy. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - A queen bumble bee starts new colonies, laying hundreds of eggs solo! - Bumble bees store 'bee bread' (pollen and nectar) to feed their young! - Some Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bees build nests underground in abandoned mouse burrows! - These bees learn and remember where the best flowers are located for many days! ## Special abilities - **Buzz Pollination:** Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee can vibrate its flight muscles to release pollen because this helps them get more food from flowers. - **Thermo-Regulator:** Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee can keep warm in cool weather because it has thick fur and can shiver its flight muscles. - **Nectar Seeker:** Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee has a long tongue (proboscis) that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside tubular flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-35 mm - **Size:** 8-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50-200 ## Diet & Feeding These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Honeydew - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Arctic Lupine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-lupine) (*Lupinus arcticus*) — An important pollinator for this plant. - **Eaten by:** Northern Shrike (*Lanius borealis*) — Hunted and eaten by this bird. - **Depends on:** Smooth Blue Aster (*Symphyotrichum laeve*) — Relies on its late-season flowers for food. ## 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 Don't try to touch or catch bees; they are friendly but can sting if scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Fuzzy-Horned 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 Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee's wingspan? 15-35 mm ### How big is Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee? 8-18 mm ### How long does Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee live? 20-365 days ### How fast can Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee eat? These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and gather protein-rich pollen to feed their babies. ### Where is Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-defiance-zoo-and-aquarium) — Washington, US · Zoo - [Bellevue Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bellevue-botanical-garden) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Bremner Historic Mining District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bremner-historic-mining-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Headwaters Forest Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headwaters-forest-reserve) — California, US · Forest - [Matthews Beach Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matthews-beach-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/fuzzy-horned-bumble-bee) ## 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: [Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fuzzy-horned-bumble-bee)