# Garden Bumble Bee (*Bombus hortorum*) The Garden Bumble Bee is a fuzzy little insect that loves to visit flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen, making them very important for our gardens! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Garden Bee ![Garden Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tuinhommel_Koningin_op_braam_closeup.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tuinhommel_Koningin_op_braam_closeup.jpg) ## Appearance The Garden Bumble Bee has a distinctive long face and a black body with two clear yellow bands, one on its thorax and another at the front of its abdomen. Its tail is a noticeable fluffy white, making it stand out from similar bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Queens live alone all winter, then start new colonies in spring! - Their wings beat incredibly fast, making their famous buzzing sound! - They navigate using the sun and landmarks, like tiny living maps! - They often nest underground, even using old mouse holes for their home! ## Special abilities - **Flower Shaker:** Garden Bumble Bee can vibrate its flight muscles to release pollen from flowers, making it easier to collect. - **Cold Weather Flyer:** Garden Bumble Bee can shiver its muscles to warm up, allowing it to fly and forage even in cool weather. - **Pollen Packer:** Garden Bumble Bee has special 'baskets' on its legs to carry lots of pollen back to its nest. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 25-35 mm - **Size:** 11-18 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 100 ## Diet & Feeding Nectar gives them energy to fly, and pollen helps them grow big and strong! - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Foxglove nectar, Honeysuckle nectar, Clover nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Foxglove](https://www.snappit.app/explore/foxglove) (*Digitalis purpurea*) — Collects nectar from its deep, tubular flowers. - **Pollinates:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Gathers pollen and nectar from these common lawn flowers. - **Eaten by:** Magpie (*Pica pica*) — Occasionally preyed upon by hungry birds while foraging. - **Eaten by:** [Common Shrew](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-shrew) (*Sorex araneus*) — Nests underground can be raided by shrews for larvae. ## 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. - [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. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Garden 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 Garden Bumble Bee's wingspan? 25-35 mm ### How big is Garden Bumble Bee? 11-18 mm ### How long does Garden Bumble Bee live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Garden Bumble Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Garden Bumble Bee eat? Nectar gives them energy to fly, and pollen helps them grow big and strong! ### Where is Garden Bumble Bee usually found? Gardens ### How does Garden Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Garden Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-bumble-bee)