# Nevada Bumble Bee (*Bombus nevadensis*) The Nevada Bumble Bee is a fuzzy little insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They help plants grow by spreading pollen while they collect nectar for their yummy food. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Nevada Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_nevadensis_080115.jpg&width=800) Photo: Sesamehoneytart, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_nevadensis_080115.jpg) ## Appearance The Nevada Bumble Bee is a large, robust bee often covered in dense yellow fur, especially on its head and thorax. Its abdomen typically appears black, providing a striking contrast to its bright yellow front. It has a relatively long face and proboscis. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Bumble bees don't 'dance' to tell others about food; instead, they communicate using scents and touch! - Only the queen bumble bee lives through winter, waking up to start an entire new colony all alone! - Their small nests only hold enough honey for a few days, so they don't make much honey for people! - Unlike honeybees, these bees can sting more than once because their stinger is smooth, not barbed! ## Special abilities - **Vibrating Pollinator:** Nevada Bumble Bee can 'buzz pollinate' certain flowers by vibrating its flight muscles, which helps shake out hard-to-reach pollen. - **Deep Nectar Feeder:** Nevada Bumble Bee has a super-long tongue (proboscis), allowing it to reach nectar hidden deep inside long, tubular flowers. - **Cold Weather Flyer:** Nevada Bumble Bee has a furry body and can shiver its muscles to warm up, allowing it to fly and forage on cooler days. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 22-40 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 25-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 400 ## Diet & Feeding These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein! - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Lupine, Clover, Thistle - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Silver Lupine (*Lupinus argenteus*) — A key wildflower providing nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — A common flower it visits for food. - **Parasitizes:** Ashton's Cuckoo Bumble Bee (*Bombus insularis*) — Invades nests and lays its own eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Western Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-kingbird) (*Tyrannus verticalis*) — An insectivorous bird that sometimes preys on bees. ## 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. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [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 Bumble bees are friendly and won't sting unless they feel scared. Just watch them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Nevada 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 Nevada Bumble Bee's wingspan? 22-40 mm ### How big is Nevada Bumble Bee? 15-25 mm ### How long does Nevada Bumble Bee live? 25-365 days ### How fast can Nevada Bumble Bee fly? 15 km/h ### What does Nevada Bumble Bee eat? These fuzzy bees sip sweet nectar for energy and collect pollen for protein! ### Where is Nevada Bumble Bee usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Nevada Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Denver Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denver-botanic-gardens) — Colorado, US · Botanical Garden - [Fort George Wright](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-george-wright) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [International Peace Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/international-peace-garden) — US · Botanical Garden - [Cedar Breaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedar-breaks-national-monument) — Utah, US · National Park [View all places to see Nevada Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/nevada-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: [Nevada Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/nevada-bumble-bee)