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Northern Amber Bumble Bee

Bombus borealis

The Northern Amber Bumble Bee is a fuzzy, yellow-and-black bee that loves to visit flowers. They are important pollinators, helping plants grow by spreading pollen as they collect nectar.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Northern Amber Bumble Bee has a striking appearance with a mostly ginger-orange, densely furred thorax and a black abdomen, often with a yellow-orange band at the front. Its robust, fuzzy body differentiates it from many slimmer, less hairy bee species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Northern Amber Bumble Bee
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Northern Amber Bumble Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A single queen bee can lay hundreds of eggs during her long life, sometimes over 1000!

Bumble bees can 'smell' flowers from over a kilometer away, guiding them to tasty nectar!

Even though they sting, male bumble bees are harmless because they don't have stingers!

They create small, wax pots inside their nests to store honey, like tiny pantries!

Special abilities

Ability

Chilly Forager

Northern Amber Bumble Bee has a dense, insulating fur coat and can shiver to warm its body, helping them forage for nectar and pollen in cooler climates.

Ability

Solo Colony Starter

Northern Amber Bumble Bee's queen can establish an entire new colony by herself each spring, which helps ensure the survival of her species.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-35 mm
Size
10-23 mm
Lifespan
21-365 days
Flight Speed
18 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
200

Diet & Feeding

This bee sips sugary nectar for energy and collects protein-rich pollen to feed its growing babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Epilobium angustifolium nectar
  • Rhododendron groenlandicum nectar
  • Vaccinium myrtillus nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Fireweed

Epilobium angustifolium

Vital for its nectar and pollen.

pollinates

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

An important food source in its northern range.

pollinates

Tall Lungwort

Mertensia paniculata

Favored plant for both nectar and pollen collection.

eaten by

Northern Shrike

Lanius borealis

These predatory birds may sometimes hunt large insects.

parasitizes

High Arctic Bumble Bee

Bombus hyperboreus

The Cuckoo Bumble Bee sometimes takes over their nests.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be gentle and calm around bees; they usually won't sting if you don't bother them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northern Amber Bumble Bee's wingspan?

15-35 mm

How big is Northern Amber Bumble Bee?

10-23 mm

How long does Northern Amber Bumble Bee live?

21-365 days

How fast can Northern Amber Bumble Bee fly?

18 km/h

What does Northern Amber Bumble Bee eat?

This bee sips sugary nectar for energy and collects protein-rich pollen to feed its growing babies.

Where is Northern Amber Bumble Bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does Northern Amber Bumble Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Northern Amber Bumble Bee have?

6

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Where to spot

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