# Red-belted Bumble Bee (*Bombus rufocinctus*) The Red-belted Bumble Bee is a fuzzy insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They are important helpers in nature because they pollinate plants, helping them grow and produce fruits. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Red-belted Bumble Bee](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/240855810/medium.jpg) Photo: Michelle Orcutt, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/240855810) ## Appearance The Red-belted Bumble Bee has a medium-sized, fuzzy body covered in black and yellow bands. Its distinguishing feature is a prominent rusty red or orange band, typically found on the middle section of its abdomen, making it stand out. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - A queen Red-belted Bumble Bee can live for an entire year! - Bumble bees have special 'pollen baskets' on their back legs! - Each Red-belted Bumble Bee has a unique fur pattern, like a fingerprint! - These fuzzy bees often build their cozy nests hidden underground! ## Special abilities - **Warm-Up Wonder:** Red-belted Bumble Bee can shiver its muscles to generate body heat, allowing it to forage for food even in cooler temperatures. - **Nectar Seeker:** Red-belted Bumble Bee has a medium-long tongue that helps it reach sweet nectar located deep inside a variety of tubular flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-40 mm - **Size:** 8-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-365 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50-200 ## Diet & Feeding They drink sugary nectar for energy and eat protein-rich pollen to grow strong. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Clover flowers, Thistle flowers, Goldenrod flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Helps this agricultural plant reproduce and thrive. - **Pollinates:** [Wild Bergamot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-bergamot) (*Monarda fistulosa*) — Visits these fragrant flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Striped Skunk (*Mephitis mephitis*) — Preys on bees, often digging up their underground nests. - **Parasitizes:** Thick-headed Fly (*Physocephala texana*) — Lays eggs on bees; larvae develop inside and kill them. ## 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:** 1/5 · Very low Bumble bees are usually friendly, but it's best to stay calm and not swat at them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-belted 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 Red-belted Bumble Bee's wingspan? 12-40 mm ### How big is Red-belted Bumble Bee? 8-20 mm ### How long does Red-belted Bumble Bee live? 20-365 days ### How fast can Red-belted Bumble Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Red-belted Bumble Bee eat? They drink sugary nectar for energy and eat protein-rich pollen to grow strong. ### Where is Red-belted Bumble Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Red-belted Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Green Bay Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-bay-botanical-garden) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mitchell-park-horticultural-conservatory) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Parc linéaire de la rivière Saint-Charles](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/parc-lin-aire-de-la-rivi-re-saint-charles) — Québec, CA · Park - [Haight Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/haight-village-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [McKinley Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mckinley-park) — Wisconsin, US · Park - [Underpass Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/underpass-park) — Ontario, CA · Park [View all places to see Red-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/red-belted-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: [Red-belted Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-belted-bumble-bee)