# Yellow-faced Bumble Bee (*Bombus vosnesenskii*) The Yellow-faced Bumble Bee is a fuzzy little insect that loves to buzz around flowers. They are important pollinators, helping plants grow by spreading pollen as they collect nectar. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Yellow-faced Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_vosnesenkii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kevin Cole from Pacific Coast, USA ( en:User:Kevinlcole ), CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_vosnesenkii.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow-faced Bumble Bee is a medium to large bee with a mostly black body, striking bright yellow bands, especially on the front of its head (face) and the top of its thorax. It also has a distinct yellow patch on the first segment of its abdomen, making it stand out from other bumble bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## Interesting facts - Bumble bees can 'learn' which flowers have the best nectar by remembering their colours! - If their nest is disturbed, they can bite AND sting, but they usually just want to be left alone! - Queens wake up first in spring, starting a whole new colony all by herself! - They use an amazing internal compass to find their way home, even after long flights. ## Special abilities - **Buzz Pollinator:** The Yellow-faced Bumble Bee can 'buzz pollinate' by vibrating flowers, shaking out hidden pollen that helps plants create more seeds. - **Internal Heater:** The Yellow-faced Bumble Bee has a special ability to shiver its flight muscles to warm up, allowing it to forage in cooler weather. - **Pollen Basket Power:** The Yellow-faced Bumble Bee has special 'pollen baskets' on its legs that help them carry large loads of pollen back to their colony. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 18-35 mm - **Size:** 9-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1000 ## Diet & Feeding They drink sweet flower nectar for energy and gather pollen for their growing babies. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Asteraceae flowers, Fabaceae flowers, Lamiaceae flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Bush Lupine (*Lupinus arboreus*) — Helps this native plant produce seeds. - **Pollinates:** [California Poppy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-poppy) (*Eschscholzia californica*) — Transfers pollen for this iconic state flower. - **Eaten by:** [Goldenrod Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/goldenrod-crab-spider) (*Misumena vatia*) — Often ambushed by this camouflaged hunter. - **Eaten by:** [Western Kingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-kingbird) (*Tyrannus verticalis*) — Can be caught by this bird mid-flight. ## 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 Be gentle and quiet around bees. They are usually friendly and only sting if they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow-faced 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 Yellow-faced Bumble Bee's wingspan? 18-35 mm ### How big is Yellow-faced Bumble Bee? 9-22 mm ### How long does Yellow-faced Bumble Bee live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Yellow-faced Bumble Bee fly? 25 km/h ### What does Yellow-faced Bumble Bee eat? They drink sweet flower nectar for energy and gather pollen for their growing babies. ### Where is Yellow-faced Bumble Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Yellow-faced Bumble Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/antelope-valley-california-poppy-reserve-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park - [Pike Place Market](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pike-place-market) — Washington, US · Historic District - [South Coast Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/south-coast-botanic-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Bodega Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bodega-bay) — US · Natural Landmark - [Chinatown-International District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chinatown-international-district) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see Yellow-faced Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/yellow-faced-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: [Yellow-faced Bumble Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-faced-bumble-bee)