Bumblebee
ExploreInsects
Bumblebee
Bombus
Bumblebees are fuzzy and friendly insects that buzz around flowers. They are great at pollinating plants!
Habitat: Gardens and meadows
Appearance
The Bumblebee has a distinctly round, fuzzy body, often adorned with bold black and yellow (or sometimes orange/white) stripes. Its short wings and compact shape make it look much stockier and fluffier than slender honeybees. Unlike wasps, it lacks a noticeable 'waist' and its body is covered in dense hairs.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A bumblebee's wings beat about 200 times per second, making that famous buzzing sound!
Bumblebees can see colors, including ultraviolet light, which helps them spot hidden patterns on flowers.
Some queen bumblebees can live for up to a year, starting a new colony all by herself!
They don't make honeycombs; instead, they store nectar in wax pots and pollen in small chambers.
Special abilities
Ability
Vibrating Pollen Power
Bumblebee can vibrate its flight muscles to shake pollen loose from flowers because of sonication, which helps them collect more food.
Ability
Cold Weather Flier
Bumblebee has a special ability to warm up its body, allowing it to fly and forage even when it's too chilly for other bees.
Ability
Navigation Master
Bumblebee can remember complex flight routes and flower locations because of its excellent spatial memory, finding its way home.
Ability
Long-Tongue Drinker
Bumblebee has a long, straw-like tongue to reach deep nectar stores in many types of flowers, getting food others can't.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 25-60 mm
- Size
- 10-25 mm
- Lifespan
- 14-42 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
- Colony Size
- 400
Diet & Feeding
They feast on flower nectar for energy and pollen for protein to grow big and strong.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Pollen
- Honeydew (rarely)
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
A primary pollinator for this important agricultural crop.
pollinates
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Their long tongues can reach nectar deep within its spurs.
parasitizes
Thick-headed Fly
Physocephala tibialis
Larvae develop inside the bumblebee, killing the host.
eaten by
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Crows and other birds may catch them for food.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Bumblebee Bat
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bumblebee's wingspan?
25-60 mm
How big is Bumblebee?
10-25 mm
How long does Bumblebee live?
14-42 days
How fast can Bumblebee fly?
15 km/h
What does Bumblebee eat?
They feast on flower nectar for energy and pollen for protein to grow big and strong.
Where is Bumblebee usually found?
Gardens and meadows
How does Bumblebee hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Bumblebee have?
6
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