
Community identification
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
- Order & Family
- Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Apidae
- Size
- 8 to 21 mm (0.3 to 0.8 inches), with queens being significantly larger than workers or drones.
Natural Habitat
Found in temperate regions including gardens, fields, parks, and woodlands across North America.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on nectar for energy and pollen for protein, acting as a generalist forager for many flower species.
Behavior Patterns
Eusocial insects that form colonies with a single queen; they exhibit 'buzz pollination' by vibrating their wings to release pollen.
Risks & Benefits
Highly beneficial as a primary pollinator for wild plants and commercial crops; can sting if threatened, though they are generally non-aggressive.