Bug Identifier
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.