Buff-tailed bumblebee or Large earth bumblebee

Scientific Name: Bombus terrestris

Order & Family: Hymenoptera: Apidae

Size: Workers: 11-17 mm, Queens: 20-22 mm, Drones: 14-16 mm

Buff-tailed bumblebee or Large earth bumblebee

Natural Habitat

Gardens, meadows, woodlands, and agricultural areas across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects that nest in underground burrows, often in former rodent holes. They have a complex social structure with a single queen and multiple workers. They are active from early spring through autumn.

Risks & Benefits

Exceptional pollinators vital for ecosystem health and agriculture. While they can sting if threatened, they are generally non-aggressive. As an introduced species in some regions, they can compete with native bees.

Identified on: 6/29/2026