Bug Identifier
Bumblebee (likely a worker)
Community identification

Bumblebee (likely a worker)

Bombus species

Order & Family
Hymenoptera; Apidae
Size
About 8–22 mm (0.3–0.9 in), depending on species and caste.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Flower-rich gardens, meadows, woodland edges, and urban areas; this individual is resting on a window screen.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed mainly on nectar and collect pollen to provision larvae. They are important pollinators, using their hairy bodies and sometimes buzz-pollination.

Behavior Patterns

Usually social, living in seasonal colonies founded by a spring queen; workers forage during daylight and may nest underground or in cavities. Identification to species is difficult because the image is blurred.

Risks & Benefits

Generally nonaggressive unless handled or the nest is disturbed; females can sting. Bumblebees provide valuable pollination for wild plants and crops, though many species face habitat loss and pesticide threats.