Bug Identifier
Bumblebee
Community identification

Bumblebee

Bombus spp.

Order & Family
Order: Hymenoptera, Family: Apidae
Size
10 mm to 25 mm (0.4 to 1.0 inch) depending on the caste and species.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Meadows, gardens, and woodlands with abundant flowering plants, where they nest underground or in sheltered cavities.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen collected from flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Eusocial insects living in colonies with a queen, workers, and drones. They practice buzz pollination to release pollen from flowers.

Risks & Benefits

Extremely beneficial as major pollinators for wildflowers and agricultural crops. They are generally docile and only sting if directly provoked or if their nest is threatened.