Animal Profiles
Insects

Bumblebee

Bombus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Bumblebees are social bees that gather nectar and pollen. This account follows the common eastern bumblebee, a widespread North American species whose colonies are normally founded by a single queen.

Common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) visiting a flower.

Common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) visiting a flower.

Sixflashphoto · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Bombus impatiens is the representative used here. It occupies eastern North American grasslands, farms, woodland margins and towns. Colonies usually nest underground, with workers visiting flowers through the warmer months.
Habitat
Grassland, Temperate forest, Towns and cities
Diet
Nectarivore
Food
Workers collect nectar and pollen while pollinating visited plants.

Classification

Common name
Bumblebee
Browse group
Insects
Scientific name or taxon
Bombus
Source classification
Insecta

Three things to know

  • Colonies usually nest underground.
  • A queen founds the colony.
  • Workers gather nectar and pollen.

Habitat and range

Bombus impatiens is the representative used here. It occupies eastern North American grasslands, farms, woodland margins and towns. Colonies usually nest underground, with workers visiting flowers through the warmer months.

Appearance and adaptations

Pale yellow hairs cover much of the thorax, contrasting with darker areas on the head and abdomen. Queens are larger than workers. Males and females also differ in facial colouring.

Diet and behaviour

Workers collect nectar and pollen while pollinating visited plants. The colony develops from a queen's first brood, after which workers care for young and gather food. Colony roles differ among queens, workers and males.

Sources

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