Page 70 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Bumble Bee

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

Bumble Bee

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- short 6.Thorax- holding wings Bumble Bee
7.Petiole- none
2.Eyes 8.Abdomen- larger than body 5
9.Color- yellow & black 8
3.Head 10.Other
1
4.Legs- 6
6
5.Wings- 2 pair
Drawing by Andrew Schaible
Life Cycle
Fertilized Bumble bee queens must hibernate by digging a small chamber in the soil.
In spring, they reappear and establish a nest. The queen then builds a “honey pot”
and fills it with nectar, then builds a cell, usually from a mixture of wax and pollen,
for her eggs. The eggs of the first brood vary in number from 1 per cell to as many
as 10-12. The larvae hatch in 3-5 days. About 3 weeks are required for larval and
pupal development stages. If larvae receive ample food, they become queens, but if
partially starved, they become workers.

Actual size 1”

Bumble bees are found almost worldwide in distribution. Unlike most social insects, they are
most numerous in temperate climates. Occasionally, they are even found in Arctic zones. All
are nest builders and the colony consists of queens, drones, and workers. Bumble bee colonies
generally contain a few hundred individuals, although the population of a thriving colony may
reach between 1,000 and 2,000 bees.

These bees are the best pollinators in the world because of the size and the rapid movement of
their wings. They are sought after by tomato farmers who believe the pollination effectiveness of
one Bumble bee is worth several hundred honey bees. Bumble bees are easily recognized by
their size (about an inch) and color (all have black and yellow, most species have bands).

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