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Photo: G. Bradley |
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Latin name: Bombus terrestris
Size: Approximately 16mms from head to tail.
Distribution: Found throughout the UK.
Months seen: February to October.
Life Span: Approximately 9 to 12 months
Habitat: Meadows, parks and gardens.
Food: Nectar.
Special features: The 'buff-tailed bumble bee' seen in this photo is the largest of the
25 species of bumble bee recorded in the U.K. Although they are quite a large insect they are relatively harmless, and will only sting if provoked.
They make a distinctive droning, buzzing sound as they fly.
Only the fertilised females survive the cold winter months, all the males die
off in late autumn.
The females take to the wing as early as February, after sheltering through the cold winter months.
When they
wake up after their winter hibernation without food, their first priority is to find
food and a nest site to lay their eggs.
Bumble bees feed on pollen and nectar. The pollen provides them with proteins
and the nectar supplies them with sugar for energy. As they feed, they perform a vital role in pollinating many plants and trees.
With their energy levels restored, the females begin nest building. The nest is usually a hole in a sand bank, or an old mouse hole, which often contains the added luxury of some old mouse bedding.
They are social bees, and a nest, or colony, may contain up to 150 bees. This is quite a small number compared to a honey bee nest which can have over 50,000
bees.
How Bumble Bees Got Their Name
How to Repair a Bumble Bee
How to Build a Bumble Bee House - Members Only
UK Safari Creepy-Crawlies Section
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