Bumble Bee

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Common names:  Bumble Bee

Scientific name:  Bombus

Region:  Many species throughout North America.

Life cycle:  Several broods every year.  Most die in the winter leaving only the younger queens who hibernate in well-protected spots.

Feeding characteristics:  As with the honey bees, the workers feed on the nectar of a variety of plants and are excellent and much needed pollinators.  While on each gathering trip, they visit many different plant species, making them less efficient than honey bees.

Physical Description:  This bee is black, very fuzzy and sometimes sports a yellow band on the abdomen.  There are spurs behind the hind legs and that grow to a length of 1/3 to 1 inch.  The eggs are laid in or on the ground.