Insect 🐝
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Bombus terrestris
| Size | Workers 11–17 mm, Queens up to 22 mm Queen is about the length of a small grape |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.85 g (queen) About the same as a small paperclip |
| Lifespan | Workers 2–6 weeks, Queen up to 1 year |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Queens are much larger than workers. Males have a yellow facial patch and more yellow body hair; they cannot sting. |
| Habitat | Gardens, meadows, hedgerows, farmland, heathland |
| Best time | February–November — queens emerge first in early spring |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
Bumblebees can warm up their flight muscles by shivering! On cold mornings you can see them vibrating to reach flying temperature before take-off. They also buzz at the exact right frequency to shake pollen loose from flowers — a trick honeybees can't do.
Bumblebees can warm up their flight muscles by shivering! On cold mornings you can see them vibrating to reach flying temperature before take-off. They also buzz at the exact right frequency to shake pollen loose from flowers — a trick honeybees can't do.
More for experts
Buff-tailed Bumblebees use a 'buzz pollination' technique at 400 Hz that resonates certain flowers to release pollen — tomato plants cannot release pollen any other way, making them essential in commercial greenhouses worldwide.
Often confused with
White-tailed Bumblebee, Red-tailed Bumblebee
White-tailed Bumblebee, Red-tailed Bumblebee