Insect
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Size
11â22 mm bodyAbout the length of a finger nail
Weight
0.4 gAbout the weight of a small raindrop
Lifespan
Workers: 2â6 weeks; queens: 1 year
Rarity
Common
M vs F
Queens are the largest; workers are smaller; males have yellow facial hair and longer antennae
Habitat
Gardens, meadows, woodland edges, hedgerows â wherever long-tubed flowers are found
Best time
AprilâOctober
Conservation
UK: Green
LC
💡 Did you know?
The Garden Bumblebee has the longest tongue of any UK bumblebee â enabling it to reach nectar in deep tubular flowers like foxgloves and honeysuckle that other bees can't access
Bumblebees can 'buzz pollinate' (sonication) â gripping a flower and vibrating their flight muscles at a precise frequency to shake out pollen that's hidden inside closed anthers
Often confused with
White-tailed Bumblebee (shorter face
three yellow bands)
Early Bumblebee (smaller
orange-red tail)
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