Quick Bumblebee ID Summary
Bumblebees are large, fuzzy bees with thick bodies and black-and-yellow banding. In Central Virginia, you’ll often see them moving between flowers, and many carry bright yellow pollen packs on their back legs. They usually nest in the ground in old rodent burrows or in sheltered cavities. They’re generally not aggressive unless their nest is disturbed.
Common characteristics
- Body Size: 0.6″ to 1″
- Common Characteristics: Have a hairy and black colored body with broad yellow bands
- Number of Legs: 6
- Wings: Two pairs of flat, thin, and transparent wings. Forwings are longer than the hindwings
- Habitat: Can live in grasslands, prairies, wetlands, and urban areas
Introduction to the Bumblebee
Bumblebees are vital to Virginia’s ecosystem. Tons of crops and other plants are pollinated by bumblebees. Their wings beat around 130 times per second, vibrating flowers until they release pollen. This pollination helps plants produce more fruits and vegetables. This behavior is called buzz pollination. Currently, 14 species of Bumblee call Virginia home. Bumblebees have experienced a steep population decline due to parasites, disease, habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and invasive species. Each bumblebee species is identified by different yellow and black markings on their thorax and abdomen.
Bumblebee Behavior
Bumblebees are peaceful insects that only attack if provoked. As stated in the Bumblebee introduction, their job as pollinators is important to the environment. Here in Virginia, bumblebees love to nest in the ground. A queen will find the nesting site, collect nectar and polling, and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into workers who build the colony, gather food, and care for the young. Towards the end of summer, the Queen will lay male and queen bee eggs. These eggs hatch and go off to find other queen bees to mate. The entire colony then dies during the late fall/early winter. The queen is the exception. She hibernates underground until spring.
Bumblebee Habitat
These bees are found everywhere in Central, VA. Their nests are usually around the size of a baseball or softball, with a dozen to a few hundred colony members. This is small compared to honeybees. They also prefer to nest in the ground using hollow trees, under grass, in hollow trees, or abandoned mouse holes. Sometimes, a colony will form in fiberglass-insulated voids in your walls, roofing, or deck. Because they are vital to the environment, if they nest in your home, call a pest control professional.
Bumblebee Threats and Dangers
As previously stated, bumblebees are docile unless provoked. Usually, the only time they sting is when the nest is disturbed. Only females can sting and they can sting more than once. However, they do not swarm like other species. Bumblebee stings are considered less painful than honeybees, but they are still dangerous if someone is allergic.
Do You Need Help With Bumblebees?
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