Bombus

Bombus is a genus of bumblebees, a group of social and semi-social bees belonging to the family Apidae. They are known for their robust bodies, distinctive buzzing sound, and important role in pollination. There are over 250 species of Bombus, which are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, although some species are also found in South America.

Description

Bombus species are characterized by their large, hairy bodies, which are often marked with bands of contrasting colors. These bees have a long tongue, which they use to extract nectar from flowers. The wings of Bombus are relatively small compared to their body size, but they are capable of rapid movement, allowing the bees to hover and fly with agility.

Behavior

Bombus bees are social insects that live in colonies. A typical Bombus colony consists of a single queen bee, female worker bees, and male drones. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, while the workers forage for food and maintain the nest. Drones' primary role is to mate with new queens.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Bombus begins in the spring when a mated queen emerges from hibernation. She searches for a suitable nesting site, often in abandoned rodent burrows or other sheltered locations. Once a nest is established, the queen lays eggs that hatch into larvae. These larvae are fed by the queen until they pupate and emerge as adult workers. The workers then take over foraging duties, allowing the queen to focus on egg-laying. In late summer, the colony produces new queens and drones, which leave the nest to mate. The old queen and workers die as winter approaches, while the newly mated queens hibernate until the next spring.

Pollination

Bombus bees are important pollinators for many wildflowers and agricultural crops. Their ability to buzz pollinate, or sonicate, makes them particularly effective at pollinating plants with poricidal anthers, such as tomatoes and blueberries. This behavior involves the bee grabbing onto a flower and vibrating its flight muscles to release pollen.

Conservation

Many Bombus species are facing threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting natural habitats, reducing pesticide exposure, and supporting research on Bombus biology and ecology.

Related Pages

• Bumblebee
• Pollination
• Queen bee
• Apidae
• Hibernation