Dumbfounding Facts About Bumblebees

If you spot a large and ponderous bee, black and yellow in color, in your garden, you can be pretty sure that it is a bumble bee. Here are some fascinating facts about this cousin of the honey bee.
Did you know???
The characteristic buzzing sound of the bumble bee is produced because of vibration of its flight muscles, and not because it flaps its wings - as it is widely believed. This mechanism is very important for the bees as it helps them warm up before the flight.
Bumble bees are fuzzy insects measuring about ¾-inch to 1-inch in length and make a characteristically loud buzzing sound as they hop from flower to flower, flying somewhat awkwardly. They are hairy creatures that display social traits by living together in colonies.
There exist more than 250 species of bumble bees, some of the most popular ones being the early bumble bee (Bombus pratorum), new garden bumble bee (Bombus hypnorum), western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), etc. They majorly populate the tropical and the temperate regions of the world, and are known to be very useful pollinators.
There exist more than 250 species of bumble bees, some of the most popular ones being the early bumble bee (Bombus pratorum), new garden bumble bee (Bombus hypnorum), western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), etc. They majorly populate the tropical and the temperate regions of the world, and are known to be very useful pollinators.
Some Interesting Facts About Bumble Bees
Fossil Evidence
It is believed that the evidence of the earliest fossil of a bumble bee comes from the Oligocene period, dating back to almost 30 million years ago.
Honey Bee Vs. Bumble Bee
Bumble bees and honey bees are distant cousins and are often confused with each other. The humble bumble bee, unlike the honey bee, is slow and gentle. Instead of dashing about everywhere, as the more streamlined honey bee does, this one lumbers along as it collects nectar and pollen in the garden.
Bumble Bee Nest
If you see a couple of nests in your garden, you can allow them to remain there without any fear, since the nests the bumble bees make are small, and hence they never swarm.
The Size Can Tell You A Lot
While the body of a honey bee is wasp-shaped, that of a bumble bee is furry and round. There are three prominant shapes, the Queen, which is large in size; the female worker bee, which is smaller; and the drone or male, which is comparatively tiny in size. Only the worker bees and the Queen possess a stinger.
The Humble Bees
Compared to the honey bee, the bumble bee is less aggressive. Usually, they never attack people at all, unless they feel threatened. Hence, if you see a couple of bumble bees in your vicinity, do not wave your arms about wildly. Just stand still and they will move away gently once they smell that you're not a flower with nectar and pollen.
Open Your Farm To The Bumble Bees
Allow the bumble bee to inhabit your farm or garden, and you will be repaid for your kindness by them pollinating your vegetables, fruits and flowers. These harmless creatures, just going about their business of collecting nectar and raising their young ones, will only add to the beauty of your surrounding.