×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Common Eastern Bumble Bee


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/11
Image Credit: Barry M., taken in Lowndes County, GA
Full-sized image of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
2/11
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #2 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #2 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
3/11
Image Credit: Jack B.
Full-sized image #3 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #3 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
4/11
Image Credit: Elizabeth and Desmond L. from London, ON
Full-sized image #4 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #4 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
5/11
Image Credit: Elizabeth and Desmond L. from London, ON
Full-sized image #5 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #5 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
6/11
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #6 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #6 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
7/11
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #7 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #7 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
8/11
Image Credit: Rudy W. from VA
Full-sized image #8 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #8 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
9/11
Image Credit: Gary R., taken Colchester Causeway in Vermont
Full-sized image #9 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #9 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
10/11
Image Credit: Elizabeth and Desmond L. from London, ON
Full-sized image #10 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #10 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee
11/11
Image Credit: Hugo B., taken in SC
Full-sized image #11 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #11 of the Common-Eastern-Bumble-Bee

The ubiquitous Common Eastern Bumble Bee is a busy, buzzing pollinator that helps gardens bloom and crops flourish.



Updated: 03/26/2024; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Fuzzy and loud, the Common Eastern Bumble Bee is an industrious workhorse. Like other bumble bees, it is covered in hairs. This species sports a black head and yellow hairs on its thorax. A shiny black bald spot in the center is typical. The abdomen has a single band of yellow hairs near the waist. The rest of it is covered in black, velvety hairs on each segment.

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee is the most often seen bumble bee in North America. It flies from flower to flower, drinking nectar and collecting pollen. The pollen grains get inadvertently dusted onto the body of the bee. As a bee moves deeper into various flowers, pollen grains fall onto flower pistils (female parts of the flower) and pollination occurs. Pollen grains are deliberately collected by the bumble bee and placed into special pouches on its legs called pollen baskets. Once full, the Common Eastern Bumble Bee will return to its colony and deliver the pollen. The pollen is then taken to special cells to feed larvae.

This social bee form large colonies. It is able to fly at higher, colder altitudes compared to other kinds of bumble bees. Like all insects, cold temperatures slow them down, but they are hardy insects and remain active later into autumn than other species. Bumble bees are unable to survive cold winters, however, and all but the young, future queens die. In the spring, these young queens will lay eggs and begin a new colony of bees.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Hairy insect icon
Helpful insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Hymenoptera
        Family: Apidae
View More
          Genus: Bombus
View More
            Species: impatiens

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Bombus impatiens
Category: Bee, Ant, Wasp and Similar
Size (Adult; Length): 9mm to 21mm (0.35" to 0.82")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; yellow
Descriptors: fuzzy; hairy; pollen; baskets; flying; helpful


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 9mm (0.4in) and 21mm (0.8in)
Lo: 9mm
Md: 15mm
Hi: 21mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Common Eastern Bumble Bee may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Common Eastern Bumble Bee. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)