Bumblebees belong to the genus Bombus within the family Apidae, under the order Hymenoptera, which also includes honeybees, wasps, and ants. This classification places them among some of the most efficient and complex pollinators in the insect world. They are easily recognized by their stout, hairy bodies and deep buzzing flight, traits that set them apart from many other flying insects.
These insects are known for their social behavior, living in colonies that are typically much smaller than those of honeybees. Each colony usually includes a queen, a number of female worker bees, and male drones. While their colonies only last a single season, they are organized and cooperative, with roles divided clearly among the members for foraging, defending, and caring for the young.
Bumblebees play an essential role in ecosystems as pollinators of both wild plants and crops. Their unique ability to perform “buzz pollination” — vibrating flowers to release pollen — allows them to pollinate certain plant species that other insects cannot. This ability makes them especially important for the pollination of tomatoes, peppers, and some wildflowers.
They are usually found in temperate regions and prefer habitats that offer a mix of floral resources and suitable nesting sites. These can include meadows, gardens, farmlands, and forest edges. Most often, they nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows or in clumps of grass and moss, depending on the local environment.
Bumblebees have a robust and furry body, which helps them retain heat and stay active in cooler temperatures, giving them a longer daily and seasonal foraging period compared to other bees. Their coloration typically consists of bands of black, yellow, or orange, which serve as a warning to predators about their ability to sting.
Though they can sting, bumblebees are generally non-aggressive and will only do so when threatened. Unlike honeybees, they can sting multiple times. Despite this defense, they face many natural threats including birds, spiders, and parasitic insects, as well as human-related dangers like pesticide exposure and habitat destruction.
Conservation of bumblebee populations is increasingly important as their numbers decline in many regions. Protecting flowering plants, preserving natural habitats, and reducing chemical use are all crucial steps in supporting these vital pollinators, which contribute not just to biodiversity but also to global food production and ecological balance.
Bumblebee (Bombus spp.)
American Bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus)
Once common across much of North America, this large, fuzzy bumblebee is black with a single broad yellow band on its thorax and a mostly yellow abdomen. It favors open areas like fields and prairies but has declined in many regions due to habitat loss and pesticide exposure.
Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens)
A highly adaptable species, this bumblebee has a black body with a bright yellow thorax and the first segment of the abdomen also yellow. It thrives in both natural and urban areas and is widely used in commercial pollination for crops like tomatoes and blueberries.
Rusty-Patched Bumblebee (Bombus affinis)
This endangered bumblebee is recognized by a distinct rusty-red patch on the upper part of its abdomen. Historically found across the Midwest and Northeast, its range has drastically shrunk. It prefers open woodlands, grasslands, and savannas.
Two-Spotted Bumblebee (Bombus bimaculatus)
Named for the two yellow spots on its abdomen, this medium-sized bumblebee is widespread in the eastern U.S. and is a common visitor to gardens. Its thorax is yellow and black, and it often nests underground or in grassy areas.
Yellow-Banded Bumblebee (Bombus terricola)
This species has a yellow band across the thorax and abdomen, giving it a striped appearance. Once widespread in the northern U.S. and Canada, it has declined in many areas. It inhabits boreal forests, meadows, and farmlands.
Western Bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)
With a white rump, black body, and yellow thorax, this species was once abundant across western North America. It has declined in some regions, but remains common in certain mountainous and forested areas.
Black-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus melanopygus)
This striking species has a black tail end, a bright orange-red middle, and a yellow thorax. It is commonly seen in the Pacific Northwest and California, often nesting in abandoned rodent burrows.
Red-Belted Bumblebee (Bombus rufocinctus)
Recognized by orange or red bands across its abdomen, this species varies widely in appearance. It inhabits forests, fields, and suburban areas across much of the U.S. and Canada. It is an agile flyer and visits a broad range of flowers.
Southern Plains Bumblebee (Bombus fraternus)
This large and rare species has a mostly black body with thin yellow bands. Native to the Great Plains and southeastern U.S., it prefers open prairie and grassland habitats and is currently considered a species of conservation concern.
Brown-Belted Bumblebee (Bombus griseocollis)
This bumblebee has a brown band across the abdomen and a yellow thorax. It is a generalist pollinator found in gardens, fields, and roadsides, and is especially common in eastern and central North America.
Confusing Bumblebee (Bombus perplexus)
Despite its name, this species is relatively easy to recognize by its yellow-and-black thorax and light bands on the abdomen. It’s found across much of Canada and the northeastern U.S. and prefers moist meadows and woodlands.
Nevada Bumblebee (Bombus nevadensis)
This is one of the largest North American bumblebees, with a robust body and golden-yellow thorax. Found in the western U.S., it frequents high-altitude meadows and desert flower patches, feeding on nectar from a variety of plants.
Half-Black Bumblebee (Bombus vagans)
This medium-sized bumblebee is named for its abdomen, which is half yellow and half black. It’s a ground-nesting species commonly found in meadows, old fields, and forest edges in eastern North America.
Morrison’s Bumblebee (Bombus morrisoni)
Identified by its yellow face and thorax and black mid-abdomen, this species is native to dry, open areas in the western U.S. It often forages on desert plants and is at risk due to habitat fragmentation and climate change.
Obscure Bumblebee (Bombus caliginosus)
This rare and specialized pollinator is mostly black with limited yellow markings and prefers the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. It has a strong preference for plants in the pea and mint families.
Indiscriminate Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus insularis)
Unlike most bumblebees, this one is a parasitic species that doesn’t build its own nest. It invades nests of other bumblebees and lays its eggs there. It’s found across northern and mountainous regions and has a mostly black body with variable yellow markings.
Golden Northern Bumblebee (Bombus fervidus)
This bumblebee stands out with its bright yellow coloration covering most of its body, including the thorax and abdomen. It is widespread in the northern and central U.S. and southern Canada, where it forages in meadows, farmlands, and gardens. It prefers long-tubed flowers and is a key pollinator of clover and wildflowers.
Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus fervidus californicus)
A subspecies of the golden northern bumblebee, this one is found primarily in the western United States, particularly in California. It shares the vibrant yellow body with minimal black markings, making it highly visible in grasslands and coastal scrub. It visits a wide variety of native and ornamental plants.
Suckley’s Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus suckleyi)
This obligate parasitic bumblebee does not build its own nest but instead invades the colonies of other bumblebees. It has a mostly black body with sparse yellow markings and is typically found in mountainous and northern regions. It is considered endangered due to the decline of its host species.
Ashton’s Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus ashtoni)
A rare parasitic species, it targets a small number of hosts and is distinguished by a black body with pale yellow bands. It is elusive and primarily found in northern and alpine meadows, often in close proximity to its host’s nest. Its rarity makes it of particular interest to conservation biologists.
Fernald’s Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus fernaldae)
This parasitic bumblebee mimics the appearance of its host and has a black-and-yellow banded body with subtle differences from similar species. It occurs in northeastern North America, where it infiltrates the nests of bumblebees like Bombus perplexus and Bombus rufocinctus.
Forest Bumblebee (Bombus sylvicola)
A high-altitude species found in the mountainous regions of the western U.S. and Canada, this bumblebee has a compact, rounded body with yellow bands on both the thorax and abdomen. It forages in alpine meadows and tundra, often on wildflowers adapted to cooler climates.
Frigid Bumblebee (Bombus frigidus)
Suited for cold environments, this species is found in northern forests and tundra zones. It has a black face, yellow thorax, and a mix of yellow and black on the abdomen. It’s a relatively small species that forages close to the ground on low-growing tundra plants.
White-Tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Recognized by its white tail and yellow thoracic bands, this species is more common in Europe but has relatives and records in North America. It prefers open habitats, such as meadows and gardens, and nests underground. Its clear white tail helps distinguish it from similarly colored species.
Northern Amber Bumblebee (Bombus borealis)
This species is native to northern forests and woodland edges, especially in Canada and the northern U.S. It has a golden-yellow thorax and dark abdomen, and is particularly attracted to native flowering plants. It nests underground and plays a key role in boreal ecosystems.
Sitka Bumblebee (Bombus sitkensis)
Found mainly in the Pacific Northwest, especially along the coast, this bumblebee has a striped yellow and black body with a grayish tail. It prefers cooler, moist environments and is commonly seen foraging in forest clearings and coastal meadows.
Central Bumblebee (Bombus centralis)
This small bumblebee is easily identified by its orange band on the middle of the abdomen and yellow thorax. It is found primarily in the western U.S., especially in dry grasslands, sagebrush regions, and foothill zones. It nests underground and prefers open, sunny spaces.
Range Bumblebee (Bombus bifarius)
Also known as the red-belted bumblebee in some areas, this species features a rust-colored or red band on its abdomen. It is native to western North America and is commonly found in open grasslands and mountain meadows. It’s a generalist pollinator visiting a wide array of native plants.
Vancouver Bumblebee (Bombus vancouverensis)
This species, recently split from Bombus bifarius, inhabits western Canada and the northwestern U.S., especially coastal and subalpine regions. It has yellow bands and a red-orange patch on the abdomen and is a frequent visitor to alpine wildflowers.
Bohemian Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus bohemicus)
A rare parasitic species in North America, it mimics the host bumblebee’s coloring to infiltrate and take over nests. It has black, yellow, and white banding, and its sightings are infrequent due to its reliance on other declining bumblebee species.
Sanderson’s Bumblebee (Bombus sandersoni)
Found in northeastern North America, this bumblebee is small and dark-colored, with some yellow markings. It prefers cool, moist woodlands and wetlands, and is an uncommon species with limited population data available.
Transverse-Banded Bumblebee (Bombus transversalis)
This tropical bumblebee, native to Central and South America, has had rare occurrences reported near the southern U.S. border. It is recognized by its horizontal abdominal stripes and is mostly found in lowland forests and tropical ecosystems.