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

American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus)


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


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image of the American-Bumble-Bee
2/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #2 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #2 of the American-Bumble-Bee
3/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #3 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #3 of the American-Bumble-Bee
4/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #4 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #4 of the American-Bumble-Bee
5/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #5 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #5 of the American-Bumble-Bee
6/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #6 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #6 of the American-Bumble-Bee
7/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #7 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #7 of the American-Bumble-Bee
8/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #8 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #8 of the American-Bumble-Bee
9/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #9 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #9 of the American-Bumble-Bee
10/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #10 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #10 of the American-Bumble-Bee
11/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #11 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #11 of the American-Bumble-Bee
12/15
Image Credit: Image copyright www.InsectIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted
Full-sized image #12 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #12 of the American-Bumble-Bee
13/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #13 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #13 of the American-Bumble-Bee
14/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #14 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #14 of the American-Bumble-Bee
15/15
Image Credit: Dave and Glenda E. from Swaledale, IA
Full-sized image #15 of the American-Bumble-Bee Thumbnail image #15 of the American-Bumble-Bee

The iconic yellow and black American Bumble Bee is a classic summertime friend doing tremendous amounts of good for plants and virtually no harm to people.



Updated: 04/18/2023; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
Similar to Golden Northern Bumblebee (Bombus fervidus) but larger, the American Bumble Bee has black coloring just behind the wings. One to three stripes of yellow appear on its abdominal segments. They have hairs all over their yellow and black bodies. The back legs have pollen baskets (pouches that are used to hold pollen grains that are collected from flowers). If a bee is having a good day, you will be able to see the full baskets, overflowing with orange or yellow pollen. They do have smooth stingers and can use them repeatedly, but they are not aggressive and are unlikely to take notice of people and pets that aren't attacking them or their nest.

Bumble bees are industrious pollinators. They forage for pollen and nectar all over meadows, parks, open fields, gardens and forests. The type of flower they collect from is immaterial. Some flowers hide their pollen inside the anther (male part of the flower) and Bumblebees are able to shake it out by rapidly vibrating their bodies and the anther. This motion creates a loud buzzing noise with a slightly higher pitch from the buzz heard in flight. This special extraction method is called buzz pollination. They can also use their tongues to collect nectar from flowers. They may use some of that flower nectar to make small amounts of honey, placing it in small honey pots; they do not create large honeycombs for long-term storage like Honeybees. Their small amounts of honey are not stored for more than a few days though, as it is eaten quickly, and it is not harvested for human consumption.

They are beneficial insects, helping to pollinate crops, orchards and garden plants. Sadly, it is one of many types of bees whose numbers are declining for a variety of reasons. Habitat loss, pesticide use, pollution and mites are reducing the number of bee colonies in the U.S.. Without these small workers, most plants would need to be pollinated by hand. Birds and wind pollination are usually specific to certain plants and cannot be relied on to do the work of a population 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
Pollinator insect icon
Insect stinger icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


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

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Bombus pensylvanicus
Other Name(s): Bumble Bee
Category: Bee, Ant, Wasp and Similar
Size (Adult; Length): 10mm to 23mm (0.39" to 0.90")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; yellow
Descriptors: stinger; fuzzy; hairy; furry; striped; stinging; flying; helpful; pollinator


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 10mm (0.4in) and 23mm (0.9in)
Lo: 10mm
Md: 16.5mm
Hi: 23mm

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 American 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 American 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 JoroSpider.org

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)