Did you know that new fertilized common eastern bumble bee queens hibernate underground during winter, the rest of the colonies die?
Common Eastern Bumble bees
at
a Glance
Key Features:
Common eastern bumble bees are hairy and black with a yellow band around their abdomens. Females have stingers.
Least Concern - Population Stable
Habitat:
Forests, gardens, and fields
nesting habits:
Queen common eastern bumble bees can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day from spring until fall. Fertilized eggs become workers and unfertilized eggs become drones. Worker bees can lay unfertilized eggs.
seasons common eastern bumble bees are active in our area:
Spring, summer, fall
Diet:
Nectar and honey
hunting Behavior:
Common eastern bumble bees pollinate when they forage. They also make some honey.
Commonly Confused With:
American Bumble Bees and Eastern Carpenter Bees
Common eastern bumble bees are often confused with American bumble bees because both are hairy, black and yellow bumblebees. American bumble bees have yellow backs and black abdomins.
Common eastern bumble bees are often confused with eastern carpenter bees because both are black and yellow and have hair. Eastern carpenter bees do not have hair on their abdomens and are shiny.