American Bumble Bee
Bombus pensylvanicus
What it is
Bombus pensylvanicus, the American bumblebee or Sonoran bumblebee, is a threatened species of bumblebee native to North America. It occurs in eastern Canada, throughout much of the United States, and much of Mexico.
Where and when to find it
- Habitat
- You can find American Bumble Bees in open spots like meadows, prairies, gardens, and pastures across the eastern and central US.
- How to find it
- Look for them visiting colorful flowers in sunny areas during the day. They are larger and rounder than honeybees.
- Best time of day
- Daytime, from late spring through early fall.
How it lives
- What it eats
- Nectar and pollen from flowers
- What eats it
- Birds, spiders, praying mantises, some small mammals
Worth knowing
- Bumble bees can 'buzz pollinate', shaking pollen out of flowers.
- Only the queen bee lives through the winter.
- They have strong jaws to bite into flowers to reach nectar.
- They are not aggressive and usually only sting if they feel threatened.
- Their hives are often underground in old rodent burrows.
- Some plants can't make seeds without a bumble bee visit!
Why it matters
This bee is a super pollinator, moving pollen between flowers. This helps plants make fruits and seeds, which feed many other animals.