Table of contents
Recognizing the Garden Bumblebee
The Garden Bumblebee is easy to recognize with its long tongue, striking black and yellow stripes, and a white tail. Its slender body sets it apart from similar species like the Large Garden Bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus). Learn more about identifying different types of bees, with our comprehensive bee identification guide.
Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
- Common Name: Garden Bumblebee
- Latin Name: Bombus hortorum
- Size: 11-16 mm
- Location: Widely distributed across the UK and Europe
- Active Months: March to October
- Habitat: Gardens, meadows, hedgerows, and urban areas
- Nesting Behaviour: Ground nests in abandoned rodent burrows or dense vegetation
- Social Behaviour: Social, with colonies consisting of queens, workers, and males
- Flora & Fauna: Foxgloves, honeysuckle, clovers, and other tubular flowers
- UK Status: Stable but facing challenges from habitat loss and pesticide use
Extended Active Season
Unlike many other bees, Bombus hortorum stays active from early spring through late autumn. This long season means it provides essential pollination for a wide range of plants over several months.
Supporting the Ecosystem
Bombus hortorum play a crucial role in pollinating both wildflowers and garden plants. Thanks to their long tongues, they can reach nectar in tubular flowers that other bees often cannot access, ensuring these plants thrive.
Why the Garden Bumblebee Matters
These bumblebees are vital for maintaining biodiversity. By pollinating a variety of plants, they help sustain ecosystems and contribute to food security for other species.
Capturing Curiosity
Have you ever wondered how some bees access nectar from deep flowers? The Bumblebee’s long tongue is a marvel of evolution, allowing it to reach places other pollinators can’t.
How You Can Help
To help an bee species thrive, you can:
- Plant Native Flowers: Choose tubular flowers like foxgloves, honeysuckle, and lavender to provide them with abundant food.
- Avoid Pesticides: Opt for organic gardening methods to create a safe, chemical-free environment.
- Provide Nesting Sites: Leave areas of long grass or install bumblebee boxes to give them a safe place to live.
Even small changes in your garden can make a big difference for these pollinators. Discover additional tips on how to create a bee-friendly environment with this helpful guide from the WWF.
FAQ
1. What makes the Garden Bumblebee unique? They have an exceptionally long tongue allows it to feed on deep tubular flowers, which many other bees cannot reach.
2. How can I attract Bombus hortorum to my garden? Plant native tubular flowers such as foxgloves and honeysuckle, avoid using chemicals, and provide safe nesting areas to encourage their presence.
3. Are Garden Bumblebees endangered? While not endangered, their populations face significant threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and the effects of climate change.
4. What are the best flowers for Garden Bumblebees? Tubular flowers like foxgloves, honeysuckle, lavender, and clovers are excellent for providing nectar and pollen.
5. Do Garden Bumblebees sting? Garden Bumblebees are generally gentle and only sting when they feel threatened or provoked.
6. Where do Bombus hortorum make their nests? They typically nest in abandoned rodent burrows, dense vegetation, or other sheltered ground-level spots.
7. How long do Garden Bumblebees live? Worker bees live for a few weeks, while queens can survive up to a year, hibernating through the winter.
8. What do Bombus hortorum larvae eat? Larvae are fed a nutritious mix of nectar and pollen by worker bees to ensure healthy development.
9. Are Garden Bumblebees affected by climate change? Yes, climate change disrupts their food sources and nesting habitats by altering flowering seasons and temperatures.
By taking simple actions, we can all play a part in protecting the Garden Bumblebee and supporting our local ecosystems.
