INSECTA

A closer look · Insect guide

Bumble Bees

Genus Bombus

Bumble bees are important pollinators of wildflowers and crops, including tomatoes and blueberries.

Where can you watch bumble bees?

Watch flower visitors from a comfortable distance. Different flowers offer different opportunities to observe a bee landing, feeding and leaving.

What if you find a bumble bee nest?

The University of Minnesota Bee Lab advises observing from a safe distance and avoiding disturbance of the soil or other nest features. Do not try to relocate it.

How can you check an identification?

A clear photograph can help specialists assess a possible bumble bee. The Bee Lab points observers to Bumble Bee Watch and iNaturalist for photo-based identification.

Try one observation

Choose a flower patch away from a nest. Write down which flower receives a visit and how long the visitor stays.

Observe without handling or collecting. These clues are a starting point, not a confirmed identification.

Source & further reading

University of Minnesota Bee Lab — Bumble bees

Published . Short introductory summary; consult the source for detail and regional context.

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