🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

About Common Eastern Bumble Bee

A robust fuzzy bumble bee with a black body and yellow thoracic band that is widely used as a commercial greenhouse pollinator. It is the most abundant bumble bee in eastern North America.

πŸ’‘

Did You Know?

It can perform buzz pollination by vibrating its flight muscles at a specific frequency to shake pollen from flowers like tomatoes.

How to Identify Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Apidae. Adults typically measure 8-23 mm.

Common Eastern Bumble Bee Habitat

Common Eastern Bumble Bee is found in underground habitats, particularly across Eastern North America. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Common Eastern Bumble Bee Diet and Feeding

Common Eastern Bumble Bee feeds primarily on nectar from flowers. In doing so, it acts as an important pollinator, transferring pollen between plants and contributing to plant reproduction and biodiversity.

Where Is Common Eastern Bumble Bee Found?

Common Eastern Bumble Bee can be found in Eastern North America, where it inhabits underground environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Common Eastern Bumble Bee can be found

Is Common Eastern Bumble Bee Dangerous?

Common Eastern Bumble Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Common Eastern Bumble Bee Role in Nature

Common Eastern Bumble Bee plays an important role as a pollinator. By visiting flowers to feed on nectar or pollen, it transfers pollen between plants, aiding in reproduction and helping to maintain plant diversity. Pollinators are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Common Eastern Bumble Bee

What does Common Eastern Bumble Bee look like?

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee typically measures 8-23 mm.

Where is Common Eastern Bumble Bee found?

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee is found in Eastern North America and typically inhabits underground environments.

What does Common Eastern Bumble Bee eat?

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee feeds primarily on nectar from flowers.

Is Common Eastern Bumble Bee dangerous to humans?

The Common Eastern Bumble Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

What is an interesting fact about Common Eastern Bumble Bee?

It can perform buzz pollination by vibrating its flight muscles at a specific frequency to shake pollen from flowers like tomatoes.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/common-eastern-bumble-bee

MLA:
"Common Eastern Bumble Bee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/common-eastern-bumble-bee.