🐝 Ants, Bees & Wasps

Great Yellow Bumblebee

Bombus distinguendus

Near Threatened

About Great Yellow Bumblebee

A large strikingly yellow bumblebee with a band of darker hair. One of the rarest bumblebees in Britain.

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Did You Know?

Now restricted to a few Scottish islands and the far north coast, having disappeared from 80 percent of its range.

How to Identify Great Yellow Bumblebee

Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Apidae. Adults typically measure 15-22mm.

Great Yellow Bumblebee Habitat

Great Yellow Bumblebee is found in beaches & coastal habitats, particularly across Europe. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.

Great Yellow Bumblebee Diet and Feeding

Great Yellow Bumblebee is a herbivore, feeding on plant material including leaves, stems, flowers, and other vegetation. Herbivorous insects play a significant role in ecosystems by influencing plant growth and serving as a food source for predators.

Where Is Great Yellow Bumblebee Found?

Great Yellow Bumblebee can be found in Europe, where it inhabits beaches & coastal environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.

Distribution Map

Where Great Yellow Bumblebee can be found

Is Great Yellow Bumblebee Dangerous?

Great Yellow Bumblebee 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.

Great Yellow Bumblebee Role in Nature

Great Yellow Bumblebee is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Feb
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Dec
Peak activity Moderate Low / dormant

Frequently Asked Questions About Great Yellow Bumblebee

What does Great Yellow Bumblebee look like?

The Great Yellow Bumblebee typically measures 15-22mm.

Where is Great Yellow Bumblebee found?

The Great Yellow Bumblebee is found in Europe and typically inhabits beaches & coastal environments.

What does Great Yellow Bumblebee eat?

The Great Yellow Bumblebee feeds on plant material including leaves, stems, and other vegetation.

Is Great Yellow Bumblebee dangerous to humans?

The Great Yellow Bumblebee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.

Is Great Yellow Bumblebee endangered?

The Great Yellow Bumblebee is currently classified as Near Threatened by conservation assessments. Habitat loss and environmental changes are among the primary threats to its population.

What is an interesting fact about Great Yellow Bumblebee?

Now restricted to a few Scottish islands and the far north coast, having disappeared from 80 percent of its range.

Cite This Page

APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/great-yellow-bumblebee

MLA:
"Great Yellow Bumblebee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/great-yellow-bumblebee.