Bumble Bees
Bombini
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Family: Apidae
- Subfamily: Apinae
- Tribe: Bombini
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Bombini: /bɔmˈbiːni/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Bombini is a tribe of large, social bees known as bumble bees, characterized by their bristly bodies and role as pollinators. They contain a single genus, Bombus, and have both nest-forming and parasitic species.
Physical Characteristics
Large bristly apid bees with robust bodies.
Identification Tips
Identification can often be made by examining body size, coloration, and the presence of bristles on the body.
Habitat
Bumble bees are generally found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas.
Distribution
Bombini are distributed across various regions, primarily found in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in temperate zones.
Diet
They primarily feed on pollen and nectar from flowers.
Life Cycle
Many species are primitively eusocial, with a life cycle involving a queen, workers, and brood production, typically emerging in spring.
Reproduction
Reproduction involves the formation of colonies, with a single queen responsible for laying eggs that develop into workers and new queens.
Predators
Natural predators include birds, mammals, and predatory insects such as wasps.
Ecosystem Role
Bombini play a crucial role in pollination, supporting ecosystem health and agricultural productivity.
Economic Impact
As pollinators, bumble bees have significant economic importance in agriculture and horticulture.
Evolution
Long ago, pollen-collecting species were ranked as a subfamily or even a family, indicating a complex evolutionary history.
Misconceptions
Some people confuse bumble bees with honey bees; although similar, they exhibit different behaviors and nest structures.
Tags
- Bumblebee
- Pollination
- Ecosystem
- Apidae
- Hymenoptera