Commercially-reared
Guides
Bombus impatiens
Common Eastern Bumble Bee, common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens is a native North American bumble bee and the most commonly encountered bumblebee across much of eastern North America. The species exhibits high adaptability to diverse habitats including agricultural areas, suburbs, and urban environments, which has facilitated its widespread commercial use as a greenhouse pollinator. Colonies are founded annually by solitary queens and can exceed 450 individuals. The species has been introduced beyond its native range through commercial trade and serves as a key model organism for bumble bee research.
Tenebrio
Mealworms
Tenebrio is a genus of darkling beetles (family Tenebrionidae) containing approximately 11 extant species, including the widely known yellow mealworm (T. molitor) and dark mealworm (T. obscurus). Adults measure 12–18 mm in length and have a lifespan of 1–2 years. The larvae, commonly called mealworms, are minor pests of stored grain products but are also extensively reared commercially as food for pets, livestock, fish bait, and increasingly as a protein source for human consumption and animal feed.