No, bumble bees are not aggressive. It is very rare to be stung by a bumble bee, even though they have the ability to sting multiple times in a row. Almost all bumble bee species are gentle-natured and reluctant to sting unless provoked. Bumble bees can sting many times before they die. Bumble bees only sting when they are provoked. Only female bumble bees have stingers. Some people are allergic to bees and can have a dangerous reaction. Signs of an anaphylaxis reaction include difficulty breathing, dizziness or confusion, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, skin rash or itching, swelling of the face, throat or mouth. Bumble bees are one species of the vast bee family which consists of 20,000 species. Bumble bees have five eyes, stiff hair strands on their hind legs, and a honey stomach for gathering nectar. Bumble bees have a stocky body which gives them a rather tubby appearance. They can be orange and black or red and black.
Only female bumble bees have stingers. But they are so good-natured that getting a female to sting you is a major undertaking. At the beginning of Spring, queen bees find an abandoned rodent burrow to call home. Unlike honey bees, bumble bees can sting more than once. Bumble bees can be found all over the world, but they do prefer cooler and temperate climates the most. Most male and worker bumble bees live for 28 days. Bumble bee stingers are straight and narrow, like a sewing needle. Honey bees have a barbed stinger that gets lodged into a person’s skin and ripped from the bee. Do not use a tweezers to remove a bee stinger because it can squeeze and release more venom. Honey bees mainly pollinate open flowers, while bumble bees collect nectar even from flowers whose nectar is closed in a tube. Another noticeable difference is honey bee’s flight has a higher-pitched hum.
Bumble bees live underground in nests. Some honey bee breeds are much more aggressive than bumble bees. Bumble bees are not as aggressive and likely to sting as are hornets and yellowjackets. Males cannot sting. Although both bee varieties are relatively docile, a bumble bee is likelier to sting than a honey bee. If you are planning to nurture these fuzzy colonies together with their nests and beehive, you need to take all types of precautions beforehand.
Are bumble bees friendly?
The bumble bee is the largest and gentlest of all the known species of bees. Bumblebees rarely string humans. Only female bumble bees can sting. But they only sting when truly provoked. Bumble bees do not produce honey like honey bees! Bumble bees can sting many times before they die. There are about 200 types of bumblebees. Unlike honey bees, bumblebees live alone in small colonies and don’t swarm. So don’t be afraid of the friendly furry bumble bee. However the species Bombus hypnorum can be more aggressive. Their nests are fiercely guarded. Yes bees like humans who care for them. Bees detect faces so recognize their caretakers. Bumble bees vibrate wings while biting flower stamens to pollinate tomatoes, peppers, fruit trees and bushes. Some bumblebees steal nectar by making a hole near flower base. Bumble bees are good pollinators for greenhouses. They forage using colour and relationships to identify feeding flowers. The most significant danger bumblebees pose is stinging when defending nest. Their stinger is smooth unlike honeybees. So it doesn’t fall off and they can sting multiple times. An impressive plant for gardens. What helps bees is including many bee-friendly flowers and plants. This feeds bees ensuring survival. Bumble bees cling lethargically to flowers when close to death. Then drop off and you may find dead ones near bee-friendly plants.
What are bumble bees known for?
Bumble bees are known for their tireless work to collect nectar and pollen for the colony. They travel long distances every day. Their large, fluffy bodies make them excellent pollinators. They play an role in the ecosystem by transferring pollen from one plant to another.
Bumble bees don’t produce honey. But they make honey pots to store nectar as food. They can vibrate wings to release pollen. There are over 250 bumble bee species worldwide. Each has unique coloration and patterns. This makes them distinguishable.
Bumble bees are bigger than honey bees. They have more fuzzy appearance. Their hairy bodies collect pollen well. Bumble bees pollinate plants in nature. This keeps ecosystems healthy. They also pollinate many crops.
In fall, bumble bees need nectar to store food for winter. Most gardens die out by fall. So food is scarce. Plant fall blooming flowers. So bumble bees have enough to forage. Grow lavender, salvia, and other fall bloomers.
The fat body is important for winter bees. Bumblebees are larger in girth than bees. They have more hairs and yellow, orange, black colors.
Honey bees have less hair and transparent wings. Distinguishing features of the two species are essential. Appreciating their attributes is key.
Is Bumble bee same as honey bee?
Honey bees and bumblebees are often confused. The truth is, these two bees are similar, but they belong to different genera.
Bumblebees are generally more black than yellow in color. Honey bees are more slender and smooth-looking, while bumblebees are fuzzy and more round in shape. Bumblebee colonies may number up to 400 bees, honey bee colonies can contain 60,000 bees.
Honey bees can only sting once, as their stinger is barbed and sticks in the skin. Bumblebees can sting multiple times.
Usually, honey bees and bumblebees are not aggressive. There are situations where honey bees may become aggressive – genetics, when disturbed.
Bumblebees and honey bees both feed on nectar. Bumblebees use a different method – they bite a hole at the base of the flower and suck the nectar through it.
Bumblebee colonies are typically much smaller, up to a few hundred bees. Honeybee colonies can have tens of thousands of bees.
Bumblebees visit a wider variety of flowers than honey bees. They are attracted to flowers with long, tubular shapes.
The size of a bumblebee queen is about 20-33 mm, larger than her workers. Carpenter bees are 1⁄2 to 1 inch long. Male carpenter bees cannot sting.
Bumble bees require more pollen than honeybees. Bumble bees are often better suited for greenhouse conditions due to their adaptability.
A bumble bee sting is less painful than a wasp or honey bee sting. Bumble bees can sting multiple times.
Honey bee queens live up to 3 years. Bumblebee queens last about a year before an offspring takes over. Male bees cannot sting. A honey bee female stings only once, a bumblebee female multiple times.