Bumble Bees

In the world of insects, there are many interesting subjects. In this article we shall examine a member of the insect family. For the purpose of insect classification, an insect is defined as a small six-legged air-breathing animal with well-defined body segments.

As the weather begins to warm and flowers and trees burst into bloom, you are likely to see many insects flying about. Maybe the most intimidating of the flying bugs is the bumble bee. With its black and yellow, hairy body the bumble bee is quite an impressive figure. The bumble can appear a bit frightening when you see it buzzing about with its stinger descending from its underside.

Scientific classification: Genus- Bombus; Family- Apidae; Order- Hymenoptera.

There are fifty species of the bumble bee in North America and they usually reside in temperate climates. Bumble bees can control their body temperature. While this ability is not unique, it is rare. Only a few members of the insect world possess this ability. Doing colder weather the bumble bee can use the movement of its wings to increase body temperature. This allows them to function at lower temperatures than other bees and insects. Bumble bees also use their hairy coverings and large sized bodies as protection against the cold.

An interesting fact about bumble bees is that unlike their close relatives the honey bees, their colonies do not survive year round. When the warm weather disappears, so does the colony. The bumble bee’s survival is dependant upon hibernating queen bees, who will be responsible for repopulating the colony in the spring.

The survival of the bumble bee is important to humans. They are major pollinators of plants. These bees are vital in the production of crops vital to the Unites States economy such as corn, not to mention many other vegetables and fruits.