Garden Bumblebee
Bombus hortorum
This record describes Bombus hortorum (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A relatively large bee. Lengths, queen 17-20 mm, workers 11-16 mm, male 14-15 mm. Bombus hortorum has a long head and a slimmer body than some other Bombus species. The collar, scutellum and 1st abdominal segment are yellow, the tail is white. A rather scruffy looking long haired species. Pollen basket with black hair. Often seen in gardens as well as woodland edge and scrub areas, Bombus hortorum prefers flowers such as Red Clover, Cowslips, Foxglove, Vetches and Lavender. Colonies contain between 50 and 120 insects, and are present between late April and early October. The queen is the only member of a colony to survive the winter, they emerge in April and begin to search for a suitable place in which to establish a nest. Nests are typically made underground, in banks and among tree roots, or occasionally above ground in bird boxes. They are short-lived with an average life of around 14 weeks. This species is one of the commonest and most widespread of bumblebees in Britain.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Apidae
- Genus
- Bombus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Often seen in gardens as well as woodland edge and scrub areas,
Seasonal Activity
Late April to early October.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Colonies contain between 50 and 120 insects, and are present between late April and early October. The queen is the only member of a colony to survive the winter, they emerge in April and begin to search for a suitable place in which to establish a nest. Nests are typically made underground, in banks and among tree roots, or occasionally above ground in bird boxes. They are short-lived with an average life of around 14 weeks.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is one of the commonest and most widespread of bumblebees in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus hortorum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Garden Bumblebee (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Bumblebee
What is Garden Bumblebee?
Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Garden Bumblebee found?
Habitat: Often seen in gardens as well as woodland edge and scrub areas,
When is Garden Bumblebee active?
Garden Bumblebee: seasonal activity - Late April to early October..
What is the life cycle of a Garden Bumblebee?
Colonies contain between 50 and 120 insects, and are present between late April and early October. The queen is the only member of a colony to survive the winter, they emerge in April and begin to search for a suitable place in which to establish a nest. Nests are typically made underground, in banks and among tree roots, or occasionally above ground in bird boxes. They are short-lived with an average life of around 14 weeks.