Tree Bumblebee
Bombus hypnorum
This record describes Bombus hypnorum (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Queens, workers and males all tend to have black heads, tawny or darker gingery brown thorax, and a blackish abdomen with a white tail. There is considerable variation with some very dark examples whilst others are predominantly tawny. April to July peaking from late May to June. Have been recorded several times nesting in bird boxes in the UK. First recorded in the UK in 2001 it is expanding its range steadily, but is still most frequent in the south-east.
Wikipedia reference for Bombus hypnorum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_hypnorum.
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 visiting flowers.
Seasonal Activity
April to July peaking from late May to June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Have been recorded several times nesting in bird boxes in the UK.
Additional species information
Recorded status
First recorded in the UK in 2001 it is expanding its range steadily, but is still most frequent in the south-east.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus hypnorum. 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 Tree Bumblebee (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Bumblebee
What is Tree Bumblebee?
Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Tree Bumblebee found?
Habitat: Often seen visiting flowers.
When is Tree Bumblebee active?
Tree Bumblebee: seasonal activity - April to July peaking from late May to June..
What is the life cycle of a Tree Bumblebee?
Have been recorded several times nesting in bird boxes in the UK.