Bumble All the Way

There are over 4000 species of native bees in North America and honeybees in the family of Apidae are not among them. The honeybee immigrated along with the English settlers in 1622, and quickly spread throughout the New World.

Most native species do not produce honey and range in size and scope from the two mm size Perdita minima to the carpenter bee, whose size can be as large as a kumquat. They are the primary pollinators of agricultural plants throughout this large and diverse country.

In my opinion, the large, fuzzy bumblebee(Bombus) reigns supreme. Commonly found throughout North America. There are 49 species of bumblebees found throughout this diverse landscape. Similar to their more popular honeybee cousin, the honeybee, the bumble bee are quite social and live in colonies, albiet, much smaller, and usually comprised of 50-500 individual bees.

Their hives are located underground where a young queen has overwintered, only to emerge in the spring, and begin the laborious task of rearing a new colony.

Bumblebees are important pollinators as they perform 'buzz pollination' by vibration of flowers, until the plant releases its pollen. The bumble bee wings beats at 130x per minute. The sheer size of this magnificent creature generates enough heat that enables them to fly much earlier and later in the day, then honeybees.

Many of the of the species have all but disappeared and currently the rusty-patch has been placed on the endangered species list. Loss of habitat, pesticides and diseases introduces by the honeybee are thought to be some of the causes. There are managed colonies of bumblebees for agricultural use.

What can we do to help this important pollinator?

• Plant native species of flowering plants

• Plant three seasons of blooms, spring, summer and fall

• Ensure bumblebees have adequate nesting ground. Leave your dead wood and hollow logs

• Avoid raking, tilling your yard until April or May as not to disturb nesting sites

• Eliminate pesticide usuage, especially systemic neonicotinoids

We all play an important role in preserving the habitat for our native bees and pollinators.

So, the next time you see this funny, fuzzy bumbly creature in your garden, be aware and be thankful for the bumblebee.