The most common eastern bumble bee — black with a single yellow band on the thorax. Now commercially produced for greenhouse pollination of tomatoes.

Native status: Native; commercially produced

§ Quick facts

SizeWorkers 12–13 mm; queens 18–20 mm
WeightWorkers ~100 mg; queens ~600 mg
LifespanWorkers 4 weeks; queens 1 year
OrderHymenoptera
FamilyApidae

§ Encyclopedia

Bombus impatiens, the common eastern bumblebee, is the most commonly encountered bumblebee across much of eastern North America. They can be found in the Eastern temperate forest region of the eastern United States, southern Canada, and the eastern Great Plains. Because of their great adaptability, they can live in country, suburbs, and even urban cities. This adaptability makes them a great pollinator species, leading to an increase in their commercial use by the greenhouse industry. This increase consequently led to their farther spread outside their previous distribution range. They are considered one of the most important species of pollinator bees in North America.

Source: Wikipedia — Bombus impatiens Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Black body with single yellow band on thorax.

Similar species. Other Bombus species. Solitary bees.

Voice. Buzz during flight.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Nectar and pollen.

Behavior. Small annual colonies. Now grown commercially for greenhouse pollination.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Diverse: gardens, fields, forests

§ Threats

Pesticide drift, climate change, competition from managed honey bees.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern bumble bee is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant native flowering plants. Skip pesticides. Provide undisturbed soil for queen nesting.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Xerces Society
  • Bumble Bee Watch
  • USDA Bee Lab