A common eastern bumblebee. Now commercially produced for greenhouse pollination.

Also called: Common Eastern Bumble Bee, Impatient Bumble Bee

Native status: Native to eastern North America; common

§ Quick facts

SizeQueens 17–23 mm; workers 8.5–17 mm; drones 12–17 mm
WeightQueens ~700 mg; workers ~100 mg
LifespanWorkers 4–6 weeks; queens 12–18 months
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. Medium-sized fuzzy bumblebee with predominantly black body; bright yellow band across the front of the thorax and a narrower yellow band at the very front of the abdomen.

Similar species. Yellow-banded Bumble Bee (extensive yellow on thorax and abdomen). Two-spotted Bumble Bee (two yellow spots on abdomen). Many other Bombus species require expert ID.

Voice. Buzz during flight (wing beats); louder sonication buzz when buzz-pollinating flowers.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Nectar (carbohydrates), pollen (protein). Workers specialize on different roles as they age.

Behavior. Among the most common bumblebee species across eastern North America. Sold commercially for greenhouse pollination (especially tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries) — over 1 million colonies shipped annually within North America. Wild populations are generally stable, though long-term monitoring is critical. Forms small annual colonies of 50–500 workers in abandoned rodent burrows, beneath log piles, or in dense vegetation. Performs "buzz pollination" (sonication) — vibrating flight muscles at frequencies that shake pollen from tubular flowers.

§ Range

Eastern North America

§ Habitat

Diverse habitats

§ Threats

Pesticide drift, habitat loss.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the common eastern bumblebee is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Skip pesticides. Plant pollinator gardens.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Xerces Society Bumble Bee Atlas
  • Bumble Bee Watch
  • Sam Droege USGS Bee Inventory
  • IUCN Red List 2014