As warm weather arrives, many people notice large, fuzzy insects buzzing among flowers. Often seen foraging in gardens and open spaces, their size and hairy appearance make them stand out, leading many to wonder what they are called.
Bumblebees: The Iconic Fuzzy Flyers
The large, fuzzy bees commonly observed are primarily bumblebees (Bombus). They are identified by their stout, rounded bodies, densely covered in soft hair, known as pile. While many species display familiar black and yellow striped patterns, variations exist, including orange, red, or entirely black coloration. These insects typically range from 0.75 to 1.5 inches in length.
Bumblebees are social insects, living in colonies ranging from 50 to 400 individuals. A colony consists of a single queen, worker bees, and drones. Unlike honeybees, bumblebee colonies are annual, with only newly mated queens surviving winter to establish new nests in spring.
They are active pollinators, using their long, hairy tongues to collect nectar and pollen from flowering plants. Their distinct buzzing sound aids in “buzz pollination” (sonication), where they vibrate flowers to release trapped pollen. This behavior makes them effective pollinators for crops like tomatoes and cranberries.
The Purpose of Their Fuzz
The prominent fuzz covering a bumblebee’s body, scientifically termed “pile” or “setae,” serves several important biological functions. One primary purpose is insulation, which helps these insects regulate their body temperature. This adaptation allows bumblebees to remain active and forage in cooler climates or during early mornings and late evenings when other insects might not be. Their ability to generate heat through rapid muscle contractions, combined with their insulating pile, enables them to fly in a wider range of temperatures.
Beyond temperature regulation, the branched nature of the setae is highly effective at collecting pollen. As bumblebees move between flowers, pollen grains adhere to these hairs, facilitating the transfer of pollen and contributing to plant fertilization. Research also suggests that the fuzz may play a role in sensing the faint electric fields generated by flowers, helping bumblebees locate and differentiate between them. This electrosensory capability can aid in efficient foraging by allowing bees to identify flowers that have not recently been visited by other pollinators.
Distinguishing Them From Other Insects
Distinguishing bumblebees from other insects that share a similar appearance is important for accurate identification. Carpenter bees are often mistaken for bumblebees due to their size and some shared coloration. However, a key difference lies in their abdomens: bumblebees have hairy abdomens, often with yellow or black bands across the entire segment, while carpenter bees typically have a smooth, shiny, and hairless black abdomen. Carpenter bees also tend to bore into wood to create nests, whereas bumblebees commonly nest underground in abandoned burrows or dense grass. Their flight patterns also differ; carpenter bees may dart and hover, while bumblebees generally fly in a straighter line.
Large hoverflies can also mimic bumblebees, displaying similar black and yellow patterns and sometimes a fuzzy appearance. However, hoverflies belong to the order Diptera, meaning they have only one pair of wings, while bumblebees, like all bees, have two pairs. Hoverflies also possess much shorter antennae and larger eyes that often cover most of their head, in contrast to the longer, more distinct antennae and oval-shaped eyes of bumblebees. Unlike bumblebees, hoverflies do not sting. Observing these specific physical and behavioral traits can help differentiate these insects.