Bumblebees never cease to amaze people, because the way of life of these furry insects hides many secrets. The life of the bumblebee is exciting like no other insect life. They take on important tasks in the ecosystem and are not as dangerous as feared.

For a long time it was said that bumblebees could not theoretically fly

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Characteristics
  3. reproduction
  4. identify bumblebees
  5. way of life
  6. Are bumblebees dangerous?
  7. drive away bumblebees?
  8. Living with bumblebees
  9. frequently asked Questions

    10. the essentials in brief

    • The important pollinators are protected and must not be killed or caught.
    • There are 36 different bumblebee species in Germany.
    • Bumblebees live in colonies like bees, but build their nests in the ground or in cracks.

    All about bumblebees

    Bumblebees are a genus with the scientific name Bombus, which belongs to the true bees. The social insects are a lower classification within the hymenoptera and belong to the stinging or defense rims. Their main area of distribution extends over the temperate and cooler latitudes. In their way of life, they hardly differ from those of bees.

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    What do bumblebees eat? pollen and nectar
    How long do bumblebees live? Lifespan between two weeks and a year
    Where do bumblebees sleep? sleep on flowers
    When do bumblebees die? from lack of food and from cold

    natural reserve

    Bumblebees are protected

    The hard-working insects take on important functions in the ecosystem. They are outnumbered by other true bees and are threatened by declining food sources and habitat. Protected and undisturbed hibernation quarters are especially important for the hibernating young queens. These are also disappearing, which is why the insects are protected by the Nature Conservation Act. Protection continues to exist through the Species Protection Act, because bumblebees are endangered by the use of pesticides and early mowing of flower strips.

    That is forbidden:

    • Catching and injuring the insects
    • intentional killing
    • Damaging or destroying breeding sites and resting places

    Natural enemies

    Bumblebees are parasitized by the closely related cuckoo bumblebee. Male woolly bees defend themselves against flying bees and bumblebees that accidentally enter their territory. They fly toward the invaders, bending their spiny abdomens forward just before they collide. Bumblebees often shatter their wings on impact, rendering them unable to fly and starving to death.

    A greater danger emanates from the wax moth, because it can destroy an entire colony of bumblebees. It is attracted by the scent of nectar and pollen in the bumblebee nests and lays its eggs there. When the larvae hatch, they eat their way into the honeycomb and devour bumblebee eggs and larvae.

    Bumblebees are hosts to bee ants, whose females enter the bumblebee nests and lay one egg per cell. The larvae eat the entire brood and then pupate. Despite this way of life, an infestation with the bee ant does not necessarily result in the demise of the entire bumblebee colony.

    More enemies:

    • fathead fly: lays eggs in adult bumblebees
    • mites: infest bumblebees and feed on their blood
    • human: Use of pesticides and insecticides kills bumblebees

    How do bumblebees reproduce?

    Bumblebees mate in summer

    Between July and August, drones prefer to swarm around large flowers that are rich in nectar. Here they are waiting for a young queen to mate with her. While the queen can only mate once, the drones can mate with multiple females. The fertilized young queens look for a place to overwinter immediately after mating.

    summit courtship

    The males of the light-colored bumblebee look for exposed places in the terrain to position themselves there. These can be hilltops or mountain tops that protrude as far as possible from the landscape. Against the horizon, the males are easily discernible from the females. If they are willing to mate, they fly specifically to these places.

    patrol flights

    During this courtship display, the males of dusky bumblebees, stone bumblebees and garden bumblebees repeatedly fly along fixed routes that are 200 to 300 meters long. The flight altitude of the drones differs between the species. Garden bumblebees prefer to fly near the ground, while stone bumblebees are found at treetop heights.

    At a distance of five to ten meters, the drones leave pheromones on branches and leaves. Females are attracted to the pheromones, which is why, according to scientific assumptions, the chance of mating is greatest in the area of the markings.

    accumulations

    Drones of the moss bumblebee gather in large numbers in front of nests of other bumblebee colonies that are not closely related. They stay at the nest exit and wait for young queens to emerge. Researchers have theorized that males use scent to find their way around and find foreign nests.

    What do bumblebees look like?

    Wild bumblebees are difficult to spot in nature. Among the 36 species occurring in Germany there are large and small bumblebees that are active at different times. However, the peak period of activity overlaps, as summer is when most nectar plants bloom. The coloring on the body must be used to distinguish between the seven most common species.

    flight times coloring
    Dark bumblebee mid-February to mid-October two yellow transverse bands, white tip of abdomen
    Bright bumblebee March to September orange-grey to brown bands, white abdomen
    stone bumblebee March to September End of abdomen is brown-red
    meadow bumblebee Mid-February to June yellow and orange banding
    tree bumblebee Mid-February to September Upper body orange-brown, abdomen black
    field bumblebee mid-March to mid-November Upper body yellowish to reddish brown, abdomen banded with white
    garden bumblebee March to September golden yellow bands with black spaces in between

    Black bumblebees?

    This beautiful insect is not a bumblebee but a bee

    Because of its size, the blue carpenter bee is often mistaken for a bumblebee. It is the largest native wild bee species and can be recognized by its blue wings, which contrast with the black colored and shiny metallic body. The blue carpenter bee is a peaceful insect.

    In the portrait: wasps, bees, bumblebees and hornets

    These insects belong to the hymenoptera and each have their own way of life, but they are similar in some aspects. While bumblebees appear particularly threatening due to their loud buzzing noises and their size, they are far less dangerous than bees and wasps. Hornets are just as dangerous. Like bumblebees, these only sting in exceptional cases when threatened.

    Interesting facts:

    • Honey bee venom is more toxic than hornet venom
    • Unlike males, female bumblebees have a stinger
    • Bumblebees, hornets and wasps only use their nests for one year
    • You can buy bumblebees and bees for pollination

    Where and how do bumblebees live?

    Bumblebees build their nests in the ground

    Bumblebees are social insects that support each other in the colony and serve the survival of the species. Unlike bees, they do not communicate about the direction and distance of a nectar source. However, they can tell their fellow species by releasing pheromones that there is nectar in the area. Every bumblebee must first learn which plants provide nectar and how to get the coveted food.

    Typical nest structure

    • Pitcher to urn-shaped arrangement of cells
    • Nest resembles a looser and upright bunch
    • Cover of hair, grass and moss insulates the nest
    • additional layer of wax protects against heat loss

    digression

    breeding behavior

    After the first egg laying, the queen sits on the eggs to warm them. This creates temperatures of up to 38 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the nest are constant between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius. The queen turns to her self-laid food stores during incubation so she does not have to leave her eggs to feed.

    How do bumblebees nest?

    In the spring, the young queens look for a suitable place to build their nest. Depending on the species, the insects use different nesting sites. Ground bumblebees prefer to colonize burrows while tree bumblebees can also nest in abandoned bird nests. The nests are only used for one year. Only on rare occasions does the queen return to the old bumblebee nest where she grew up. In the tropics there are colonies of bumblebees that occupy a nest for several years.

    Where bumblebees build their nests:

    • in the masonry: cracks and cavities
    • in the garden: Holes in the ground, in moss or in hollow tree trunks
    • on buildings: in the roller shutter box, under the roof or in the window frame

    How many bumblebees live in a nest?

    A colony of bumblebees can house between 50 and 600 insects. The exact number of individuals varies by species. Worker bees make up the majority of a colony. In a large colony, several hundred young queens can grow up.

    Why can bumblebees fly?

    Even wet bumblebees can fly

    According to calculations by an aerodynamicist, bumblebees cannot actually fly. Contrary to this theory, bumblebees move in the air. They fly even when it rains, clinging to a nectar-rich flower soaked to survive the inclement weather. The wings of a bumblebee are extremely elastic because they mainly consist of the protein resilin. This can expand to three times its size without tearing.

    Due to this high flexibility, vortices are created at the tip when the wings flap. Large volumes of air are set in motion and provide the necessary buoyancy to get the voluminous bumblebee bodies in the air.

    How do bumblebees fly?

    A wing can then move up when there is less pressure on the upper side than under the wing. In order to reduce the pressure at the top, the wing must be curved as much as possible. The bumblebee wing has a joint in the middle, which is also made of resilin.

    The bumblebee flaps its slanted wings forward. The wing is then rotated so that the top and bottom are swapped. In this position, the insect moves the wings backwards. The wing tips form the foremost point with every movement. This self-contained movement creates a vortex at the front edge, which makes the supposedly physically impossible flight of the bumblebee possible.

    What do bumblebees do in winter?

    Shortly after mating, which takes place between July and August, the young queens look for a suitable place to overwinter. It has not yet been clarified why the insects are looking for a hibernation quarters so early in the year, because at this time there is still a rich supply of food. The young queens are therefore rarely seen, while the males can often be observed during their courtship flights. They die after mating and, like the workers, do not overwinter.

    Suitable wintering places:

    • mole hill
    • compost
    • pile of leaves

    Are bumblebees dangerous?

    Bumblebees can sting or bite. They have a stinger, with the stinging apparatus being relatively poorly developed. Although the potential for aggression differs from species to species, bumblebees rarely sting, because they are the most peaceful bearers of defensive spikes and warn enemies of an attack. Drones, on the other hand, have no sting and are completely harmless.

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    Sting apparatus and poison effect

    A bumblebee's stinger won't get stuck in the skin when it stings because it doesn't have barbs. Therefore, bumblebees do not die after the sting. When it has pierced its stinger through the skin, the bumblebee transfers a venom into the victim. In humans, the sting causes a slight pinching sensation. However, the venom can cause pain, itching, swelling, and redness. For most people, a bumblebee sting is harmless. Only allergy sufferers have to reckon with sometimes severe reactions of the immune system.

    defense

    When threatened, the bumblebee first raises its middle leg and stretches it in the direction of the attacker. If the enemy is not deterred by this, the bumble bee will roll onto its back and stretch its stinger towards the attacker. Meanwhile, she tries to scare off the enemy with loud humming noises. If the threat persists, a stabbing attack may occur. Occasionally, bumblebees also bite in defense.

    drive away bumblebees?

    In Germany it is forbidden to remove a bumblebee nest without a specific reason or to use means to kill it. Anyone who acts contrary to the law must expect fines of 50,000 euros. It does not matter whether chemical insecticides or home remedies were used.

    Bumblebees are protected and may only be relocated in exceptional cases with permission. An exceptional case is when an allergy sufferer can no longer use certain areas of the garden. In this case, you should contact a conservation organization such as Nabu or volunteer bumblebee conservationists. In the event of direct danger, specialists can remove or relocate nests.

    How to keep bumblebees away:

    • Protect the apartment with fly screens
    • don't hit the bumblebees
    • Equip terraces and balconies exclusively with green plants
    • Sow nectar-rich flowering plants in an undisturbed corner of the garden

    What do bumblebees dislike?

    Bumblebees don't like smoke

    Bumblebees very rarely stray to the barbecue area, because the insects do not like smoke. If you want to get rid of bumblebees, you should avoid floral perfumes and colorful clothes. Both confuse the bumblebee, because it thinks it has found a source of food.

    Living with bumblebees

    Bumblebees play an important role as pollinators. You can pollinate flowers with long tubular flowers like field bean and red clover. Honeybees cannot get deep enough into flower structures with their short mouthparts. In the greenhouse, bumblebees use their vibrations to support the self-pollination of tomatoes and peppers, which otherwise has to be done by hand.

    Bumblebees are able to increase their body temperature. This allows them to fly even in bad weather and low temperatures and pollinate vegetable plants and fruit trees in periods of bad weather. Even if there are periods of heavy rain throughout the summer, bumblebees ensure pollination. Bees retreat under these conditions.

    Bumblebees are extremely useful and peaceful creatures that will enrich any garden.

    attract bumblebees

    If you've bought or built an insect hotel ($12.00) for bumblebees, you'll need some convincing. Only about 25 percent of all nesting aids are settled automatically. Once the box has been inhabited, the chance of resettlement by the offspring is very high. An attractive supply of food in the garden is important for use.

    To settle ground bees, the box is placed on the ground. Fake a mouse hole by burying a hose and leaving the opening protruding from the ground. The second opening ends in the bumblebee box. The hose should have an inner diameter of 2.5 centimeters and no longer than one meter. The entrance becomes more attractive if the opening is lightly covered with moss at the edge.

    tips

    A plank leaning against the box at an angle automatically guides bumblebees to the entrance when they fly above the ground in search of a burrow. When touched, they follow the board up.

    Better flowering meadows than bumblebee houses

    Flowering meadows make more sense than bumblebee boxes

    Special bumblebee boxes are commercially available, with which nature lovers and hobby gardeners can settle bumblebees in the garden. However, bumblebees rarely accept such boxes. If there are already cracks in the wood in which holes have been drilled, bumblebees will not settle at all. The insects also despise plastic and metal. Such nesting boxes are more often accepted by solitary wild bees. With a species-rich flower meadow you support the bumblebees in a natural way.

    tips

    Hollow bricks provide an ideal nesting site. The entrance should be at ground level.

    What plants do bumblebees like?

    So-called forage plants have a special meaning in beekeeping. These plants are favored by bees because they are rich in nectar and pollen. Bumblebees also like such plants.Especially with fruit trees, the visit of bees and bumblebees is important for fruit formation. You can specifically help bumblebees by growing such nectar plants. When choosing plants, look for a mixture of early and late flowering species. This ensures a continuous supply of nectar from late winter to autumn.

    Flowers for bumblebees:

    • early bloomers: Crocus
    • perennials: Marigold, bee friend
    • balcony flowers: Kosmea, helichrysum
    • shrubs: rhododendron, marshmallow
    • herbs: lavender, chives, oregano

    Feed weakened bumblebees

    In mid and late summer, the food supply is usually no longer sufficient and many bumblebees are too weak to reach the last flowers. You can save the insects by putting a small drop of sugar solution directly on the soil. The bumblebee smells the energy source and picks up the food with its proboscis.

    Bumblebees for inspiration

    People are fascinated by the furry acrobats that perform even under adverse conditions. Her will to survive seems to dominate her. The special way of life of insects is always a reason for inspiration in the media world.

    • Bumblebees in the heart: a novel by Petra Hülsmann
    • Bumblebees in the Stomach: Film based on the novel by Jo Berger
    • Bumblebees - bees in fur: Documentary by Kurt Mundl
    • Bumblebees in the ass: travel blog
    • Bumblebees also fly in the rain: a novel by Andrea Kraft

    frequently asked Questions

    Why do so many bumblebees die in summer?

    In midsummer, a lack of nectar means masses of dead bumblebees lie under linden trees. Once they have discovered the coveted sources of nectar, they are often too weak to reach them. Lime trees are the last important suppliers of nectar as the growing season draws to a close. This development is particularly drastic in cities, because large areas are sealed. The food supply is negligible here.

    How you can help bumblebees:

    • offer a drop of sugar water
    • Set up a feeding station in the garden
    • Plant shrubs for bees and bumblebees

    How old do bumblebees get?

    The life expectancy of insects depends not only on environmental conditions but also on social status. Queens overwinter and can live up to a year. The workers that hatch in the spring live for several months, while the foragers die after two to three weeks. In late summer, drones are produced that have a life expectancy of one month.

    What do bumblebees eat?

    The insects feed on pollen and nectar collected from various flowering plants. Because of their long mouthparts, bumblebees can also reach deep-lying nectar offers in long tubular flowers. Clover is one of her favorite plants. They also fly to pastures, fruit trees, viper's bugloss or oregano.

    What do bumblebees do with pollen?

    The workers use the collected nectar to cover their high energy requirements. To ensure the survival of the colony, the bumblebees fill their collecting bladders with nectar. This is excreted as honey and serves as food for the queen and offspring in the nest.

    They scrape off pollen with their abdomen, which is transported in the pollen sacs. The queen forms a pea-sized ball from the pollen, which is then coated with wax. She lays her eggs on it so that the offspring are supplied with food immediately after hatching.

    Why can bumblebees fly?

    In the 1930s, the Hummel paradox circulated in the media, originally intended as an aerodynamicist's hoax. He made a calculation and came to the conclusion that bumblebees should not actually be able to fly because of their unequal ratio of wing area to body volume.

    Later it turned out that there is no paradox here. When a bumblebee flaps its wings, vortices are generated. A bumble bee can rotate its wings up to 200 times per second, creating tornado-like vortices. These create a negative pressure, which causes the bumblebee to rise into the air.

    Do bumblebees produce honey?

    In the spring, the queen goes in search of pollen and nectar to produce the so-called bee bread. The honey is excreted from the abdomen and serves as building material and energy-rich food. She uses the honey to form a cell in which she lays her first eggs. In addition, she builds a pot, which is then filled with honey. The queen feeds on this supply while incubating her eggs.

Category:

Animals in the garden