Rounder and larger than other bees, there are over 250 species of bumblebees worldwide. Its distinctive coat is thick and furry allowing it to operate in cooler weather. This ability to fly in the cold normally means it is the first bee to be seen as winter ends and spring emerges.

Bumblebees live in tiny colonies containing 50 to 400 members along with the queen who produces all the female worker bees.

The only survivor of the winter months is the queen who stays alive by taking refuge in undergrowth and thick planted areas. With the winter behind her this hardy bee emerges and begins looking for an appropriate nesting site in which she can lay her eggs and develop her very own new colony.

In order to protect the colony from the elements and attack the queen normally builds it underground taking advantage of old vole nest holes or natural cracks in the earth and even broken paving. Once established she will also create perfectly formed sterile wax cells designed specifically to accommodate her next generation of female workers.

As this population grows these same workers go out and collect the nectar and pollen required to sustain the colony. Towards the end of summer the colony raises up the virgin queens and males required to create future generations. Both of these leave the nest in order to find mates. Once the male has successfully mated it then dies, where as the fertilised female queen seeks out somewhere to hibernate and thus the cycle begins again.



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