Bombus - bumble bees
Some of the most important native pollinators of agricultural crops, bumble bees are large and hairy. Unlike honey bees, bumble bees perform well in greenhouses and can forage when the weather is too cold or wet. Commercial colonies are not currently available in Oregon because they use species that are not native to our state. However, they are use in other parts of the country.
Size: 11-23mm
Preferred crops: Many, especially blueberry, cranberry, and red clover grown for seed.
Nesting Behavior: Bumble bees are social. Colonies are made up of a queen, workers, and males. There are both cavity and ground nesting species. Over twenty species live in Oregon.
Size: 11-23mm
Preferred crops: Many, especially blueberry, cranberry, and red clover grown for seed.
Nesting Behavior: Bumble bees are social. Colonies are made up of a queen, workers, and males. There are both cavity and ground nesting species. Over twenty species live in Oregon.
Like honey bees, bumble bees carry pollen in a corbicula, or pollen basket.