A field bumblebee is closely related to bees. It belongs to the type of arthropods and is a representative of the order Hymenoptera. His calling card can be called a motley red-black color of fluffy hairs, which covers almost his entire body. It is impossible to confuse this insect with others. Shaggy relatives of bees are known as good pollinators of flowers. They are indispensable assistants to gardeners and gardeners, pollinating fruit and vegetable crops.
Appearance
Representatives of this species bumblebees have slight differences in size. depending on gender. The largest are females, who are the uterus in the bumblebee family. Their body length can reach 2 cm. Males have a smaller body size - about 14 mm in length. Workers include infertile females. They are the smallest insects of this species, having a body length of 9 to 14 mm.
On a note!
To distinguish field bumblebee from other species, you need to carefully look at it. On the back of the shaggy arthropod, red hairs dominate with a small interspersed black. On the abdomen, yellow villi are mixed with white, as on the sides of the insect. The bumblebee forehead is covered with light villi. In females on the upper part of the breast, you can notice a small black spot in the form of a triangle.
Habitat
Field bumblebee is widespread on the continent of Eurasia from Western Europe to the Far East. Prevails in the middle and southern latitudes. The insect prefers to build nests on the ground or underground, but you can also meet them in other places:
- abandoned animal burrows or bird nests on the ground;
- soil cavity;
- hollows and crevices of trees;
- fallen foliage;
- the gaps between the boards of wooden buildings.
The name “field” does not mean that insects pollinate only field and meadow plants. They are also found in gardens, forests, vegetable gardens. In large cities they can also be seen. But field bumblebees give their preference to lowland meadows, where red clover grows.
Nutrition and Reproduction
Females capable of breeding, after wintering, look for a suitable place for arranging the nest. Having laid several egg laying, she takes care of the offspring herself. When the number of individuals in the nest reaches the first hundred, it no longer leaves the nest and is only engaged in reproduction.
On a note!
Male field bumblebees have no sting. Only females are able to sting, but they do this extremely rarely.
Working females, unable to lay eggs, are engaged in the delivery of nectar and pollen to the nest. Male drones are responsible for arranging cells for offspring and food storage. They do not collect nectar and do not pollinate plants. Nectar processed by insects turns into honey, which is a nutritious food to support the life of a bumblebee family.
