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Bumble bees form colonies. These colonies are usually much less extensive than those of honey bees. This is due to a number of factors including the small physical size of the nest cavity, the responsibility of a single female for the initial construction and reproduction that happens within the nest, and the restriction of the colony to a single season (in most species). Often, mature bumble bee nests will hold fewer than 50 individuals. Bumble bee nests may be found within tunnels in the ground made by other animals, or in tussock grass. Bumble bees sometimes construct a wax canopy (“involucrum”) over the top of their nest for protection and insulation. Bumble bees do not often preserve their nests through the winter, though some tropical species live in their nests for several years (and their colonies can grow quite large, depending on the size of the nest cavity). In temperate species, the last generation of summer includes a number of queens who overwinter separately in protected spots. The queens can live up to one year, possibly longer in tropical species.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 2011 Southland New Zealand

Bombus In A Sea Of Pollen! – Bumblebee On Sunflower


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Oops! We Are Falling! – Bumble & Poppy!

Totally Gorged! – Bee On Yellow Weed