Bombus

Bombus is a genus of bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as bumblebees. They are eusocial insects that form seasonal, underground or cavity-nesting colonies headed by a queen, with workers and males helping to raise offspring. Bombus species are found primarily in temperate and alpine regions across the Northern Hemisphere and high-elevation areas worldwide, and they are distinguished by their stout bodies and dense hair, often with distinctive color patterns.

Colony life begins when a queen overwinters and emerges in spring to found a new nest. She lays infertile eggs that develop into workers, who then take on foraging and brood care tasks. Later in the colony cycle, new queens and males are produced. Bumblebee colonies are usually short-lived, with hundreds to a few thousand individuals, and most colonies die at the end of the season, leaving fertilized queens to survive the winter and start new nests elsewhere. Nest sites range from underground rodent burrows to hollow stems or other cavities, and nest temperature is actively managed by the workers.

Bombus is notable for its foraging behavior and pollination, including buzz pollination, which helps release pollen from certain flowers such as tomatoes and peppers. They are important wild pollinators and are used commercially in some regions to augment crop production, with species like Bombus terrestris employed for greenhouse pollination. There are roughly 250 described species, varying widely in size and color. Threats include habitat loss, pesticide exposure, disease, and climate change, prompting conservation and management efforts to protect native populations and pollination services.