Hommel

Hommel is the Dutch common name for bumblebees, the large, fuzzy bees of the genus Bombus in the family Apidae. Bombus species are social bees with annual colonies headed by a queen. A typical colony may include dozens to hundreds of workers, and several species can be found across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Asia, and North America.

Life cycle and social structure: In spring, mated queens survive overwintering and establish a nest, laying eggs that become workers. The colony grows through the spring and summer. In late summer, new queens and drones are produced; after mating, the old colony dies as winter approaches, and only the young queens overwinter to start new colonies the following year. Workers are sterile females that perform foraging, nest maintenance, and brood care.

Behavior and ecology: Bumblebees forage on a wide range of flowering plants and are capable of buzz pollination, a technique that helps pollinate certain crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and blueberries. Nest sites vary and can include abandoned rodent burrows, thick grass, or cavities in human structures. Bumblebees have relatively good tolerance for cooler temperatures, enabling early-season activity.

Conservation and threats: Bumblebee populations face threats from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and diseases such as Nosema bombi. Conservation measures often emphasize maintaining diverse, flowering habitats across seasons, protecting nesting sites, and limiting harmful pesticides. As important pollinators for wild flora and agricultural crops, hommels contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services.