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A Bumblebee is any member of the bee genus Bombus, found within the family Apidae, of which there are currently in excess of 250 known species still extant. All known species of Bumblebee exist primarily in the Northern Hemisphere although they also occur in South America. They have been introduced to New Zealand and the Australian state of Tasmania. The Bumblebee is a social insect that is characterized by black and yellow body hairs, usually in bands. However, some species of Bumblebee have orange or red on their bodies, or may be entirely black.
Another obvious characteristic is the soft nature of the hair, called pile, that covers their entire body. This has the effect of making them appear and feel fuzzy. They are best distinguished from similarly large, fuzzy bees by the form of the female hind leg, which is modified to form a corbicula. This is a shiny concave surface that is bare, but surrounded by a fringe of hairs used to transport pollen (in similar bees, the hind leg is completely hairy, and pollen grains are wedged into the hairs for transport). Like their relatives the honey bees, the Bumblebee feeds on nectar and gathers pollen to feed their young. The Bumblebee is most typically found in higher latitudes and/or high altitudes. Exceptions to this do exist (there are a few lowland tropical species). A few species even range into very cold climates where other bees might not be found.
One species of Bumblebee can be found in northern Ellesmere Island. This instance is the northernmost occurrence of any eusocial insect. One reason for this is that bumblebees can regulate their body temperature, via solar radiation, internal mechanisms of "shivering" and radiative cooling from the abdomen (called heterothermy). While other bees have similar physiology, the mechanisms have been best studied in the Bumblebee. They adapt to higher elevations by extending their wing stroke amplitude. Bumblebees form colonies, which 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).
The life of a Bumblebee
Often, mature Bumblebee nests will hold fewer than 50 individuals. Bumblebee nests may be found within tunnels in the ground made by other animals, or in tussock grass. This is opposed to Carpenter Bees that burrow into wood. Bumblebees sometimes construct a wax canopy ("involucrum") over the top of their nest for protection and insulation. Bumblebees do not often preserve their nests through the winter, though some tropical species live in their nests for several years. These 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. Queen and worker bumblebees can sting. Unlike that of a Honey Bee, a the stinger of a Bumblebee lacks barbs, so it can sting repeatedly without injuring itself. Bumblebee species are not normally aggressive, but will sting in the defense of their nest, or if harmed. #ourbreathingplanet
Photographer: Tony Wills
Twin-striped Clubtail
Gomphus geminatus
male
Boggy Creek,
La Florista Perdida Management Area
Escambia Co., Florida
28 March 2013
The Insect Goddess AKA Megan, from Dagmar the Band
Captured at the Long island Railroad Station, New York, NY
NIKON D300, NIKKOR 85MM f/1.4
The pupa has a strange process where cells of the caterpillar become different structures, and later the butterfly emerges. The DNA in every cell of your body is the same. How does each cell know how to behave? Methylation, or epi-genetics. In a pupa, it seems like everything gets redefined.
This wasp was found resting on pine leaves (seedlings of Araucaria angustifolia) just at the sunset.
Not a great capture, its not very sharp but ive posted it because i would like an ID on it if anyone can help
Crane fly, mosquito hawk, mosquito eater and other given misnomers. They don't eat mosquitoes, or anything else as the adult stage is for breeding only. The larvae get roots and can be pests. With more than 4200 species I have no idea which this is.
This guy was tough to shoot on the floor.
The foregound is blurred 'cos a almost lied down on the ground, and the sand was too close for the cam, I guess it turned out good.
A Leaf insect (Walking leaf) from Thodupuzha, Kerala. Phasmida species. Looks like Phyllium gigantium. Not sure. It is almost 11 cm+.
Aka water slider, water bug, pond skater, skimmer, etc. Striders comprise the Gerridae family of true bugs. There are more than 1,700 species worldwide. Despite their delicate appearance, they are predators, attacking any insect or other small invertebrate on the water's surface.