What Do Bumblebees Look Like?
Bumblebees are fairly distinctive and easy to recognize compared to other bees. Here’s what they look like:
Shape: They have a robust, round, and fuzzy body. Their rounded shape makes them appear “plump” compared to the slender shape of honeybees.
Hair/Fuzz: Their bodies are covered in dense, soft hairs (called setae) which help in pollen collection and give them a fuzzy appearance.
Wings: Bumblebee wings are relatively short compared to their body and are translucent, often with a slight iridescence.
Head and Face: The head is large with prominent compound eyes on the sides. Their antennae are medium-length, and their mandibles (jaws) are strong, used for biting into flowers or, rarely, defensive biting.
If you see a large, fuzzy, round bee buzzing slowly around flowers with distinct black and yellow coloring, it’s probably a bumblebee. Unlike honeybees, they are less aggressive and tend to be more “plump and cuddly” in appearance.
How Big Are Bumblebees?
Bumblebees vary in size depending on their species and caste (queen, worker, or male):
Queens: The largest, typically 0.75–1 inch (1.9–2.5 cm) long.
Workers: Smaller than queens, usually 0.5–0.75 inch (1.2–1.9 cm) long.
Males (drones): Often similar in size to workers, sometimes slightly larger, around 0.5–0.8 inch (1.2–2 cm).
In terms of width, bumblebees are stout and “plump,” often about 0.3–0.5 inch (0.8–1.3 cm) wide. Their fuzzy bodies make them appear even larger than they actually are.
For context, they are noticeably bigger than honeybees, which are typically only 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) long and more slender.
What Color Are Bumblebees?
Bumblebees are generally black with bright contrasting bands, but the exact colors and patterns depend on the species. Here’s what color bumblebees are:
Common colors:
Black – forms the base color of most bumblebee species.
Yellow – usually in distinct bands across the thorax (middle) and abdomen (rear).
Orange or Rust – some species have an orange or reddish band near the end of the abdomen.
White – often at the tip of the abdomen in certain species.
Patterns: Most species have two to three bands of yellow or orange on a black background. Some species have a white “tail” at the end of their abdomen. Queens, workers, and males of the same species usually share the same basic color pattern, though males may sometimes appear slightly lighter.
Their dense, fuzzy hair (setae) can make colors look softer or slightly muted. Coloration can vary slightly within the same species depending on geography.