Early bumblebee

Early bumblebee
B. pratorum pollinating
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: Pyrobombus
Species:
B. pratorum
Binomial name
Bombus pratorum
(Linnaeus, 1761)

The early bumblebee or early-nesting bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) is a small bumblebee with a wide distribution in most of Europe and parts of Asia. It is very commonly found in the UK and emerges to begin its colony cycle as soon as February which is earlier than most other species, hence its common name.[1] There is even some evidence that the early bumblebee may be able to go through two colony cycles in a year.[2] Like other bumblebees, Bombus pratorum lives in colonies with queen and worker castes. Bombus pratorum queens use aggressive behavior rather than pheromones to maintain dominance over the workers.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Bumblebee mating, death and hibernation; Stage 4 in the lifecycle of a bumblebee colony". www.bumblebee.org. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).