Buzz
Bumblebees, those plump, fuzzy aviators, are truly captivating insects. Studying them is no easy feat, much like other tiny creatures that can't be tagged and can zip away in an instant. Dave Goulson, a scientist who established a conservation trust to aid bumblebee populations, has dedicated his career to uncovering the behaviors and traits of these humble bees. His journey is detailed in his book, A Sting in the Tale: My Adventures with Bumblebees. Here are 15 concise facts gleaned from Goulson's explorations into the world of bumblebees.
1. The Bombus dahlbomii of South America holds the title of the world's largest bumblebee.
Its queens are often likened to flying mice.
2. The eggs of bumblebees resemble miniature sausages in shape.
Exceptionally small sausages, to be precise.
3. Bumblebees can beat their wings at an astonishing rate of 200 times every second.
This speed is comparable to the revolutions per minute of certain motorcycle engines.
4. Bumblebees require a substantial amount of food to sustain themselves.
Bumblebees possess remarkably rapid metabolisms, requiring them to feed almost nonstop. As Goulson explains, 'A bumblebee with a full stomach is only about 40 minutes away from starvation.'
5. The nests of bumblebees are significantly smaller than those of other bee species.
These nests typically house no more than 300 to 400 worker bees, a stark contrast to the tens of thousands found in honeybee or wasp colonies. To put this into perspective, there are approximately 25,000 known bee species, with many more likely still undiscovered.
6. The sperm of bumblebees can remain viable for months within the queen bee.
After winter hibernation, only the queen bee survives, tasked with establishing a new colony alone. Sperm stored from the previous summer's mating remains in her ovaries, ready to fertilize her eggs once she locates a nesting site. By summer's end, when the queen is just over a year old, she and her worker bees perish, making way for her daughters to take over.
7. The genetics of their offspring are entirely controlled by queen bees.
Male bumblebees possess just one chromosome and lack a father. To create a son, a queen bee simply lays an unfertilized egg. For daughters, who form the entire workforce of the colony, the queen fertilizes her eggs using sperm stored since the previous summer.
8. The family trees of bees are surprisingly intricate.
Since bee sisters inherit identical genes from their fathers but only about 50% of their mother's genes, a female bumblebee shares 75% of her genes with her sisters. However, she is only 50% related to her own offspring, who inherit half their genes from their father and half from her. This explains why most bees in the nest focus on raising the queen's offspring rather than starting their own nests. A worker bee's sisters carry more of her genetic material than her own children would, so she leaves reproduction to the queen.
9. Unlike some other bees, bumblebees do not die after stinging.
This phenomenon is unique to honeybees. Indeed, a bumblebee can sting multiple times. However, male bumblebees lack stingers entirely, and female bumblebees are generally non-aggressive. Unless you disturb their nest, you’re unlikely to be stung.
10. The majority of our knowledge about bumblebee nests originates from an entomologist who passed away in 1912.
Frederick William Lambart Sladen was the first researcher to focus entirely on bumblebees. At just 16 years old, in 1892, he published his first book on the subject, establishing himself as the leading authority. His expertise remains unmatched. Goulson notes, 'Species that are now rare or extinct in Britain, like the short-haired bumblebee, were well-known to Sladen. His descriptions of their nests are still the primary source of information.' No one has since replicated Sladen’s depth of knowledge on bumblebee nesting behaviors.
11. Scientists use a specialized tool to safely collect live bees for study.
This device is called a pooter. Despite the amusing name, it serves a crucial purpose. It enables researchers to collect bees without causing harm. By inhaling through one end of a tube, small insects are drawn into a jar. A mesh screen on the mouthpiece ensures the insect doesn’t end up in the scientist’s mouth.
12. Collecting DNA samples from bees requires removing a small part of their legs.
While bees don’t technically have toes, scientists clip the final segment of their tarsus to conduct genetic testing in the lab. This process doesn’t affect their lifespan or their ability to forage, so it’s less harsh than it might seem.
13. Bees leave behind a distinct scent with their feet.
Like all insects, bees are coated in a waterproof oily layer. When they land on flowers, they deposit a chemical marker. Other bees can detect these scent trails, signaling that the flower has already been visited and its nectar depleted. Additionally, these oily footprints act as a navigational aid, helping bees locate the entrance to their nest.
14. Bumblebees use their wings to regulate the temperature inside their nests, effectively acting as natural air conditioners.
When the nest overheats, worker bees position themselves near the entrance and fan out the hot air, functioning like miniature air conditioning systems. As temperatures rise, more workers join the effort to maintain the nest at their ideal temperature of 86 degrees Fahrenheit. If their body temperature exceeds 111 degrees, bumblebees face fatal consequences.
15. Large groups of male bumblebees gather on hilltops.
In a study conducted in Scotland, Goulson discovered that hilltops attract significantly more male bees compared to flat areas or mid-hill locations. While he suggests this behavior might be a mating strategy—similar to other male insects that gather at higher elevations to await potential mates—scientists have yet to observe this method being successful. With approximately seven males born for every queen, most male bumblebees never get the chance to mate.
