Eastern Bumblebee on Milkweed Flowers

The richness contained in these blooms lasts mere days, but while profuse in its nutrients and aroma, fully intoxicates a wide range of insects.

Nature preserve, July, 2015

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Bumblebees (genus Bombus)
Common eastern bumblebee

These familiar insects are stocky, fuzzy, and yellow (or orange) and black. The queen bumblebee typically chooses a nest site that is on or under the ground. She lays her eggs, and 10 days later a relatively small number of worker bees is born. These workers gather nectar and pollen, make honey, and care for the nest and young. In the late summer, drones (males) and queens are born, and they mate. Most of the colony dies with the onset of cold weather, but the queens overwinter in leaf litter.