Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Invertebrate
An essential pollinator for meadow flowers.
💡 Fun Facts
- Covered in thick hair to stay warm while flying from flower to flower, collecting nectar and accidentally pollinating the plants.
📅 Through the Year
- Hibernation:November to February
- Active:March to October
Name Story
Bombus terrestris
means “The earth-buzzer”
What does its name mean?
- Bombus — a booming, buzzing soundLatin, from Greek bombos
- terrestris — of the groundLatin terra 'earth'
The first half of the name is simply the buzzing hum a bumblebee makes, and the second half tells you where this one nests — tucked underground, often in an old mouse hole.
📄 Educational Handout Available
Download the printable infographic: Bees vs Wasps
📄 Educational Handout Available
Download the printable infographic: Wax Castles vs Paper Palaces (Nests)