Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Habitat
The Buff-tailed bumblebee is one of the most common bumblebee species in the Netherlands – and a true champion at pollinating vegetables, fruits, and flowers. This species is used not only in our country, but worldwide, in greenhouses to pollinate crops.
You’ll find this bumblebee species in Europe, from southern Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, and even on Madeira and the Canary Islands. Only in marshes and very dense landscapes does the Buff-tailed bumblebee feel less at home.
Appearance
Life cycle
Around mid-February, the queen emerges from hibernation. She will immediately start feeding and look for a nesting site—often in an old mouse hole or mole tunnel. There, she lays her first eggs.
Worker bees hatch from these eggs, providing food and keeping the nest tidy. Starting in June, males and young queens also appear. The new queens will eat heavily, mate, and then fly out to find a place to hibernate for the winter. The old queen and the workers die in the fall.
Did you know that a colony can contain 100 to 1,000 bumblebees?
What can you do?
Bumblebees are essential for nature and our food. You can help them by filling your garden or balcony with flowers.
The Buff-tailed bumblebee feeds on pollen from plants such as Prunus (Prunus), Willow (Salix), Petty whin (Genista anglica), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Crocus (Crocus), Brambles (Rubus), Teasel (Dipsacus), Butterfly-bush (Buddleja davidii), Devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), Livingstone daisy (Cleretum bellidiforme), Common ivy (Hedera helix), Lavender (Lavandula), Water mint (Mentha aquatica), and Devil’s beggarticks (Bidens frondosa).
The more varied your plants, the better – this way, you offer the Buff-tailed bumblebee a rich buffet all year round.
Caution with some plant species
The stem, leaves, and pit of the Prunus (Prunus) contain hydrogen cyanide. The ripe fruit is the only part of this plant that is not poisonous.
The berries of the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) are mildly poisonous. If you consume less than 10 berries, simply drink some water.
The Prunus domestica (Prunus domestica) is a mildly poisonous plant species, but the fruits are edible.
All parts of the Sweet cherry (Prunus avium) are poisonous, except for the ripe cherries.
The berries of the Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) are mildly poisonous. If you consume less than 5 berries, you should drink water. If you consume more, consult your doctor. The leaves and other parts of the plant are poisonous.
Petty whin (Genista anglica) is mildly poisonous to humans.
The flowers, leaves, and roots of the Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) are edible. The stems, however, are not.
The Crocus (Crocus) is slightly toxic to humans. The poison tastes very bitter, and the plant is often regurgitated after accidental consumption. In young children, symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Higher doses can cause dizziness, colic, and cardiovascular collapse.
Common ivy (Hedera helix) contains berries that are toxic to humans. Ingestion of the berries causes a rash, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and drowsiness.
