Tree bumblebee
Bombus hypnorum
Habitat
The Tree bumblebee is found in Europe and the temperate regions of Asia up to the Pacific Ocean. This bumblebee species can be found throughout the Netherlands. The tree bumblebee inhabits gardens, forests, and urban areas.
Appearance
Life cycle
After the winter, the queen searches for a suitable nesting site, consisting of an above-ground nest—such as birdhouses, roof siding, tree hollows, cavities in walls, barns, or stables. She will then produce the first generation of workers. The workers care for the eggs and provide food for the larvae. Around the end of April, the first males fledge. The first young queens are born in mid-August. The young queens will mate with several males and, after mating, search for a suitable place to hibernate.
What can you do?
The Tree bumblebee is doing relatively well in the Netherlands, but this species could use some support. You can help them by planting plants in your garden that provide nectar and pollen, such as Wild cherry (Prunus arvensis), Rhododendron (Rhododendron), White dead-nettle (Lamium album), Brambles (Rubus), Teasel (Dipsacus), Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster), Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Rose (Rosa), and plants from the Celery family (Apiaceae).
Tree bumblebee queens often nest in birdhouses, mouse nests, or hollow spaces. Feel free to hang an empty birdhouse.
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 Wild 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.
The Rhododendron (Rhododendron) is poisonous.
The berries of the Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) are hardly poisonous. If you consume less than 10 berries, it is sufficient to drink some water.
