Canvas - Bumblebee on a Flower

Fuzzy, robust, and essential to our ecosystems, the bumblebee (Bombus species) is a highly effective native pollinator known for its distinctive loud buzz and round, hairy body. Unlike the perennial colonies of honeybees, most bumblebee colonies are annual, with only the newly mated queen surviving the winter by hibernating underground. In spring, she emerges to establish a new nest, often in an abandoned rodent burrow or sheltered cavity. Bumblebees are famous for a behavior called "buzz pollination," where they rapidly vibrate their flight muscles while holding onto a flower. This shaking releases pollen that is tightly held by the plant (such as tomatoes, blueberries, and cranberries), making them critical for many agricultural crops and wildflowers. Their insulating layer of hair allows them to forage in cooler temperatures and lower light levels than many other bees, making them early and late-season workers and crucial contributors to global biodiversity