#bombus

this one goes out to the fattest Bombus terrestris queen i've ever seen in my life. good job on your width

Bumblebees look like passive, cuddly, and docile creatures; and they generally are- but they won’t hesitate to defend themselves if they feel their warnings aren’t being seen!

I.e. below, when a bumblebee feels threatened they will raise one or more of their legs into the air, signaling to whatever or whomever may be bothering them as a message essentiality saying: “hey, back off, too close!”

species: top, bombus pascuorum / bottom, bombus impatiens

If their defensive posture goes unnoticed or ignored, they may be pushed into defending themselves by stinging (which is an all around sucky experience for not only you, but also for the bee. (Note that bumblebees do not die after stinging, but it is still stressful for them.) If you ever find yourself getting close to a bumblebee while taking pictures, trying to move them, or just admiring them, remember this posture! If they do this, it is simply asking you to take a step back because it feels it is being threatened! You might get stung.

Maschio di Bombus ruderatus (Fabricius, 1775) su Altea comune

Fire-tailed bumblebee, Bombus ardens, Apidae

Found in Japan and Korea

(the plant is a mountain lupine)

Bumble Bee ID - CO, USA:

Yessssss, hello, yes, this is a Hunt's Bumblebee (Bombus huntii), family Apidae.

Bombus bimaculatus