Bumble-Beetles: these beetles are covered in dense, fuzzy bristles and dark stripes that mimic the appearance of a bumblebee
Above: a bumblebee-mimicking beetle, Lasiotrichius succinctus
The beetle families Glaphyridae and Scarabaeidae contain several different species that are capable of mimicking bumblebees. These are day-flying beetles that can often be found hovering around flowers or perched atop their petals, and they feed on the pollen, nectar, and sap that the flowers produce.
Above: more photos of Lasiotrichius succinctus
Many of these beetles have banded markings in their setae or on their elytra (the protective casings that cover their wings) and their bodies are covered in thick, fuzzy bristles. They're also excellent pollinators, just like the bumblebees they mimic.
Above: Lichnanthe rathvoni, commonly known as the bumblebee scarab
Some species are known as bee-mimicking flower chafers, bumblebee scarabs, or bee-beetles, but "bumble-beetle" seems like the most fitting nickname.
Above: the photo at the top shows Trichius fasciatus, the Eurasian bee-beetle, feeding alongside an actual bee, while the photo on the bottom shows a close-up of the beetle
A few months ago, I wrote a post about a very plump, fluffy-looking beetle known as the African woolly chafer, and that post received several comments that jokingly described it as a "bumble-beetle." That species does look kind of like a bumblebee, but I wanted to point out that "bumble-beetles" actually do exist -- and they are truly adorable.
Above: the face of Trichius gallicus, otherwise known as the French flower chafer or French bee-beetle
Sources & More Info:
Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America: Bumble Bee Scarabs
University of Nebraska: Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles: Glaphyridae Overview
BioComm: The Eurasian Bee Beetle
iNaturalist: Genus Lasiotrichius, Genus Trichius, and Lichnanthe rathvoni
Insects of the Pacific Northwest: Lichnanthe rathvoni
The Coleopterist: The Bee Beetle Trichius fasciatus in Northern Scotland (PDF)
Journal for Nature Conservation: Beyond Bees and Butterflies: the Role of Beetles in Pollination Systems
Entomologist: Bumblebee Scarab Beetle
