HUNT’s BUMBLEBEE

Bombus Huntii

Hunt’s bumblebees are one of the most common bumblebees found in Lethbridge, easily identifiable by the thick, red-orange stripe on their abdomen. Like other bumblebees they collect pollen in depressions on their hinds legs known as “pollen pockets” or “corbicula”. They even have a special trick for flowers that do not give up their pollen easily. They vibrate at a high frequency while holding the flower in their legs, effectively “shaking” the pollen lose from the anthers.

Bumblebees are one of the earliest pollinators to emerge in the spring. Encourage them in your garden by planting early-blooming flowers, and leaving some dandelions alone in the early spring so they have something to feed on before the rest of your garden blooms.