Photos / Sounds

What

Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)

Observer

larry522

Date

September 17, 2022 02:16 PM EDT

Description

Today I got to see a rarely witnessed part of the bumblebee life cycle. I first spotted her in flight, and after she landed I noticed she had picked up a mate! The male, along with all the other members of the hive (excepting other new queens) will die soon. She will find a place to hibernate, and emerge next spring to start a colony of her own.