Bees belong to insects and these are characterized in the group of flying insects. These are closely related with wasps and ants. They play an important role in pollination. They also produce honey and beeswax. Over 20,000 species of bees has been recognized.

A bumble bee is well known specie of bees. It belongs to genus Bombus. It is found all over the world. Bumble bees are large and hairy in appearance. They exhibit an awkward and bumbling flight. They also produce a dull buzzing sound when they are flying that's why their name was derived from Middle English bombeln which means “to boom” or to buzz. Like lady bird and butterfly, people like bumble bees. They are black and yellow in color.

Just like bees' bumble-bees' lives in a colony. The head of the colony is queen bumble bee. She lays the eggs. Bumble bee workers are the daughter of queen and they serve the colony. Their tasks include collecting nectar, defending the nest and feeding queen and young bumble-bees. All these everyday jobs are performed under the rule of division of labor. Drones (males) are produced only during mating season for the purpose of mating.

Bumble bees colony require warm season for their survival. Unlike bees colony there is smaller number of bumblebees in a bumble- bee colony.

Bumble bees collect nectar from flowers and it is accumulated as honey. But the stored honey is in very small quantity which is used to nourish baby bumble bees and queen.

Just like some insects bumble bees can control their body temperature. Queens and workers quiver their flight muscles to warm themselves. Their large size and body hair also provide warmth to their body. That's why they are able to live in northern latitude and alpine altitudes. Habitat destruction, by land clearing and agriculture practices, is resulting in the extinction of several species.

Do bumble-bees sting? The answer to this question is yes they do. Another question arises in mind that when do bumble bee sting? Usually bumble bees are gentle and harmless. They sting only in self defense when they are provoked. How do bumble-bee sting? Their sting is pointed, so they can sting multiple times. Where do bumble bees sting threat is high? As they nest in yards, flower beds, wood piles and in loose building structures, the risk of getting sting is high in these places.

On the other hand bumble-bees nests should not be damaged because they are helpful in pollination.