Midsummer’s Bumbles

Common eastern bumble bee

Photo: Lynette Schimming

Mid to late summer is the time that we begin to see more and more pollinators, especially bumblebees. As the larvae pupate into adults, we see greater numbers of bumblebees visiting our flower and vegetable gardens. These bees are important pollinators and are actually more efficient pollinators than honeybees. There have been 18 species of bumblebees documented in Minnesota, although a number of them are in decline. Learn more by visiting:

• extension.umn.edu
• xerces.org
• befriendingbumblebees.com