Bombus hypnorum
Encyclopedia
Bombus hypnorum, the tree bumblebee or new garden bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee
Bumblebee
A bumble bee is any member of the bee genus Bombus, in the family Apidae. There are over 250 known species, existing primarily in the Northern Hemisphere although they are common in New Zealand and in the Australian state of Tasmania.Bumble bees are social insects that are characterised by black...

. It is one of the most common bumblebee species in north and eastern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

, but it's less common past 70 degrees north. Its distribution ranges over most of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...

 and parts of Eastern Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

, although less common. It has a short tongue and can therefore only retrieve nectar from certain plants.

Bombus hypnorum was first observed in parts of southern UK in 2001, and has since been spreading all across southern UK. The UK organization Bees, Wasps & Ants Recording Society enganges in monitoring the species.

The tree bumblebee defends its nest in a very offensive manner, and if it is disturbed, a large number of very aggressive workers emerge from the entrance to defend the nest. They will fly at high speed around the entrance to the nest, in order to scare away possible attackers. In this state, they may well sting unprovoked. For this reason, the tree bumblebee might end up in conflict with humans if it establishes its nest in human buildings. However, if it is not disturbed, the tree bumblebee is quite peaceful.
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