Forest bumblebee (bombus sylvarum).
it belongs to the family of real bees, or apidae, which has more than 5,000 species.
the body length of the queen (female or uterus) is 1.6-1.8 cm, the working individual 1-1.5 cm, the drone 1.2-1.4 cm.
they live in dry meadows, pollinate vegetable and fruit crops, alfalfa.
they are most active in the morning and evening.
fertilized females spend the winter in underground shelters and after hibernation fly out in april-may and begin to look for a place to nest. they build them near the surface of the soil or above it under tufts of grass. the nest is spherical in shape, about 8-9 cm in diameter.
Hay, grass, animal hair, moss, and dry leaves are used for its construction. After its construction, the female makes reserves of pollen and nectar to feed the larvae. To reproduction passes only after full recovery after wintering. The larvae are born a few days after laying eggs. After about 20 days, they become working individuals and begin to take care of feeding the uterus. By the end of the season, on average, the colony can have from 50 to 150 individuals, under favorable conditions - up to 400. Closer to autumn, the larvae begin to develop females (future uteri) and males. The duration of their development is 24-27 days. The uterus lives 5-7 years, drones - 14-28 days, workers - up to 3 months.
