Bumblebee species

Agrobío produces several species of bumblebees. Below are detailed their characteristics and where they are sold.

Bombus terrestris

It is a common bumblebee in Europe, and the most commercialised pollinator in the Mediterranean basin and geographical areas with similar weather.

The Bombus terrestris body is black, with cross stripes of different colours. It has some white stripes to the end of its abdomen, and two yellow stripes, one of them in the thorax and other in the middle of its abdomen. The queen’s size is 20-27 mm, whereas workers’ size is 10-15 mm.

Bombus terrestris is commercialised in Europe (except United Kingdom and Canary Islands), Africa, Asia and some countries of South America, like Chile.

In some countries the commercialisation of Bombus terrestris is restricted, so before making an order ask your local authorities about the bumblebee species allowed for pollination. For any doubt that could arise, please contact our technicians.

Bombus canariensis

Bombus canariensis is endemic to Canary Islands. They live naturally in the whole archipelago, excepting the two islands more to the East, where have been introduced artificially to be used as pollinators.

Their body is completely black, except the last stripes of the abdomen, which are white. The queen’s size is 20-23 mm, whereas workers’ size is 14-16 mm.

Bombus canariensis is sold only in Canary Islands, being the unique species allowed in the archipelago.

In some countries the commercialisation of Bombus canariensis is restricted, so before making an order ask your local authorities about the bumblebee species allowed for pollination. For any doubt that could arise, please contact our technicians.

Bombus terrestris audax

Bombus terristris audax is a species native to the UK. At a first glance it could be difficult to differentiate audax subsp. from the species Bombus terrestris, since both of them have similar band patterns. The B. t. audax‘s body is black. In the torax it has a yellow stripe, often blurred with black colour. In the middle of its abdomen there is a brownish-yellow band and several white stripes (red on queens) to the end of the abdomen. The queen’s size is 20-22 mm, whereas workers’ size is 11-17 mm.

B. t. audax is commercialised in the UK, being the only species allowed for sale.

In some countries restrictions may apply to the commercialisation of bumblebees species. Before making an order ask your local authorities about the bumblebee species allowed for pollination. For any doubt that could arise, please contact our technicians.