DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BUMBLEBEE AND HONEYBEE
BUMBLEBEE
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HONEYBEE
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Figure 5.1 Bombus lucorum Figure 5.2 Apis mellifera
Produce very small amount of honey, impractical for commercial purpose
Hairier than honeybees Variable in sizes from 2-5cm Short and long- tongued Effective in pollinating many types of plants depending on the length of tongue Hardy, can forage in very cold conditions, even when raining Small colonies of around a few hundred bees Usually nest underground (eg. In soil or debris) |
Able to produce large amount of honey for commercial purpose
Honeybees have lesser hair Smaller in size compared to bumblebee. Workers are uniformly medium size Usually short- tongued Ineffective in pollinating certain types of plants, as they are usually short -tongued Will not forage in cold conditions or when raining Large colonies of bees, some containing 20,000 to 60,000 bees Build large and complex hives. Wild bees might construct nest in hollow trees and logs. |
Annual colonies, with only fertilised queens overwintering
Able to sting many times, not as defensive |
The entire colony survives the winter
Can only sting once, defensive |