Bombus transversalis
| Bombus transversalis | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Clade: | Euarthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Bombus |
| Species: | B. transversalis |
| Binomial name | |
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Bombus transversalis (Olivier, 1789) |
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Bombus transversalis is a bumblebee specifically native to the Amazon Basin. It is most notable for its surface level colonies which are built by the workers on the rainforest floor. Unlike its relatives, B. transversalis is able to thrive in a humid climate and fend off a wide range of predators because of its resilient nests. While there is great deal of information pertaining to their nests and foraging abilities, there is much more to be learned about relationships within the colony and life cycle of the bee.
Bombus transversalis is in the order Hymenoptera, which consists of bees, ants, wasps, and sawflies. It is in the family Apidae and in the genus Bombus. Most Bombus bees live in temperate climates and build their nests underground from abandoned tunnels. The Bombus transversalis has adapted to tropical climates and builds its nests on ground surface. It can also be classified under the subgenus Fervidobombus. An example of a related species would be Bombus atratus. However, Bombus transversalis is the only one of this subgenus known to build their own nests out of leaves and twigs.
Bombus transversalis is primarily found in the lowland tropical rain forests of the Amazon Basin. They can be found throughout much of South America, including parts of Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. They are generally seen as the bumblebee colonizers of Neotropical rain forests. As such, they are adapted to surviving in a humid climate with heavy rainfall throughout the year. Their nests are found in soil which is not flooded. They are generally built next to the roots of trees or among shrubs for support.
The Bombus transversalis colony cycle is based on the season of the year. Colonies are formed during the wet season. During this time the colony is continually developing. When the dry season comes, they become reproductively active for a few months. However, once the wet season comes around again, the life of the colony comes to an end and a new colony is eventually formed when the queen finds a suitable site.
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Wikipedia