The humble bumblebee once puzzled scientists as its ability to fly was believed to deify the basic theory of aerodynamics. After numerous experiments the bumblebee’s unique means of flight is now better understood. This website will explore the mysterious mechanisms of bumblebee flight and the reasons for its evolution.
Before you begin you should know some general information about the bumblebee. Bumblebees belong to the genus Bombus and mainly reside in alpine areas (Cameron et al. 2007). There are 250 species of bumblebees. Most of a bumblebee’s time is spent foraging for pollen, its food source (Heinrich 1979). In addition to being an essential agricultural assistant in the dispersal of pollen the bumblebee contributed to invention of the helicopter (Heinrich 1979).
Before you begin you should know some general information about the bumblebee. Bumblebees belong to the genus Bombus and mainly reside in alpine areas (Cameron et al. 2007). There are 250 species of bumblebees. Most of a bumblebee’s time is spent foraging for pollen, its food source (Heinrich 1979). In addition to being an essential agricultural assistant in the dispersal of pollen the bumblebee contributed to invention of the helicopter (Heinrich 1979).
The morphology of the bumblebee. Image provided by Heinrich (1979).
Pictures in Website Header from left to right
1. Bumblebee making a beeline to food. Image provided by Sean(2009).
2. A bumblebee getting its close up. Image provide by Charlton (2008).
3. Bumblebee preparing for landing. Image provided by Kohl (2009).
1. Bumblebee making a beeline to food. Image provided by Sean(2009).
2. A bumblebee getting its close up. Image provide by Charlton (2008).
3. Bumblebee preparing for landing. Image provided by Kohl (2009).
Website by Kathleen Garland - University of Queensland
Last modified 22 August 2012
Last modified 22 August 2012