Bumble-bees

Abstract

Though bumble-bees constitute only a small group of a few hundred species, they are nevertheless among the largest and most conspicuous insects. Owing to their in­dustry in pollinating certain useful plants, they are of con­siderable economic importance and we would expect to find among the annals of entomology a rich store of accurate information in regard to their life histories and behaviour. But our knowledge of the bumble-bees and their ways is still rather meagre.