theBeeAt3

An Irish-based bee expert shared a daily fact noting that bumblebees take anywhere from 20 to 35 days to develop from egg to adult, depending on species and conditions. Half of that time is spent as a feeding larva and half as a pupa inside a cocoon. The fact is part of a regular daily series sharing basic bee knowledge, drawing attention to pollinators and biodiversity.

A bee educator's daily fact series notes that the first brood of female worker bumblebees produced in spring often emerges small, because developing larvae depend entirely on the queen for food. Later broods grow larger since a workforce of established workers helps nurse them, a detail resonating with nature and pollinator enthusiasts as spring colonies get going.