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Hills & Heights

Critters of the Week

A wild critter we spotted in the RVA area and a critter up for adoption by SPCA or RACC.

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Where Spotted: Reedy Creek, Maymont
Common Name: Common Eastern Bumblebee
Scientific Name: Bombus impatiens
Average Length: 0.35 in to 0.82 in (9 mm – 21 mm)

Quick Facts (iNaturalist)

  • The common eastern bumble bee can be found throughout the east coast from Maine to Florida and west through Ohio.
  • They have underground nests that are 1–3 feet below the ground surface.
  • Unlike the nests of honeybees or paper wasps, the nests do not have a predictable pattern. The bees lay egg clumps all over inside the nest instead of having one brood area around which the workers’ distribution center is arranged.
  • Colonies use a strategy called traplining, in which the bees visit their food sources in a repeatable sequence, to improve their efficiency, especially in an unfamiliar environment.
  • To create honey, the bees consume the pollen and the nectar, and then regurgitate them, mixing them with enzymes in their stomachs. The honey is stored and used as a winter food source.

Mona Lisa at RACC

Primary Color: Black
Secondary Color: White
Weight: 8.6
Age: 2yrs 3mths 1wks
Sex: Female
Pet ID: 68720

Adopt Mona Lisa at RACC

Information on Adopting a cat

Please note that the adoptable critter we’ve selected was available when we created the post the animal might not be available when you go to the facility.

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Richard Hayes is the co-founder of RVAHub. When he isn't rounding up neighborhood news, he's likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest board game.