There are just four species of bumblebee in New Zealand:
Bombus Terrestris
Our most common bumblebee. It occurs throughout New Zealand and can
sometimes be seen flying on sunny days after frosts in milder areas.
Queens, workers and males all have the same colour pattern. The tongue
is short. This is the species that is mass-reared for pollination of
tomatoes in glasshouses.
Bombus Ruderatuss
Occurs over most of the country but isn’t seen during winter. Colour
can range from completely black to almost as much yellow as Bombus
hortorum. The tongue is very long.
Bombus Hortorum
Not present in Westland or north of about Hamilton but appears to be
spreading north. An occasional bee might be seen in winter in milder
areas. All castes are similarly coloured. The tongue is very long.
Bombus Subterraneus
Our rarest bumblebee in that it occurs only in inland south and
central South Island areas. It is on the wing only from about early
November to late March. Queens and workers have an area of black hairs
in the middle of the frontal yellowy band and males are mostly yellowy
green. The tongue is long.
