Tutorial (including video) on using the Tool below

bee anatomyTutorial with video on how to approach bumblebee identification and on how to use the X-Polli:Nation Bumblebee identification tool below.


Bumblebee Anatomy
Image Copyright: Pahazzard / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0). Edited version of this image.

Bumblebee Anatomy

The bumblebee body consists of three segments: The head, thorax and abdomen. Six legs are attached to the thorax. They have long antennae, which can be elbowed (as in this picture) or curved. The photo shows the tongue extended, but this is typically not visible. Queens and workers have a pollen basket on their hind legs. They lick the pollen that sticks to their body with their tongue and stick it onto their pollen basket.

How to approach identification

Generally, it is easiest to look at the abdomen first if it is visible in the photo, and identify the colour of the tail (the tip of the abdomen). Then look for the number of stripes in the abdomen and thorax. The other features are often difficult to identify in images. Cuckoo species tend to have dark smoky wings and also do not have a pollen basket. However, males of non-cuckoo species would also not have a pollen basket, and wing colour can be deceptive in photographs. To learn more, have a look at the guide here.

How to use the X-Polli:Nation Bumblebee Identification Training Tool


Please look at the video tutorial below to learn how to use the features of the tool.



In short, you can either compare the photo to identify (on the left) directly with the reference images of the different species, or use the feature keys in the middle to narrow down your choices.

Identify a bumblebee in 3 steps
Step 1: Carefully study the bumblebee shown in the picture in the left column

  • You can click on the '+' and '-' buttons to zoom in and out.
  • When zooming in, drag the mouse to view different parts of the picture.

Step 2: Use the Key in the middle to filter out species that do not match.

  • Select the feature(s) that matches the bumblebee in the photograph to narrow down your search.
  • You only need to select the feature(s) that you are certain about.
  • You can unselect any features as well

Step 3: Submit your identification.

  • Select a species from the list of species in the right column that best matches the specimen of the bumblebee.
  • Click the "Submit" button that appears at the bottom of the page
Go on, try our tool now:

X-Polli:Nation Species Identification Tool


Last modified: Friday, 3 July 2020, 1:36 PM