Bumblebee
Bumblebees (Bombus terrestris, B. pratorum, et al.)
are eusocial in a manner quite similar to the eusocial
Vespidae such as hornets. The queen initiates a nest
on her own (unlike queens of honey bees and stingless
bees which start nests via swarms in the company of
a large worker force). Bumblebee colonies typically have
from 50 to 200 bees at peak population, which occurs in
mid to late summer. Nest architecture is simple, limited
by the size of the nest cavity (pre-existing), and colonies
are rarely perennial. Bumblebee queens sometimes
seek winter safety in honey bee hives, where they are
sometimes found dead in the spring by beekeepers,
presumably stung to death by the honey bees. It is
unknown whether any survive winter in such an
environment.