Orange-tipped Bumble Bee Bombus opifex

This bumblebee is part of an elite group: over 250 species in the genus Bombus, the only living group in their tribe with the most complex social structures of any bees. Found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere but also across South America, these bees are gentle giants—females can sting repeatedly without losing their stinger, yet they largely ignore humans and other animals unless provoked. This laid-back attitude, combined with their critical pollination work, makes them invaluable allies in both wild and agricultural ecosystems.