The bumblebee's enemies
Bumblebees, with their fluffy appearance and industrious nature, seem untouchable at first glance. But, like any other living being, they too face a series of enemies that threaten their survival.
Parasites
One of the biggest threats to bumblebees is parasites, such as the trachea mite (Locustacarus buchneri), which affects the respiratory systems of bumblebees and can shorten their lifespan. In addition, there are also parasitic flies and wasps that invade bumblebee nests and feed on bumblebee brood or even adult bumblebees.
Predators
Bumblebees also deal with a variety of predators, including birds, mice, hedgehogs, and reptiles. These animals see bumblebees as tasty prey and won't hesitate to invade a bumblebee nest if they get the chance.
Spiders
Spiders can catch bumblebees in their webs and use them as food. Although bumblebees are often too big to be caught by spiders, younger or smaller ones can sometimes fall prey to spiders. In addition, spiders can sometimes be near bumblebee nests and try to catch bumblebees that come close.
