Features and
Habits
 

In terms of length, the queen is between 2 and 2.2 cm, the workers between 1.1 and 1.7 cm, and the males between 1.4 and 1.6 cm. In terms of characteristics, they are similar to honeybees in terms of coloration with black and yellow bands; however, this species has a more voluminous and hairy body.

The colony is hierarchical, consisting of a queen, the only female that reproduces in the colony, worker bees (sterile females), and males produced at certain times of the year. They feed on nectar and pollen, acting as pollinators. The colony is annual. In spring, the queen emerges from hibernation, seeks a suitable nesting site (such as holes in the ground, cavities in trees, or abandoned rodent nests), and begins nest construction. After the initial nest foundation and the production of workers, the queen produces new queens and males at the end of summer. The males and new queens leave the nest to mate. After mating, the new queens seek places to hibernate and begin the cycle again the following spring. With the arrival of autumn and the decrease in temperatures, the original colony declines. The workers and the original queen die, while the newly mated queens enter hibernation.