Bulldozer Bee

Bulldozer bees are one of the zoo's largest bee species, with a wingspan of over seventy centimetres! Watch out, because these territorial insects throw their entire bodies at those that get too close to their nest, or their queen.
You'll find our colony of bulldozer bees in the south wing of the Buzzy Bees Sector. It is one of our largest exhibits in the sector, and our cameras set up in the queen's quarters allows you to view inside the nest at all times!

Bulldozer Bee by Mochi

Quick Facts

COMMON NAME: Bulldozer Bee
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Magnatergum fortis
DIET: Pollen
HABITAT: Grasslands and giant flower fields
CONSERVATION STATUS: Near Threatened
FUN FACT: Bulldozer bee poop smells like flowers! Cilvarthians use it in perfumes and colognes.

Did you know?

Bulldozer bees beat their wings just under two hundred beats per second. Any less, and they wouldn't be able to stay in the air! A flying bee produces sound around 70 decibels, similar to the average motor vehicle.

Anatomy

These bees are some of the largest in our collection. If you can't spot them by their size, you'll notice the flat, striped abdomen. They wiggle their abdomen to try and intimidate predators!

Colonies

Bulldozer bee colonies reach populations of a million. They dig deep underground and create complex labyrinths, with the queen's quarter in the very centre.

Threats

Bulldozer bees are native to planet Cilvarth, in the Milky Way. The slow decline in giant flower fields, their preferred habitat, is causing these bees to slowly decrease in numbers. While they are not currently endangered, they are heading down that path, slowly.

Bulldozer Bee Facts

They have five eyes, and can see in ultraviolet light.

Different hives have preferred flowers! This affects the taste of the honey.

They have many different methods of deterring predators, including spraying their flowery poop, and rolling into a ball and dive-bombing.

Visitor Reviews

Cleanliness: 8/10. Missed the part where we went through the shrink ray: 4/10. Probably lost weight after getting jump-scared: 10/10.

— Razhea

Nop. Noup. NOOooop. I'm out. This shit's too big, what was going on in nature's brain when she created these. Holy hell, I think these made me lose the fear of wasps and changed it for a fear of that.

— Catoblepon

75% bum 25% blebee, 200% big frends. Each time I come to the zoo, this is my favourite enclosure to visit.

— Stormbril

No honey from the giant bees in the gift shop? 0/10 stars.

— Demongrey

I love these big boys. I could watch them for hours - honestly, I often do. The way they fly is mesmerising.

— Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Small child cried looking at them. 10/10. Adults also. 100/10.

— Tynen The Mighty