There are 35 bumblebee species in Norway. The bumblebee population is easily affected by agriculture, forestry, horticulture and various activities. Bumblebees' main food is nectar, and they collect pollen as food for their offspring.

The different species have different "flower preferences". The bumblebees' size, tongue length and head shape determine how efficiently the bumblebees can collect nectar and pollen from the different plants. Plants where the species performs well in the competition for resources are often preferred. Many species also have clear preferences as to which habitat they prefer. An example of this is the lousewort bumblebee, which prefers to seek out plants in the helmet genus (Aconitum).

Bumblebees are a key pollinator for a number of species, but they are not as effective as bees on, for example, fruit trees, as the pollen does not adhere as easily to the bumblebees. 

They have a hairy body and are particularly effective on self-fertile plants that need the bumblebees' vibratory pollination.

Generally speaking, bumblebees have developed into important/indispensable components of many ecosystems through long-term interaction with other natural elements. If bumblebee populations are reduced or disappear, this will have serious consequences for a number of species other than plants (such as other species of insects that parasitize on bumblebees or eat them).  ​