Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bombus impatiens: /ˈbɒmbəs ɪmˈpeɪtiənz/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Bombus (Pyrobombus) impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Bombus impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Bombus impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Bombus (Pyrobombus) impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Bombus impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Bombus (Pyrobombus) impatiens by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Bombus impatiens, commonly known as the Common Eastern Bumblebee, is an important pollinator in Eastern North America, known for its adaptability and large colony sizes. It thrives in varied habitats and is significant for agricultural pollination.

Physical Characteristics

Queen: body length 17-21 mm; Male: 12-17 mm; Worker: 8.5-16 mm. Pale T1 (tergum 1) and all black T2, with some individuals having yellow on T2. Tongue length: medium. The hair coat is shaggy, with visible integument beneath. The malar space is shorter than in B. bimaculatus.

Identification Tips

The color of the yellow tends to be paler (greyish) compared to other species. The scutum has a vague interalar band formed by darker interspersed hairs rather than a conspicuous yellow spot. The vertex has yellow hairs but may be less conspicuous than in B. bimaculatus.

Habitat

They can thrive in various habitats, including agricultural fields, suburbs, urban areas, wooded habitats, and wetlands.

Distribution

Eastern North America, from Ontario to Maine and south to south Florida. Common on the Atlantic coast; much less common near the western edge of its range (eastern ND, central NE, western KS, eastern TX).

Diet

Generalist; visits many flowering plants such as Solidago, Aster, Trifolium, Eupatorium, and others. They consume nectar and pollen, using them to make honey.

Life Cycle

Colony starts in mid-April; workers emerge by June; males and young queens appear in August and September. Colonies can exceed 450 individual bees.

Reproduction

Queens can lay around 2000 eggs in a season; workers exhibit reproductive suppression in the presence of a queen.

Ecosystem Role

Key pollinator species, particularly important for agricultural crops.

Economic Impact

Widely used for greenhouse pollination across North America. Significant role in improving crop yields and supporting the greenhouse industry.

Health Concerns

Hosts to some parasites and viruses, but no known harmful effects to B. impatiens.

Evolution

Part of the subgenus Pyrobombus; has close phylogenetic relationships with B. ephippiatus and B. vosnesenskii.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Could be confused with other bumblebee species like B. bimaculatus due to similar appearances.

Tags

  • bumblebee
  • pollinator
  • ecology
  • agriculture
  • conservation