Perplexing Bumble Bee

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bombus perplexus: /ˈbɔm.bʊs pərˈplɛk.səs/

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Summary

Bombus perplexus is a bumblebee species native to northern North America, with distinct appearance and habitat preferences, primarily active from April to September.

Physical Characteristics

The queen is 17-21 mm long and mostly black with areas of pale hairs; the worker female is 12-14 mm long, hairier than the queen with a black and yellow abdomen; males are similar in size to workers with reddish-tipped mandibles and white hairs on the head and legs.

Identification Tips

Darker females can be recognized by the contrast between golden-yellow hairs on the thoracic dorsum and black hairs on the thoracic venter. Males typically exhibit golden-yellow hairs on T2-T3, though some may have T3 black, resembling the species vagans.

Habitat

Found in woodlands, orchards, ericaceous bogs, wetlands, wooded areas, and urban gardens.

Distribution

Alaska to Maine, south in mountains to Georgia.

Diet

Feeds on a variety of plants including bellflowers, thistles, honeysuckles, penstemons, pickerel weeds, and lindens.

Ecosystem Role

As a bumblebee, plays a significant role in pollination of various flowering plants.

Misconceptions

The common name 'Confusing Bumble Bee' is often misapplied to Bombus perplexus; it is more accurately termed the Perplexing Bumble Bee to differentiate it from Bombus confusus in Europe.

Tags

• bumblebee
• Pollinator
• native species
• North America