Forest Bumble Bee

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bombus sylvicola: /ˈbɒmbus sɪlˈvɪkələ/

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Summary

Bombus sylvicola is a common species of bumblebee known as the forest bumblebee, primarily found in northern Canada and in the mountains of western North America, characterized by its shaggy coat and black face in females. It has shown changes in population dynamics due to climate change affecting the availability of long-corolla flowers.

Physical Characteristics

Relatively large, shaggy coat with hair that is long and tends toward grayish yellow; females have a black face with a small pale spot of hairs on the lower face.

Identification Tips

The interalar band is broader than in B. huntii and extends further posteriorly in a notch; the notch does not extend to the rear of the segment and is obscured by surrounding long pale hairs.

Habitat

Alpine and subarctic climates, found in open, grassy habitats such as mountain meadows; nests underground or sometimes on the surface.

Distribution

Throughout most of Canada, extending into Alaska and the western contiguous United States; usually absent from the northeastern United States.

Diet

Forages on food plants including sandworts, rabbitbrush, fireweeds, lupines, coyote mints, butterburs, mountain heathers, and groundsels.

Evolution

Polymorphic, with longer-tongued and shorter-tongued individuals; climate change is affecting the morphology of the species with longer-tongued individuals becoming less common.

Similar Taxa

• Bombus melanopygus

Misconceptions

Putative records in the northeastern United States are likely misdetermined.

Tags

• Bombus sylvicola
• Forest Bumble Bee
• North America
• Climate Change
• Pollinator