Bombus vagans

Smith, 1854

Half-black Bumble Bee

Species Guides

2

Bombus vagans is a small native to North America, distinguished by its distinctive half-black coloration with yellow on the and black on the . The exhibits a notably wide geographic range spanning from Ontario and Nova Scotia southward to Georgia. It is recognized for its relatively late from hibernation compared to other regional bumble bees, and for its atypical foraging in shaded forest . Colony size remains modest, with approximately seventy at peak development.

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

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Bombus vagans: /ˈbɔmbus ˈvaːɡans/

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

Identification

Distinguished from similar by the combination of: smooth bare central thoracic patch, half-black abdominal coloration (yellow on first two segments, black remainder), and medium-small size. Bombus sandersoni is slightly smaller. Bombus perplexus, Bombus impatiens, and Bombus affinis require careful comparison; B. impatiens has more extensive yellow on , B. affinis has different thoracic hair pattern and facial markings.

Images

Appearance

Small with medium-length tongue. , , and first two abdominal segments yellow; remaining abdominal segments black. with mixture of yellow and black hair. Thorax densely covered in shaggy yellow hair except for smooth, bare, shiny central portion. Underside and legs black.

Habitat

Forest , including shaded areas; nests located on ground surface or in underground holes

Distribution

North America: Ontario to Nova Scotia, southward to Georgia. Present in Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) and Southern Asia per GBIF, though North American range is primary and well-documented.

Seasonality

Queens emerge from hibernation in early May in Maine, with active June through August; activity begins approximately one month earlier in southern portions of range. Drones observed late in season on aster and goldenrod.

Diet

Queens favor apple and plum blossom; forage on red clover, Penstemon, Asclepias (milkweed), Cirsium (thistle), Eupatorium, and Spiraea (meadowsweet). Drones observed on aster and goldenrod.

Life Cycle

colony cycle with hibernating queens. Nests on ground surface or underground. Colony peak size approximately seventy .

Behavior

Emerges from hibernation later than most regional . Unusual among regional bumble bees for foraging in shady forest .

Ecological Role

; subject to nest by Bombus citrinus and by Apicystis bombi.

Similar Taxa

Sources and further reading