Bumble-bee
Guides
Bombus affinis
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee, Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Bombus affinis, the rusty-patched bumble bee, is a large eusocial bumble bee endemic to North America. Once among the most common bumble bees in the eastern and upper Midwest United States and southern Canada, it has declined by approximately 87-90% across its historical range since the late 1990s. It was listed as endangered in Canada in 2010 and became the first bee in the continental United States to receive federal protection under the Endangered Species Act in January 2017. The species is distinguished by a distinctive rust-colored patch on the second abdominal segment of workers and has notably shorter tongues than other bumble bee species.
Bombus appositus
White-shouldered Bumble Bee
Bombus appositus, the white-shouldered bumblebee, is a western North American bumble bee species found in open habitats from southwestern Canada through the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada to central California. It nests underground or on the surface and has been documented feeding on diverse floral resources including giant hyssops, thistles, gentians, and clovers. The species is known to be a host for the cuckoo bumblebee Bombus insularis.
Bombus bifarius
Two-form bumblebee
Bombus bifarius is a eusocial bumble bee of the subgenus Pyrobombus, first described by Cresson in 1879. Recent genetic research (2020) has clarified its taxonomy: what was historically considered a single species with two color morphs (red-tailed 'bifarius' and black-tailed 'nearcticus') has been split into two cryptic species. True B. bifarius is now restricted to the red-tailed form found in the southern Rocky Mountains, while the black-tailed and variable forms belong to the sister species Bombus vancouverensis. The species is small-bodied and has been identified as one of only two bumble bee species known to use pheromones in kin recognition.
Bombus bimaculatus
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus, the Two-spotted Bumble Bee, is a social bumble bee native to eastern North America. The species is distinguished by two prominent yellow spots on its abdomen, which give it its common name. Unlike many Bombus species, B. bimaculatus has shown relative stability in population trends. It is an important pollinator in its native range, contributing to both wild plant reproduction and agricultural crop pollination.
Bombus cockerelli
Cockerell's Bumble Bee, Cockerell's Bumblebee
Bombus cockerelli is a bumble bee species with the smallest known range of any bumble bee species worldwide, restricted to high-elevation localities in the White Mountains of New Mexico. First described in 1913 from six specimens, it remained unobserved between 1956 and 2011. Fewer than 30 specimens have ever been collected. The species was once considered a potential subspecies, but fresh specimens now allow for genetic analysis to resolve its taxonomic status. Its entire range falls within protected U.S. National Forest and tribal lands.
Bombus crotchii
Crotch's bumble bee, Golden State bumble bee, Crotch's bumblebee
Bombus crotchii, commonly called Crotch's bumble bee or the Golden State bumble bee, is a short- to medium-tongue bumble bee endemic to California and adjacent regions. The species is classified as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act and listed as imperiled globally by the IUCN. It has experienced severe population declines attributed to habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and inbreeding depression. The species is a dietary generalist and important pollinator of native plants and agricultural crops.
Bombus fervidus
golden northern bumble bee, yellow bumblebee
Bombus fervidus is a North American bumble bee distinguished by its predominantly yellow coloration on the abdomen and thorax. The species is a long-tongued specialist that forages on flowers with deep corollas, and has been documented visiting over 20 plant genera including milkweeds, goldenrods, and blueberries. It exhibits complex social behavior including coordinated nest defense and worker-queen conflict over male production. Populations have declined significantly across most of its range, with habitat loss to agricultural intensification identified as the primary threat; it is currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
Bombus flavidus
Yellowish Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee
Bombus flavidus is a widespread Holarctic cuckoo bumble bee and one of the most broadly distributed bumble bee species globally. As a social parasite, it invades colonies of other bumble bee species rather than building its own nests. Recent taxonomic research has clarified its status, synonymizing the former North American Bombus fernaldae with B. flavidus while recognizing an eastern North American subspecies, B. flavidus appalachiensis.
Bombus flavifrons
yellow-fronted bumble bee, yellowhead bumblebee
Bombus flavifrons is a robust bumble bee native to North America, distributed across much of Canada, Alaska, and the western contiguous United States. The species exhibits intraspecific color pattern variation across its range due to Müllerian mimicry. It inhabits high-altitude and high-latitude environments including tundra, taiga, and mountain forests and meadows. The species is host to the parasitic cuckoo bumble bee Bombus insularis.
Bombus huntii
Hunt's Bumble Bee, Hunt Bumblebee
Bombus huntii is a native western North American bumble bee with a broad range spanning western Canada to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. The species occupies diverse habitats from desert scrub to high-elevation pine ecosystems and has been documented foraging on at least eight plant genera. While populations have declined, it remains among the more common bumble bees in western North America. Its genome was sequenced as part of the Beenome100 project.
Bombus impatiens
Common Eastern Bumble Bee, common eastern bumblebee
Bombus impatiens is a native North American bumble bee and the most commonly encountered bumblebee across much of eastern North America. The species exhibits high adaptability to diverse habitats including agricultural areas, suburbs, and urban environments, which has facilitated its widespread commercial use as a greenhouse pollinator. Colonies are founded annually by solitary queens and can exceed 450 individuals. The species has been introduced beyond its native range through commercial trade and serves as a key model organism for bumble bee research.
Bombus mckayi
McKay's Western Bumble Bee
Bombus mckayi is a North American bumble bee species originally described as a subspecies of Bombus occidentalis. It is now recognized as a distinct species within the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto. The species occurs in western North America, though detailed ecological information remains limited compared to better-studied congeners.
Bombus nevadensis
Nevada bumble bee, Nevada bumblebee
Bombus nevadensis, the Nevada bumble bee, is a North American bumble bee species distinguished by its long proboscis and distinctive coloration. Queens and workers have entirely black heads, while males display yellow on the face and top of the head. The species inhabits open habitats from Alaska to California and east to Wisconsin, with populations extending into Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. It nests underground and forages on a variety of flowering plants.
Bombus occidentalis
Western bumble bee, white-bottomed bee
Bombus occidentalis, the western bumble bee, is a medium to large bumble bee species native to western North America. Once among the most common bumble bees in its range, it has experienced severe population declines since the late 1990s, with losses exceeding 40% in some areas and near-disappearance from parts of California, Oregon, and Washington. The species was listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act in 2019. It is a generalist forager and effective pollinator of crops including tomatoes, peppers, and berries through buzz pollination.
Bombus pensylvanicus
American bumblebee, Sonoran bumblebee
Bombus pensylvanicus is a threatened bumble bee species historically widespread across eastern North America. Populations have declined approximately 90% since the early 2000s, with range contractions particularly severe in northern and eastern portions of its former distribution. The species is a long-tongued pollinator favoring open grassland and agricultural habitats. It maintains a typical bumble bee colony cycle with queens initiating nests in early spring and colonies persisting until late autumn. The species is of significant conservation concern and has been proposed for Endangered Species Act protection.
Bombus perplexus
Perplexing Bumble Bee, Confusing Bumblebee
Bombus perplexus is a bumble bee species native to northern North America, ranging across Canada and into the eastern United States. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in coloration, with queens being predominantly black with pale hairs while workers and males display more extensive yellow and white hair patterns. It occupies diverse habitats including taiga, tundra, temperate forests, and urban gardens. The species has been documented visiting a variety of flowering plants for nectar and pollen collection.
Bombus rufocinctus
red-belted bumblebee
Bombus rufocinctus, commonly known as the red-belted bumblebee, is a North American bumble bee species characterized by striking color polymorphism in abdominal patterning. Queens measure 16-18 mm, workers 11-12 mm, and males 12-13 mm. The species inhabits wooded areas, urban parks, and gardens across Canada and the western, midwestern, and northeastern United States. Males exhibit perching behavior and possess cephalic labial glands that secrete complex chemical mixtures likely involved in mating signaling. Nests are typically constructed on or above ground level.
Bombus sitkensis
Sitka bumble bee, Sitka bumblebee
Bombus sitkensis, the Sitka bumble bee, is a medium-sized bumble bee species native to western North America. It is distinguished by its distinctive color pattern featuring yellow and black on the thorax with a black central patch, yellow on the first two abdominal segments, black on segments three and four with yellow posterior rims, and brownish-red terminal segments. The species exhibits an exceptionally long flight period for queens, spanning nearly the entire year in some populations. It has experienced mild population declines in parts of California due to competition with Bombus vosnesenskii for nesting sites.
Bombus suckleyi
Suckley's Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Suckley's Bumble Bee
Bombus suckleyi is a cuckoo bumble bee (subgenus Psithyrus) and obligate social parasite of other Bombus species. It lacks corbiculae (pollen baskets) on its hind legs, having lost the ability to collect pollen and nectar for its own brood. The species invades host colonies, kills or subdues the resident queen, and manipulates host workers to provision its offspring. Native to northwestern North America, it has experienced severe population declines of approximately 77% and is classified as critically endangered by the IUCN and NatureServe.
Bombus sylvicola
Forest Bumble Bee, Forest Bumblebee
Bombus sylvicola, the forest bumble bee, is a North American bumble bee species with a broad distribution across Canada and Alaska, extending into the western contiguous United States. In California, it occurs only at high elevations, making it a high-altitude specialist. The species has been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate change, with rising summer temperatures threatening its populations. Research indicates that B. sylvicola is among the cool-adapted bumble bee species experiencing decline due to warming temperatures.
Bombus terricola
Yellow-banded Bumble Bee, Yellow-banded Bumblebee
Bombus terricola, the yellow-banded bumble bee, is a North American bumble bee native to southern Canada and the eastern and midwestern United States. The species has experienced significant population declines since the late 1990s, with range contractions particularly severe in its southern distribution. It is now classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and listed on the Xerces Society Red List of endangered bees. The species exhibits complex behavioral traits including thermoregulation for cold-weather flight and adaptive responses to queenless nests.
Bombus vagans bolsteri
Bolster's Bumble Bee
Bombus vagans bolsteri, commonly known as Bolster's Bumble Bee, is a subspecies of the half-black bumble bee. It is a native North American bumble bee in the genus Bombus, family Apidae. As a member of this genus, it is a social bee that lives in colonies with queens, workers, and males. The species Bombus vagans is known for its distinctive half-black coloration pattern, and the subspecies bolsteri represents a regional variant.
Bombus vancouverensis nearcticus
Nearctic Bumble Bee
Bombus vancouverensis nearcticus is a subspecies of bumble bee native to western North America. It belongs to a species complex that has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities previously treating it as a distinct species (Bombus nearcticus) or synonymizing it with related taxa. The subspecies occurs in montane and coastal regions where it participates in pollination networks. Like other bumble bees in the subgenus Pyrobombus, it exhibits social colony structure with a single queen founding nests in spring.
Bombus vandykei
Van Dyke's bumble bee, Van Dyke's bumblebee
Bombus vandykei, commonly known as Van Dyke's bumble bee, is a species of bumble bee native to western North America. The species was first described by Frison in 1927 and is named in honor of entomologist Henry Van Dyke. It is a medium-sized bumble bee with distinctive coloration that distinguishes it from closely related species. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern with a stable population.