Pollinator
Guides
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 cryptarum
cryptic bumblebee, Cryptic Bumble Bee
Bombus cryptarum is a widespread bumblebee species native to the northern hemisphere, occurring across Europe, Asia, and western North America. It belongs to the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto, a species complex of morphologically similar and difficult-to-distinguish bees. The species was only recently confirmed in the British Isles and its complete distribution remains unclear due to ongoing taxonomic uncertainties. Several subspecies have been described, including the endangered B. cryptarum florilegus in Japan and the recently described B. cryptarum pallidocinctus.
Bombus distinguendus
Great Yellow Bumble Bee, great yellow bumblebee
Bombus distinguendus, the great yellow bumblebee, is a bumblebee species with a Palearctic distribution spanning northern and central Europe, northern Russia, and Alaska. The species has experienced significant population declines across much of its European range, with critically low numbers or local extinction in several regions. In Ireland, it is classified as Endangered and restricted to a single remaining population in the northwest. The species exhibits late-season phenology compared to other bumblebees and shows strong foraging preferences for specific plant species, particularly Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) in Irish populations.
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 fraternus
Southern Plains bumblebee
Bombus fraternus, commonly called the Southern Plains bumblebee, is a large bumblebee species native to the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It is classified in the subgenus Cullumanobombus and is currently listed as endangered, with estimated abundance below 15% of historical numbers. The species is distinguished by its mostly black coloration with yellow thoracic and abdominal bands and unusually flattened abdominal hairs.
Bombus frigidus
frigid bumblebee, frigid bumble bee
Bombus frigidus is a rare, cold-adapted bumblebee species native to arctic and subarctic regions of North America. Described by Frederick Smith in 1854, this species exhibits several specialized adaptations to its harsh environment, including thermoregulatory abilities that allow it to maintain flight at low temperatures, shortened copulation duration compared to other bumblebees, and an early-emergence colony cycle synchronized with brief arctic summers. The species has developed a notable mutualistic relationship with Mertensia paniculata, using floral color cues to efficiently locate nectar. Despite its rarity, B. frigidus is currently classified as Least Concern, though climate change poses a significant long-term threat to its specialized habitat.
Bombus griseocollis
brown-belted bumblebee, brown-belted bumble bee
Bombus griseocollis is a widespread North American bumblebee species commonly known as the brown-belted bumblebee. It is notable for its flexible habitat use, occurring in both natural and heavily urbanized environments including densely populated cities. The species maintains stable populations across much of its range, in contrast to many declining North American bumblebees. It exhibits primitively eusocial colony organization with temporal division of labor among workers.
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 mixtus
Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee, Tricoloured Bumblebee, Orange-Belted Bumblebee, Mixed Bumblebee
Bombus mixtus is a bumble bee species native to western North America, with a disjunct population in the Great Lakes region. It occupies diverse habitats including mountain meadows, taiga, tundra, chaparral, and open grassy areas. The species has been documented feeding on multiple flowering plant genera and nests both underground and on the surface. It is one of several Bombus species surveyed during 2016 conservation efforts for rare bumble bees in the Mt. Ashland area of Oregon.
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 polaris
Polar Bumble Bee
Bombus polaris is a social Arctic bumble bee adapted to extreme cold environments, occurring above the Arctic Circle in circumpolar regions. It possesses specialized thermoregulatory abilities, dense insulating hair, and constructs heavily insulated nests to survive near-freezing temperatures. The species has an accelerated colony cycle compressed into a short growing season of two to three months. It serves as a critical early-season pollinator in Arctic ecosystems and is the primary host for two social parasite species, Bombus hyperboreus and Bombus natvigi.
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 ternarius
Tricolored Bumble Bee, Orange-belted Bumblebee
Bombus ternarius is a small, slender bumblebee distinguished by its striking tricolor pattern of yellow, orange, and black bands. It is a ground-nesting, eusocial species with an annual colony cycle lasting one season. The species is common throughout the northeastern United States and much of Canada, where it serves as an important pollinator of native plants including Rubus, goldenrods, Vaccinium, and milkweeds.
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
Vancouver Bumble Bee, Vancouver Island Bumblebee
Bombus vancouverensis is a eusocial bumblebee of subgenus Pyrobombus, widespread across mountainous regions of western North America. The species was long treated as synonymous with Bombus bifarius, with most historical literature on bifarius actually referring to vancouverensis. Genetic studies completed in 2020 confirmed their distinct status, with true B. bifarius being exclusively red-tailed and geographically restricted, while B. vancouverensis is polymorphic and broadly distributed. It is one of only two bumblebee species known to use pheromones for kin recognition.
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.
Bombyliidae
bee flies, bomber flies
Bombyliidae is a large family of true flies comprising over 4,500 described species across approximately 270 genera. Adults are commonly known as bee flies due to their frequent resemblance to bees, often achieved through dense body hair and Batesian mimicry. They are important pollinators, particularly in arid environments, with some species possessing proboscises longer than their bodies to access deep floral tubes. Larvae are parasitoids or predators of other insects, with hosts including solitary bees, wasps, beetles, and other arthropods. The family has a cosmopolitan distribution but reaches greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical arid regions.
Bombyliini
bee flies
Bombyliini is a tribe of bee flies within the family Bombyliidae, characterized by adults that are typically active in spring and exhibit bee-mimicking morphology. Members of this tribe are distinguished from the related tribe Systoechini primarily by wing venation, specifically the position of the r-m vein. The genus Bombylius is the best-known representative, with species such as B. mexicanus occurring in North America. Adults are nectar feeders, while larvae are parasitoids of various insects including tiger beetle larvae (Cicindelidae).
Bombylius ater
Bombylius ater is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, originally described by Scopoli in 1763. The species is currently recognized as a synonym of Bombylella atra, though it was historically placed in the genus Bombylius. Bee flies in this group are characterized by their hairy bodies, long proboscises for nectar feeding, and parasitic larval stages. The genus Bombylius includes species that are active primarily in spring and are known for their hovering flight behavior.
Bombylius coquilletti
Bombylius coquilletti is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae. The genus Bombylius contains numerous species of bee flies that are parasitic in their larval stages, typically attacking solitary bees. Adult bee flies are important pollinators that visit flowers for nectar. This species was described by Williston in 1899.
Bombylius mexicanus
bee fly
Bombylius mexicanus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, characterized by its bee-like appearance and long proboscis. The species is widespread across North America, from Canada through the United States to Mexico, despite its specific epithet suggesting a Mexican origin. Adults are active in spring and are known to be skittish and difficult to approach. Like other bee flies, they likely parasitize the larvae of solitary bees.
Bombylius pulchellus
Beautiful Bee Fly
Bombylius pulchellus is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, distributed across northern North America from Canada to the northern United States. Adults are active in spring and are known for their parasitoid relationship with the sweat bee Halictus ligatus, whose larvae and pupae they consume. Unlike many bee flies, B. pulchellus pupates in soil away from the host nest rather than within it.
Brachygastra mellifica
Mexican Honey Wasp
Brachygastra mellifica is a neotropical social wasp and one of the few wasp species known to produce and store honey. Adults are small, measuring 7–9 mm in length, with workers and males displaying alternating yellow and black abdominal bands while queens are dark reddish-brown. The species constructs large paper nests in tree canopies that may persist for years in favorable climates. Colonies are exceptionally large, housing 3,500–18,700 individuals with multiple queens. The species has significant economic value as a pollinator of avocados and as a biological control agent for the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), a major citrus pest.
Brachyleptura rubrica
Red-winged Longhorn Beetle
Brachyleptura rubrica is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae: Lepturinae) described by Thomas Say in 1824. It is a flower-visiting species commonly found on white, compound, flat-topped inflorescences, particularly Hydrangea arborescens. The species is distinguished by its often abbreviated elytra and white-annulated antennae. Larvae develop in decaying hardwoods including beech, birch, elm, hickory, and maple.
Brachyleptura vagans
Brachyleptura vagans is a species of longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) first described by Guillaume-Antoine Olivier in 1795. It belongs to the subfamily Lepturinae, commonly known as flower longhorns, and is native to North America. The species is distinguished by its black elytra with small red patches behind the humeri and white-annulated antennae.
Brachyopa flavescens
Yellow Sapeater
Brachyopa flavescens, commonly known as the Yellow Sapeater, is a species of syrphid fly (hoverfly) described by Shannon in 1915. The species is fairly common in northeastern North America. Adults are associated with flowers, from which they obtain nectar and pollen. Larvae of the genus Brachyopa are of the rat-tailed type, though larvae of B. flavescens specifically have not been described.
Bradysia
darkwinged fungus gnats, indoor soil gnats
Bradysia is a large genus of sciarid fungus gnats comprising over 500 described species. The genus is best known for species that are major agricultural pests, particularly in greenhouse and indoor cultivation settings where larvae feed on plant roots and fungi. Several species, including B. cellarum, B. impatiens, and B. odoriphaga, have been extensively studied for their economic impact on liliaceous crops, edible fungi, and ornamental plants. The genus also includes species that function as pollinators of certain winter-flowering plants.
Burnsius oileus
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
A small skipper butterfly (family Hesperiidae) found from the southern United States through the Neotropics. Adults are active year-round in tropical regions and during warmer months in temperate areas. The species was transferred from genus Pyrgus to Burnsius in 2019 based on molecular phylogenetic studies.
Calliopsis andreniformis
Eastern Miner Bee
Calliopsis andreniformis, commonly known as the eastern miner bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America and has been documented as a specialist pollinator of plants in the family Fabaceae. The species belongs to a genus of small mining bees that typically nest in sandy or bare soils. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows and provision cells with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis anomoptera
Strange-winged Calliopsis
Calliopsis anomoptera is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Michener in 1942. The common name 'Strange-winged Calliopsis' refers to distinctive wing characteristics. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Calliopsis coloradensis
Colorado Calliopsis Bee
A small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to western North America. Females are solitary ground-nesters that provision burrows with pollen and nectar for their offspring. Males are often observed flying low over nesting aggregations in search of mates. The species is associated with sandy soils in prairie and open habitats.
Calliopsis filiorum
Calliopsis filiorum is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1963. The species belongs to the genus Calliopsis, a group of small to medium-sized ground-nesting bees. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct solitary burrows in soil. The specific epithet "filiorum" (Latin for "of the daughters") presumably references an aspect of the species' biology or discovery context.
Calliopsis helianthi
Calliopsis helianthi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, this species nests in the ground and is solitary, with each female constructing and provisioning her own nest burrow.
Calliopsis pugionis
Pugnosed Miner Bee
Calliopsis pugionis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It is found in North America, where it excavates burrows in sandy soil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and has a female-biased investment sex ratio consistent with local mate competition theory. It serves as the host for the cleptoparasitic bee Holcopasites ruthae.
Calliopsis rhodophila
Calliopsis rhodophila is a mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. The species occurs in Central and North America, where it nests in sandy soils. Like other members of the genus, it is solitary and ground-nesting. Observations of related Calliopsis species suggest males are notably larger than typical for the genus and exhibit hovering flight behavior near female nesting sites.
Calliopsis subalpina
Calliopsis subalpina is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1894. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized solitary bees that nest in the ground. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records spanning from middle to high elevations. Like other Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their offspring.