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Bombus impatiens (common eastern bumble bee)

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Taxonomy

No information at this time.

Description

Bombus impatiens are small to medium bees with a round head. They have a medium-length tongue. The face has black hairs with a few yellow hairs mixed in occasionally. The thorax is a light, lemony yellow color with a black spot between the wing bases. The hairs on this spit are frequently worn, leaving just the black cuticle. The first abdominal segment on both males and females is yellow and the remaining segments black.

Nest Structure

Bombus impatiens typically nest underground.

Activity Period

Bombus impatiens has intermediate emergence but may remain active through the fall.

Commonly Used Flower

Aster, Impatiens, Malus, Rubus, Solidago

Conservation Status

IUCN species of least concern

References

Laverty, T. and L. D. Harder. 1988. The bumble bees of eastern Canada. Canadian Entomologist 120: 965-987.
Williams, P., Thorp, R., Richardson, L., & Colla, S. (2014). Bumble bees of North America : An identification guide. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Minnesota Record Map

These data are from the Minnesota Bee Atlas project.