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Bombus rufocinctus (red-belted bumble bee)

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Taxonomy

No information at this time.

Description

Bombus rufocinctus is a small, round-faced bee with a short tongue. They are quite variable in their color patterns. In fact, many red-belted bumble bees may have no red hairs at all! In Minnesota, we tend to see two color patterns and both may be found in the same colony. The "red belt" will usually not be as distinct as the orange abdominal segments on Bombus ternarius and the edges will often blur into the next color band. Male eyes are slightly enlarged.

Nest Structure

Nests are usually on the ground and may be close to wooded areas or in urban parks and gardens.

Activity Period

Late season bee

Commonly Used Flower

Chicorum, Eupatorium, Fragaria, Helianthus, Melilotus, Solidago, Trifolium, Vicia, Viguiera

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.