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Bombus griseocollis (brown-belted bumble bee)

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Taxonomy

No information at this time.

Description

Bombus griseocollis is a large bumble bee with a broadly-rounded head. The malar space, or cheek, is 2/3x long as it is wide. Males have large eyes. Both males and females have a "brown belt" in the middle of the second abdominal segment. The first abdominal segment is yellow and the rest black. The face and top of the head are black and the sides of the thorax are yellow.

Nest Structure

Bombus griseocollis nests are typically found on the surface of the ground and can be found in open farmland or fields, urban parks or gardens, and near wetlands.

Activity Period

Most colonies are completed by mid-summer.

Commonly Used Flower

Asclepias, Dalea, Echinacea, Lythrum, Melilotus, Monarda, Rudbeckia, Solidago, Trifolium, Verbena

Conservation Status

Bombus griseocollis is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN.

References

Laverty, T. M., & Harder, L. D. (1988). The bumble bees of eastern canada. The Canadian Entomologist, 120(11), 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.