CLOSED: How can I tell the different between bumblebees

Malus2006 Coon Rapids, MN(Zone 4a) Jan 23, 2008

There are Three bumblebee species with close to similiar range. One is listed on the Bugfile as Bombus impatien and the others that are not listed on Dave's Bugfiles as Bombus fervidus Golden Northern Bumble Bee and American Bumble Bee Bombus pennsylvanicus.

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maccionoadha Halifax, MA(Zone 6a) Jan 29, 2008

Bombus fervidus: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Bombus+fervidus

Both: Face and head mostly black, Black band between wings. Wings smoky. Pollen basket on hind tibia

Female: Yellow on most of thorax and abdominal segments1-4, black on 5-6

Male: yellow on segments 1-5, black on 6-7.

Bombus pennsylvanicus: http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Bombus+pennsylvanicus

Larger then B. fervidus. Behind the wings is black with yellow on segments 1-3.

I hope this helps. I'll look to see if I can find pics somewhere.

This message was edited Jan 28, 2008 11:45 PM

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Malus2006 Coon Rapids, MN(Zone 4a) Feb 10, 2008

Thanks - I just checked bugguides and found more than 6- 7 species of Bombus alone for the Eastern United States! And that is not to metion the parasitic ones but obvous they are not common. I'm only one level above the average public into knowledge of bugs - up till now I thought there were only two species - the red side ones that are found in boreal forests and the common one found over the Eastern United States and whatever species are left for the West or Deep South! Blame my limited field guides but I will never get used to the more specific (and dry - no color pictures) rarer guides. Thanks again. I will try to catch and photograph one from my yard when spring comes and try to use bugguides or another one I found metioned on Bugguides - DiscoverLife - seem like there's only one colony in my yard but never use the same location every year - I had to destroy one in the dirt/compost pile in my yard last year - just bad location for the colony. They seem to like loose earth or rodent tunnels - I have chipmunks, shrews (I know because they like to commit suicide in my small ponds no matter what I do) and mice so there's plenty of tunnels.

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maccionoadha Halifax, MA(Zone 6a) Feb 10, 2008

Kawonkamish(Greetings),

I hope you let us know which ones you have. If the pics are good, please add them to the Bug Files, I'd love to see them.

Aquene kah nahonnushagk(Peace and farewell),
Moe / Wahtukques Sochepo(SnowRabbit)