EC00-1564 a Guide to Identifying Nebraska Bumble Bee Species

University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Extension

2000

EC00-1564 A Guide To Identifying Nebraska Bumble Bee Species

Marion D. Ellis University of Nebraska - Lincoln, [email protected]

Doug Golick University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected]

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Ellis, Marion D. and Golick, Doug, "EC00-1564 A Guide To Identifying Nebraska Bumble Bee Species" (2000). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension. 2011. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/extensionhist/2011

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A Guide To Identiir it'.E Nebraska' Bumble Bee bpecles 3, D:-g Gc rck, Graduate Research Assistant l,lar cr Ellis. Extension Entomologist Unii,ersity of Nebraska Deparlment of Entomology

ALI illustrations by Doug Golick

This guide is parl of a cooperative project of the: University of Nebraska Department of Entomology; Lincoln Public Schools Science Focus Program; <...:,. r:)r' and the Folsom Children's Zoo. lt is partially funded by a grant f rom the Nebraska Lottery's Educational lnnovation Fund.

@ Copyright by the University of Nebraska, 2000 on the Web:

http ://b u m b I ebooste rs. u n l . ed u

For more information on bumble bee biology, distribution, identification and links to related sites, visit the Bumble Boosters Web site. Links are also included to schools cooperating to conduct research on Nebraska bumble bees.

Anyone interested in natural history can make original discoveries about bumble bees. The Bumble Boosters Web site provides rdeas and gurdance for investigating bumble bees and pl3n1s thsy ,., 3 1. Table of Contents

\rq/hy Bumble Bees Are lmportant ...... 1 ...... '.....6 Capturing Bumble Bees....,...... 7 tvlaking a Reference Collection ...... 8 The Bee Family Tree...... 10 The Bumble Bee Family Tree...... 11 Bumble Bee Mimics ...... 12 How to Use the ldentification Guide ...... 14 Bee ldentification Guide ...... 17 Checklist of Nebraska Species .....17 ExternalMorphologyofBumbleBees...... 52 Glossary ...... 57 Additional Resources ...... 60 About Bumble Boosters ...... 61 Data Sheet for Collection Specimens ...... "... 62

5 Why Bumble Bees are Important

For most people, pollen means wildlife, increase soil fertility, and allergies and bees mean stings. beautify our landscapes. However, you should thank a bee, ln an era when human activities butterfly, bat, bird, or other pollinator have reduced nesting habitat and for one out of every three bites of food forage plants, we need to consider the you eat. Pollination is the transfer of impact we have on planVpollinator pollen from one flower to another. lt is relationships. Pollinators are a critical a critical step in fruit and seed produc- link in the ecosystems of both wild and tion. Some plants produce generous agricultural lands and play an impor- quantities of pollen and rely on the tant role in the interconnectedness of wind to transfer pollen. Many plant life in general. Bumble bees are a species, however, produce smaller great place to begin. They are beautiful amounts of pollen and have elaborate native insects whose distribution and mechanisms to attract pollinators. abundance can be nurtured by There are 95 crops grown in the pro,,,iding surtable nesting habitat and United States that require insect i^-^^^ ^ ^^+^ pollinators. ln additio". ma'\' 3ee- ool inated pla.ts c.c,,, ie '::: ': - Capturing Bumble Bees

o ^ --^- -{ ^-- - o- -^ LceEE>- v =:!€C3Si' handled carelessly. Males do not nale a'3:l^e r are act ,.re :n NebrasKa f rom a stinger. Ac:r to October. Dut tney are most For observation. captured bumble abundant in summer. They can be bees should be chilled in a small easily collected from flowers, areas cooler with an ice block for 30 minutes. near their nesls. or as they fly along at When chilled to the point that they are ground level in search of a suitable unable to fly, specimens can be nesting site. Bumble bees can be transferred to a magnifying box or captured in an insect net and then placed on a flat surface for observation transferred to small glass jars. They with a hand lens. They should not be also can be captured on flowers by taken far from the point of capture and placing a glass jar over them and should be released when you are quickly covering it with a lid. A captive finished observing them. Capture and bumble bee will always try to escape release is recommended in the early rather than use its stinger; however, spring when overwintered queens are females can and will sting if touched or establishing their nests. Making a Reference Collection

When making a reference collection, All specimens should be labeled with capture bumble bees in a kill jar the date, place of capture and the charged with ethyl acetate or in a net, collector's name. The data label and transfer them to a kill jar. Speci- should be placed on the pin beneath mens should remain in kill jars for 30 the specimen. minutes. Jars must be protected from After two or three days, sPecimens sunlight to prevent condensation will dry and become brittle. TheY because excess moisture may cause should be handled carefully to avoid body hair to become wet or matted. breaking appendages. This can make the specimen difficult to Reference collections will remain in identify. Reference collections should good condition indefinitely if protected be made in late spring and summer from insects that damage stored when queens have established their products. This can be achieved bY nests. Pin specimens by insertlng an placing a fert moth crystals in sicrage insect pin through the top of the thorax boxes. Lateral view of pinned bumble bee Top view of pinned bumble bee specimen. specimen. Bee Family

There are approximately 20,000 clearly see the branched hair as species of bees worldwide. About shown in the illustration. 3,500 species occur in North America. AII bees belong to the super family Most are solitary and nest in soil or Apoidea. They are classified into nine hollow plant stems. families based largely on tongue length Bees feed on pollen and nectar and and how they transport pollen. have branched body hairs for pollen collection. Most other insects lack body hairs or have a few unbranched hairs. Careful examination for the presence of branched hairs is usually sufficient to identify an insect as a bee. A dissecting microscope is needed to

Branched hair of bee The Bumble Bee Famiir free

-.'-= - l -:.= =_.: =_aa. -, - 1..: ; :a= l'::?-l: :^'.' = :--: = :::S s:ea:s :':--:3 Saas ,',:" l,', le ,, -:s ls:. .' =\ 6 E '=l'e-i. T-- -::*:a'a:i =,a= -:.a-- )a Bumb e bees belong to the fam Y z)'=-. -' I-'::e. \:':- .Ar='ca and Apidae, Bumble bees and honey bees As,a. TheL, occur' ,,', rh n ihe Arctic are the only mernbers of this family Circ e hov,,ever, they are virtually found in North America. The family is absent f rom the troprcs. characterized by females having a There are two distlnct types of pollen basket (corbicula) on their hind bumbie bees, The truly industrious legs for transporting pollen. Members genus (Bombus) and the of the genus Psithyrus are an excep- non industrious genus (Psithy rus) tion to the rule and do not have pollen which lacks a worker caste and baskets on their hind legs.

11 Bumble Bee Mimrcs When one animal resembles another The insects likely to be confused living in the same locality, it is called a with bumble bees are: 1) bees in the mimic. Mimicry is common in the insect genus Anthophora; 2) bee hawkmoths; world. Many bumble bees in a region and 3) several species of hairy flies. share a similar appearance. Their sting Female Anthophora, or digger bees, protects them from predators, who carry pollen along the entire length of learn to avoid them based on their color their hind legs rather than in a distinct patterns. This type of mimicry is called pellet in a pollen basket. Bee hawk- "Mullerian" mimicry. Mullerian mimicry moths will have Iong s ohoning is why careful observation is required to mouthpafis coiled under the r head. identify bumble bee species. The best bumble bee mimics are flies, Another common type of mimicry is F ies that mimic bumble bees on y "Batesian" mimicry. ln Batesian mimicry, have o"e oai'o' .'.'':=. T-e', -a'.e one species has a stinger or other defen- clrb-straoeC c'c:-s -? e i ':-:e':s - tH^ r _:,= sive mechanism and another, srmilar- .Jrs-L:.'-,'.^^^ ^^ ^ ^^.^:'=:--: ^ -L ::::: appearing species lacks the defensive necha'ism.rn Batesian -'- c'... a'thougn onr'., 1'e :a:c:i ^r= =:.:':-- >.E -- = : __ = = - -.-- -- Anthophora hind leg.

Bee hawkmoth with siphoning Top view of fly. mouthparts (side view). L Steps to Using the Identification Guide (con't)

The identification guide is organized with similar appearing bees grouped together and indicated by the color bar on the right. 7. Look at the descriptive information related to the picture you select as the best fit and check to see if all the characteristics described match your specimen lf not, try matching the characteristics with similar specimens. 8. Warm and release chilled specimens. Specimens killed for a reference collection should be pinned and labeled with the date, location collected. and the collector's name. 9. To verify your identification. send your specimen to an expert for confirmation. ldentification Guide

This guide (pages 17-51) is de- Drawings on pages 52-55 illustrate signed for identifying Nebraska the external morphology of bumble bumble bees. Most specimens will bees and can be used as identification clearly match one of the drawings; aids. A hand lens may be needed to however, some species exhibit slight observe some structures. A glossary of variations in appearance across their terms used in the identification guide range. The most common appearance will also aid you in learning key is represented in the illustrations. The characteristics. exoskeleton of all bumble bees is ln most cases, you will be able to black. Color patterns are due to quickly narrow the identity of your variations in hair color. Color illustra- specimen down to a few possibilities; tions in the identification guide reflect however, careful observation is the hair color of each body region. required to correctly ldentify some Always confirm your identification by specimens, Your skills v,,ill gro,,v ,,vith verifying the characteristics listed on pract ce. and you can ga n ccnfidence the page below the illustration. by having an excet ca't 'n .,a-' !^^- r .ie t t_-t^^. tl^-^ : Steps to Using the Identification Guide

J- PauLe t 3. Determ ne gender by counting antennal segments (12 for females, 13 for males) and checkrng lor pol en basket (present on Bombus females. absent on Bombus males and Psithyrus). (See illustrations, pages 53 and 55.) 4. lf speclmen is a female, determine it ilis Bombus or Psithyrus by checking for pollen basket (not present in Psithyrus). (See illustration, page 55.) 5. Compare the illustrations and descriptions on pages 17-5 1 with your specimen. (To best use the illustrated section, open this book flat, so that the illustration and matching description for each species appear together.) 6. Match the color patterns of your specimen to the color picture that best matches your bee. Start with the thorax, then observe the abdomen and head. Bumble Bee Identification Guide

Checklist of \ebraska Species

Bombus impatiens Bombus huntii Bombus griseocollis Bombus bifarius Bombus bimaculatus Bombus rufocinctus Bombus vagans Bombus centralis Bombus nevadensis nevadensis Bombus morrisoni Psithyrus variabilis Psithyrus insularis (rare, lD Bombus fraternus illustration not included) Bombus fervidus Psithyrus citrinus (rare, lD Bombus appositus illustration not included) Psithyrus suckleyi (rare, lD Bom b us n ev aden si s au ricom us illustration not included) Bombus pennsylvanicus Bombus occidentalis

L- & o r.;) q9 \_-,/ I I I - V ------Bombus impatiens male Bombu s impatiens female

Head: Face anr ',,el:ex ',',ilh yerlo',r' Head: Face with black hairs: vertex hairs: ocelli on slpraorbital Line: malar with yellow hairs: ocelli on supraorbital space slightly shorter than width of line: malar space slightly shorler than mandible. width of mandible. Thorax: Notum yellow with a small Thorax: Notum yellow with a small patch of black hairs medially; sides patch of black hairs medially; sides yellow. yellow. Abdomen: T1 yellow; T2-7 black. Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2-6 black. Other: Only Nebraska Bombus Other: Only Nebraska Bombus species with T1 yellow and f2-7 black. species with T1 yellow and T2-7 black.

L" Bombus griseocol I is male Bombus griseocol I is female

o ---_--\o (". ,) qt, \_/ rffi nE

r V - -- - - B o m b u s griseoco/Iis male Bom bus gri seocol I i s female

Head: =a:: i-t ,:iex ,,, l- ;er o,,, Head: Face and vertex r,rith biacx na rs: e)/es greaiLll s\1,'o iea: ocelli v/ell- hairs: ocellr 1 ocellar diameter below be ovr supraorbital line: malar space supraorbital line; malar space shofter much shoder than width of mandible. than width of mandible. Thorax: Notum yellow with small Thorax: Notum yellow with small patch of black hairs medially; sides patch of black hairs medially; sides yellow. yellow. Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2 brown Abdomen: Tl yellow, T2 brown (occasionally yellow) with posterolat- occasionally completely yellow, T3-6 eral corners black, lateral sides of T2 black. brown or yellow; T3 black, with lateral Other: B" griseocollis similar in sides having brown or yellow hairs; appearance lo B. bimaculafus and B. T4-7 black. vagans; B. bimaculatus and 8. vagans Other: B. griseocilis similar to 8. with long malar space; B. griseocollis morrisonii B. morrisonihas large with a short malar space. medial patch of yellow hairs on T3; B. griseocdlisT3 is entirely black" & q?, r r - v - rrrrrIttt tiLtLtttBLtt Bom bu s bi m aculatu s male B ombu s b imaculatus lemale

Head: =a:e a-l ,e:=,',',:-.,e ?,,, Head: Face hairs blackr vertex with hairs: ocel : on suprao'b lal lrne: malar yellow hairsr ocelli on supraorbita line: space longer than l,ridih of mandible. maiar space longer than width of Thorax: Notum yellow with a small mandible. patch of black hairs medially; sides Thorax: Notum yellow with a small yellow. patch of black hairs medially; sides Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2 black with yellow. two anteromedial patches of yellow Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2 black with hair; T3-7 black, occasionally T3-7 two anteromedial patches of yellow black with scattered yellow hairs. hair; T3-6 black. Other: B. bimaculatus similar in Other: B. bimaculatus similar in appearance 1o B. vagans; B. vagans appearance Io B. vagans; B. vagans T2 entirely yellow, B. bimaculatusT2 T2 entirely yellow; B. bimaculatusf2 black with two anteromedial patches of black with lwo anteromedial patches ol yellow hair, and lateral edges of T2 yellow hair, and lateral edges of T2 black. black.

23 Bombus vagans male Bombus vaganslemale & & @fH o r-- -__] I

- '7 ------Bombus vagans male Bombus vagans female

Head: =::: a-l .31e:.,,,:-. ,a :,,, Head: trace ,'. :- a ac< ^a 's: .e-ex '?':. --= :- S-;'::-::a 'a. -? a' ',', ih ye lo\\, hairs: oceili on supraorb ia scacg 3r33' t'a. ,',, 3t. 3f nandib e. line: malar space longer than width of Thorax: Notum ye: or,,\yith small mandible. patch of black hairs medially: sides Thorax: Notum yellow with a small yellow. patch of black hairs medially; sides Abdomen: T1 yellow; T2 yellow with a yellow. small posteromedial notch; T3-7 black, Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2 yellow with a occasionally T3-7 black with scattered small posteromedial notch; T3-6 black. yellow hairs. Other: B. vagans similar to B. Other: B. vagans similar to 8. bimaculatusi B. bimaculatus T2 black bimaculatus: B. bimaculatus T2 black with two anteromedial patches of with two anteromedial patches of yellow hair and lateral edges black; B. yellow hair and lateral edges black, 8. vagansf 2 entirely yellow with a vagansT2 entirely yellow with a posteromedian notch. posteromedian notch. Bombus nevadensis nevadensis Bom b u s nevadensis nevade n s i s male ^-, female & o-. (cOo) \_/ o {------_--1

V ------Bom bu s nevaden si s nev ade nsis Bom b us nev adens i s neY adens i s

Head: =ace ,', ir clac< narrs: vertex ',', ir 1,ello,,',, hatrs: ocelli 1 1 2 ocellar o,ameters below supraorbital line; rnalar space longer than width of Thorax: Nc:-- ,3 :,', ,', in a smai mandible. .< n:tnr ni a .^. - ) -:a = i,: SideS Thorax: Notum yellow with a small ye lo\.,'. patch of black hairs; sides black yellow 1/Bth. Abdomen: Ti -3 \,'e c,,^,: T4-7 black. except on anterior occasionalLy T4-7 olack vrith scattered Abdomen: T1-3 yellow; T4-6 black. yellow hairs. Other: Found only in western 1/4 of Other: B. nevadensis nevadensis Nebraska; similar lo B. morrisoni, B. similar lo B. morrisoni: B. morrisoni morrisonihas short malar space; B. notum completely yellow, and T3 black nevadenisis nevadensis has long with yellow hairs medially, black malar space. laterally; B. nevadenisis nevadensis notum with large posteromedian patch of black hairs and T3 entirely yellow. Bombus morrisoni male B om b u s m o rri soni temale & o o C} f-----r f------rr Uv - -- - tLILILt B o m b u s rnorrlsonr rnale ) eomOus morrisoni lemale ,,, -: 's .. Head: = =:: :- : ::,. , ? 1: . ': -., = : --= ' -= a' r a-e:e " 3e a,', s-c.aorb ia I ie: rnalar scace strght y shorler than rvidth of \.::-- mandtble. Thorax: :a-: e i3 _. r'e 3,,, l S.le> ,', 1' a^'.=' : " 8:- .: : ,', :le rest Thorax: Notum completely yellow; lvith biac< ^a ,, sides with anterior 1/Bth vellow the rest with black hair. Abdomen: Tt -2 ye11oi,,. T3 yellow medially rvtth s des hav ng b ack hairs: Abdomen: T1-2 yellow, T3 yellow with T4-7 with black ha rs, sides having black hairs; T4 black, occasionally having yellow Other: Very simllar in appearance to hairs anteromedially; T5-6 B. nevadensis nevadensis: B. completely black. nevadensi s nevaden sis notum yellow Other: Very similar in appearance to with large posteromedian patch of B. nevadensis nevadensis; B. black, and T3 completely yellow; B. nevadensis nevadensis having long morrisoni notum completely yellow with malar space with T3 completely yellow; T3 having some black hairs. B. morrisoniwith short malar space and T3 with some black hairs. 29 Bombus fraternus male Bom bu s fraternus female o o (o),r--\ \--l o Ir r V - -- - - Bombus fratemus male Bombus tratemuslemale Head: =":e a-: ,e::.r. ^a's:::( Head: =a:e a^r ,s1:x -a's: a:<.. ocel i 1 ocel ar d ameter belo,,.,, belc',', s;ctacrc ta i€: frt3rdi Spdc€ supraorbital iine: malar space shoder much shorler :han ,,r,'idth of mandible. than width of mandible. Thorax: Pronotum yellow: scutum with Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum broad interalar band of black; scutel- with broad interalar band of black; lum yellow: sides yellow. scutellum yellow; sides yellow. Abdomen: T1-2 yellow; T3-7 black. Abdomen: T1 -2 yellow; T3-6 black. Other: Only Nebraska Bombus male Other: Only Nebraska Bombuslhal that has swollen eyes, an interalar has an interalar band, T1 -T2 yellow, band, T1-T2 yellow, and T3-6 black; B. and T3-6 black; L fraternus usually f raternus usually larger than other larger than olher Bombus species. Bombus species. Bombus fervidus male Bombus terviduslemale o o o t? {------_l i----l [- [] -l v - - - Bombus fervidus male Bombus fervidus female Head: =::e :^: .::ex aa's :a-- Headl Face ano vertex hairs ccn- ,-_-- _ :,. i pietely =-\ -. - black: ocelli on supraorbital -e -: a-:3a:e ^1-ci orcer than ine: malar space much longer than ,r n'r -: mrnn h a width of mandible. Thoraxr Pronotum yellow: scutum with Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum arge nteralar band of black hairs; with large interalar band of black scutel um yelLow, sides completely hairs; scutellum yellow; sides yellow. yellow. Abdomen: T1-4 yellow; T5-6 black. T1-5 yellow; Abdomenr T6-7 black. Other: Common bumble bee through- Other: Males of B. fervidusvery out state; similar in appearance to 8. similar in appearance lo B. appositus; appositus; B. appositus having T1-5 B. aopositus only found in extreme yellow, B. fervidus having T1-4 yellow. western Nebraska; sides of thorax of B. appositus grayish-yellow; B. fervidus found statewide, sides of thorax are completely yellow. Bombus appositus male Bombus appositus temale o o ,{-\ €, o r---l :l --l:_l L] U ww v Bomhus apposilus male Bom bus appositu s lemale Head: =ac: a^l ,:ie:( ,,, i- :a Head: Face and veriex with pale = ,: :," :: ,"-:: -a':: ::: :^ :-praf '- yellolv to white hairs: ocelli on supraor- D :a 'e: rna a' space lcnger ihan bital line: malar space longer than ,,', dtr cf mandible. width of mandible. Thorax: Pronotum pale yellow to Thorax: Pronotum pale yellow to yellow-gray, scutum with large interalar yellow-gray, scutum with large interalar band of black: scutellum yellow to band of black; scutellum yellow to yellow-brownt sides with gray hair. yellow-brown; sides with black hairs. Abdomen: T1-6 pale yellow to yellow- Abdomen: Tl-5 pale yellow to yellow- brownrTT yellow to yellow-brown, with brown;T6 yellow to yellow-brown, with black hairs medially. black hairs medially. Other: Similar in appearance to B. Other: Similar in appearance to B. fervidus; B. fervidus with T1 -5 yellow fervidus; B. fervidus has T1-4 yellow and T6-7 black; B. appositus with T1 -7 and T5-6 black; L appositus has T1-6 yellow. B. appositus collected only in yellow and T7 black. B. appositus extreme western Nebraska. collected only in extreme western Nebraska. 35

- Bombus nevadensls auricomus Bom bus nevaden sis a u ricom us male femare & O (o) \__/ rD E t---l

V ------Bombus nevadensis auricomus Bambus nevaden s i s au ricom us Head: Face ','ilth black hairs: vertex hairs yellow: ocel i 1 112 ocellar drameters below supraorbital line; malar space longer than width of the mandible. Thorax: f,'a-::-- , e c,,', i scutrm ralith -::': :' :a^::': a:< sc-tei lm Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum v. -.,. < t:< : blaCk hairS On black; scutellum black with a few posie'i3r'l 81.. yellow hairs, to entirely yellow; sides, anterior 1/4 yellow, posterior 3/4 black. Abdomen: T1-3 ve iov,,: T4-7 black. T1 sometimes with Other: B. nevadenrs auricomus similar Abdomen: black, a few yellow hairs along posterior lo B. nevadensis nevadensis: B. edge;T2-3 yellow; T4-6 black. nevadensis nevadensis (found only in western 1/4 of Nebraska) notum with Other: B. nevadenis auricomus similar posleromedian patch of black hairs; L in appearance lo B. pennsylvanicus; nevadensis auilcomus (found through- B. pennsylvanicus with ocelli on out entire state) notum with large supraorbital line; B. nevadensis interalar band of black. auricomuswith ocelli well below supraorbital line. g7 tr o :l cr t, .'llflB0'rE

g)) o rlll ]l lr0]s o gl o Bom bu s pennsylvanicus male Bo m bus pennsyl van icus female Head: Face and verlex with black hairs: ocelli on supraorbital line: malar 1 space equal to width of mandible. Thorax: P'c^::un )/€ ov,: scutum with Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum inte.a a' oa^c cf c ac<: scute lum black; scutellum black occasionally ye io',,,: siCes arterior 3 4 yellow. with a few scattered yellow hairs; si posterior 1 r blac( or gray. black with anterior 1/8th yellow. Abdomen: T1-5 yellow: T6-7 black or Abdomen: T1 black with yellow hairs black rvith yellow intermixed. occasion- on the posterior edge, occasionally T1 ally T6-7 wrth orange hairs. entirely black; T2-3 yellow; T4-6 black. Other: B. pennsylvanlcus males Other: Most common bumble bee similar to males of B. fervidus: B. throughout Nebraska. Similar to L fervidus sides of thorax yellow; B. nevadensis auricomus', B. nevadensis pennsylvanicus anterior portion of the auricomus ocelli 1 1/2 ocellar diam- side of the thorax yellow, posterior eters below supraorbital line; B. portion black. pennsylvanicus ocelli on supraorbital line' 39 tr o $ a o oct oa-

0r (|l!!to' o J q) 6-

E o B tr o o o o oa

qr (l![]OD th o 3 9L o Bombus rccidentalis male Bombu s occidental is female Head: Face a.3 ,,e1gx .a.s,,rel ot^,,or Head: Face and veftex hairs pale 'Ji,'r te: cce on s!cracrbital ltne: malar yellow or white; ocelli on supraorbital space s g'r: \, shcner :han ivrdth of line: malar space slightly shorter than 1 rnandib e. width of mandible. Thorax: Coloratron highly var able: Thorax: Coloration highly variable; pronotum yel oy,,: scutum black: pronotum yellow; scutum black; scutel- scutellum yellour rt,ith black hairs lum yellow with black hairs intermixed; intermixed: sides of thorax mostly sides of thorax mostly black; occasion- notum completely yellow with pos- black: occasionally notum completely ally teromedian patch of black hairs. yellow with posteromedian patch of black hairs. Abdomen: Coloration variable, but always with white or yellow tail;Tl Abdomen: Coloration variable, but black, T2 yellow with brown or black yellow always with white or tail;Tl hairs anteromedially; T3 yellow; T4 black, T2 yellow with brown or black black; T5-6 white or yellow. hairs anteromedially; T3 yellow; T4 Other: B. occidentalis has the most black with yellow hairs on the anterior variation in color pattern of any Nebraska edge and white hairs on the posterior Bombus species. B. occidentalis iound edge; T5-7 white or yellow. only in western 1l4lh of Nebraska. 41 Bombus huntii male Bombus huntii lemale o & o (o, I -U --l - !7 - - - - Bombus huntii male Bombus huntiifemale Head: ==c: a-t ,e1ex â's',e: c,',: Head: Face and vedex hairs yellow; cce :- s-c'a:'3:a ê: -a ar space ocelli on supraorbital line; malar space s1ig"t''' s^313r' t'a" r',ldth of mandible. slightly shorter than width of mandible. Thorax: P.crctL,.r vel cl,,: scutum with Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum with interalar band of blac<: scutellum interalar band of black; scutellum yellol'r: stdes 1,sl 19v,,. yellow; sides yellow. Abdomen: T1 yellovu: T2-3 orange- Abdomen: Tl yellow; T2-3 orange- red: T4 yellorv: T5 yel ow with black red; T4 yellow; T5-6 black. hairs medially. T6-7 black, Other: B. huntii close in appearance to Other: B. huntiiclose in appearance to B. bifarius; B. bifarius hairs along B. bifarius: B. bifarius scutellum yellow corbicular fringe reddish-yellow, and with distinct patch of black hairs scutellum yellow with distinct patch of through middle of scutellum, and black hairs through middle of scutel- lateral edge of T3 black; B. huntii lum; B. huntii corbicular hairs black scutellum entirely yellow, and lateral and scutellum entirely yellow. edges of T3 orange-red. l-, Bombus bifarius male Bombus bifarius female & A t?, v, I I [_]U - - V - - - - Bombus bffariusmale Bombus bitarius female Head:==-:: :-: ,:i:,. ,',:- .,e :.', â's: Head: Face and verlex with Yellow lae :a s-:r'a:': :a ne: -a a' space hairs; ocelli on supraorbital line; malar s j.: ., a-!g' '.t a' ,1, c:' c{ rrandible. space slightly longer than width of Thorax: D":-a:-r-' \'e c,!: scutum with mandible. irtera ar iaro 3' b ac<: scutellum Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum yel c',', ,,', :h c s: nci anteromedial interalar band of black; scutellum triangu ar pa:ch o{ biack hairs through yellow with distinct anteromedial the mrddie: siCes yellotv. triangular patch of black hairs through Abdomen: T1 yellow: T2-3 orange-red; the middle: sides yellow. T4 yellorv: T5 yellow rvith black patch of Abdomen: T1 yellow; T2-3 orange- hairs medially: T6-7 black or black with red T4 yellow; T5-6 black. scattered yellow hairs. Other: B. bifarius close in appearance Other: B. bilarius close in appearance lo B. huntii; B. huntii wilh hairs along yellow 1o B. huntii, B. huntii with solid corbicular fringe black; B. bifarius scutellum; B. bifarius yellow scutellum corbicular fringe of hairs reddish- with distinct anteromedial triangular yellow. patch of black hairs through middle of scutellum. 45 B o m b u s r uf ocl n ctu s male B om b u s rufoci n ctu s female o o t3, (+)

-- -- I fl [- - V - !7 - - BontbtJs rufiocittct s male Bom bus rufrci nctus temale Head: tra:= 't,:' r aa{. -a "S. 'dedex Head: Face with black hairs; vefiex ,',:- .,€ :,,, -a's c:-::-^: e.,es with yellow hairs; ocelli on supraorbital s,,,3e- l,i3 !3 1,,,SU!'33:Dital line; line; malar space much shorter than ,.I..ch !'r-ra ar s3a:e s:cfter:han lvidth width of mandible. of r'ta^c r e. Thorax: Pronotum yellow, scutum with interalar band of black; scutellum Thorax: Prcnctrr L,€l oi'i: scutum with interalai ba"d cf a ack: scutellum yellow; sides yellow. yellov,: sides ye Lc,r,. Abdomen: T1 yellow, T2 yellow on on posterior Abdomen: Tl yeilorv. T2-4 orange-red anterior 112, orange-red yellow; T3 orange- or yellow: T5 yeliorv: T6-7 black. half or completely red or yellow; T4 yellow; T5-6 black. Other: B. rulocinctus males are the Other: B. rufocinctus females similar only red tails in Nebraska with swollen in appearance lo B. huntii and B. bifari B. huntii and B. bifarius lateral ocelli more than 2 ocellar diameters from com pound eyes; B. rufocinctuslaleral ocelli less than 2 ocellar diameters from the inside of each compound eye Bambus centralis male Bom bu s central is female & rg Er

-- - EsnDss centralis male Bo m b u s cc ntra I i s temale Head: =':e ,', :. :a c ;€ C,,, l' /,^rie Head: Face with pale yellow or white he's. .e(er r,, ii _r€ c,r, .a rs. cce li on hairs: vertex with yellow hairs; ocelli on S-:'o,': -a -=. -= =- <-lQ! Q1!€I supraorbital line; malar space Ionger :ha- J, a:' a' -ana ! e. than width of mandible. Thorar: Pronottn- i,e c'&': scutum with Thorax: Pronotum yellow; scutum with large in:era a. ba'id cf black hairs: large interalar band of black hairs; scuiellum ),e ,o\\'i sides yellow. scutellum yellow; sides yellow. Abdomen: Tl yellorv to yellow-brown; Abdomen: Tl yellow to yellow-brown; T2 yellorv rvith an anteromedial area of T2 yellow with an anteromedial area of brown hairs: T3-4 orange-red: T5 black brown hairs; T3-4 orange-red;T5-6 with orange-red hairs along anterior black. edge: T6-7 black. Other: Found only in western Other: Found only in western Nebraska; only red tail with T3-4 Nebraska. orange-red. Psithyrus variabi I is male Psithyru s varia bi I is female o @ t---tI E]

-- - P s idt yru s varia&Iis rna,le P s ithyru s vari abi I i s lemale Head: Face with black hairs. vertex r',,ith yellow hairs: ocelli on supraorbital line: malar space slightly shorter than width of manidible. Thorax: \"::-- _,e :,,, ,,, in a smaii Thorax: Notum yellow, with a small pa:,-- :': a:{ -='s -:l a ,'. s des patch of black hairs medially; sides ye lc',',. yellow. Abdomen: T: rrE c',.,. T2 black: T3 Abdomen: T1 -6 entirely black; very yellov,, i,;iih c,ac( hairs mediatly: T4 few hairs and those present are short yellorv rvith blacx hairs on posterior and black. edge: T5-7 black. Other: P variabilis is parasitic on Other: P variabdis males are rare and Bombus species. Rare, found only in are only found in the fall. or around Bombus nesting sites. P variabilis distinguished from Bombus species by shiny appearance of abdomen and absence of pollen basket. 51 External Morphology of Bumble Bees

compound eye

pronotum srde thorax interalar band scute lum malar space T1

T3 rvidth of mandrble

n arC ble

Top vierv of bumble bee Side vievr oi bumble bee head. pedicel

f11 scape

flageLlum

Male antenna. Female antenna. External Morphology of Bumble Bees (con't)

ocelli "?bital line swollen compound eyes

antennal fossa ooo @s

I \

malar space

Frontal vierv of bumble bee head. Head vrith swollen compound e trochanter

pollen basket (corbicula)

corbicular fringe of hair-

basitarsus tarsomere

Hind leg of male Bombus and Hind leg of female Bombus. male/female Psithy ru s. t-_ Glossary Head

Antennae pair of segmented sensory appendages attached to the head. Female bees- have 12 antennal segments. males have 13. Antennal fossae base or points where antennae attach to head. Condyles points- where mandibles attach to the head. Compound- eyes eyes made of many facets or individual elements. Face-front of head,- area above mouth. betrveen compound eyes and extend- ing to the base of the antennae. Head front part of the body bearing the compound eyes. ocelli. aniennae and mouthpafts.- Malar space the distance betl,,een t're Dcf 3T .i :he compound eye and the nearest point -of the mandibular y,,idt'. Tc ce^t'.,, r-rb e bees. rt is sometimes necessary to compare the r^iidth o't^e 'ra.l3 e ,,, :i- :'e ength of the malar space. Long malar- mea.s :-a: :Fe -a :' :3::: : :-:e':ra^ :^c,,', dih of the mandible, .' :._-.

, '.'. i, r U UUI luy lsa vl a t r rar rurure. '.=.'== = r',','o condvies of a mandible. t:a::i cn the vefiex or between the com - :'angular pattern. Lateral ocelli refer to the =. es o1e on each side). -e .nat stretches across the top edges of the :' :ne head is viewed from above, the position of :e or,',/. or on this imaginary line -: Vertex - crovn of the head.

Thorax

Corbicula (pollen basket) - a concave structure surrounded by a fringe of hair on the outer surface of the tibla, located on the hind legof Bombusfemales. lnteralar band a band of hairs that stretch from wing-base to wing-base. Leg jointed walking- appendage attached to the thorax. Bumble bees have three- pairs of Legs: forelegs, middle legs, and hind legs. Glossary (con't)

Medial patch of hair refers to a circular patch of hairs in the middle of the scutum. - Notum refers to the entire top surface of the thorax. Pronotum- first segment of the notum. closest to the head. Also called the collar. - Scutellum - last segment of the notum. Scutum - second or middle segment of the nc:ur. Side - refers to the lateral aspect of the thci'ax. Thorax middle parl of the body bet',,,ee' t-e ^:at a-l r3l:-e1 t//ings and legs are -attached to the thorax,

Abdomen

Abdomen hind oa: c' r-e :: 1.. ::: i'=':a " --''- :' =, :. 1 : :-s:- :: :- lr "waist " - ='' = ::::- -a ex:s{e c:on. bumble bee :* '= '.' c: ci pallerns. =acnTergites are numbered :.'l-- . csest to the thorax. They are designated ---.c': 'cr example T1 orT2. There are six --c e bees and seven in males.

Ilr Additional Sources Alford, D.V. 1978. The Life of the Prys-Jones, O.E,. and S.A. Corbet. Bumblebee. Davis-Poynter, Limited, 1991. Bumblebees. The Richmond London, B0 pp. Publishing Company, Limited, Slough, Great Br taln, 92 pp. Heinrich, B. 1979. Bumblebee Eco- nomics. Harvard University Press, lnternet Cambridge, 245 pp. Bumble Boosters t//eb Site: Il:lt)-A*^, L-- :c:-->.c--Ul----.^ ^1 ICUU ^r-- Matheson, A. Ed. 1996. Bumble Bees Fcr nfc'-a: :- :- .--c e bee biology, for Pleasure and Profit. lnternationa dis:r':"::^. a-l :e-'.'cz,l cn vis t the Bee Research Association. Card ff, B--: = =::=::'s,',:: s :e. -r s site U.K.,47 pp. ,:: ::^:1-: -'>:- ;::: :^3 ,^^ ^-^-- ^1 ic ::-- -=: a - = - = -=-=: - Buckman. S.L. and G.P Nabham. =:- --: ,,,=-'i=B--ole ;'a::'.. l<^^:'a"q -.^ 1996. Tt-e Forgotten Po = :^: =^' Press, Washington D.C .2?2:= -\t'out Burrble Boosters

ex: - rng pollinators f rom natrve and :; iivated flora. and plant species vrsited by bumble bees. Project results ,,v ll be published to guide Nebraskans who wish to provide nesting habitats and forage plants for these amazing and beautiful pollinating insects. For more information contact: '2:-Z :".'=: ':_::: ::- :-eale a Bumble Boosters University of Nebraska c:^l-.: a-:^.^: :'gsea'ch on bumble Department of Entomology oees . \e:'as

Ili Data Sheet for Reference Collection Specimens copy this data sheet, complete it and the illustration labeling below, and submit with specimens when requesting identification confirmationl

1 " How many antennal segments? (12 or 1 3)

2. Does it have a pollen basket? (Yes or No)

3. Are the ocelli on, above, or below the supraorbital line?

4. ls the malar space long, short or intermediate? 5. lndicate the hair color of your specimen by coloring- the diagram below. lf color pencils are not available, label the region with a text description of the color.

6. What gender do you think you collected?

7. What species do you think you collected?

B: s-"e r":-'s3ec re- has a abe :^a: ^a -1':a caies,,,,he.e cc ecteC date co lected. :: a:'.a'-<'2^*: 1''.::=:+-r:^: S::: -=- ,,,a= --: :::::'._- f emaletu ((Z,3r- >l- \;/- /-\\----l--\ r------l- [___]- \::::7 _ Bumble Boosters rs a cooperative project of the

Department of EntomologY L ncoln Public Schools Science Focus Program F Folsom Children's Zoo lii " Funded. in part, by the

Nebraska Lottery Educational lnnovation Fund

Cooperative Extension lnstitute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Nebraska

lssued in lurtherance ol Cooperative Extension work, Acls of [,4ay 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the u.s. Department of Agriculture. Elbert Dickey, Director of cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska, lnstitute of Agriculture and Natural Resources