Bombus auricomus is a species of bumblebee known by the common name black and gold bumblebee.[1] It is native to eastern North America, including Ontario in Canada and much of the eastern United States, as far west as the Great Plains.[1]

Bombus auricomus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: Bombias
Species:
B. auricomus
Binomial name
Bombus auricomus
(Robertson, 1903)
Specimen

This species creates above-ground nests in grassland and other open habitat types. It feeds at many types of plants, including thistles, prairie clovers, delphiniums, teasels, echinacea, bergamot, penstemons, clovers, and vetches.[1]

This is a fairly large bumblebee; workers and males are about 1.7 to 2.0 cm long, while queens can be up to 2.5 cm in length. [2]

This bee was previously thought to be conspecific with the Nevada bumblebee (B. nevadensis), but the two are now considered separate species.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Hatfield, R.; Jepsen, S.; Thorp, R.; Richardson, L.; Colla, S. (2015). "Bombus auricomus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T44936424A46440186. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T44936424A46440186.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Bombus auricomus Black and gold bumble bee". Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Michigan State University. Retrieved May 6, 2023.