Genus Bombus Scientific name Bombus fraternus Rank Species | Subgenus Cullumanobombus Higher classification Bumblebee | |
 | ||
Similar Bumblebee, Bee, Bombus auricomus, Bombus citrinus, Bombus nevadensis | ||
Bombus fraternus is a species of bumblebee known commonly as the Southern Plains bumblebee. It is native to the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It is most often encountered in the Southeast, in areas with sandy soil. They range from New Jersey to Florida, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and New Mexico. It is uncommon today, having faced declines in population; its estimated abundance is less than 15% of historical numbers.
Contents
Description
It is unusual among Bombus species in having the hairs of the body pressed against the body surface rather than "fluffy" as is true for nearly all other species. The bumblebee is black, with two yellow bands across the thorax and the anterior part of the abdomen of the queen and worker. The male usually has only one yellow band.
Behavior
The bumblebee is active from March to November. Among plants visited are Bidens, Padus, blanket flower, bush clover, Eryngium, Hypericum, Monarda, sumac, and Vaccinium.
