Black-tailed bumble bee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black-tailed bumble bee |
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| "Red butt" morph, Manitoba | |
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Bombus edwardsii |
The black-tailed bumble bee (scientific name: Bombus melanopygus) is a type of bumblebee that lives in western North America. You might also hear it called the black tail bumble bee or orange-rumped bumblebee. These busy bees play an important role in pollinating many plants.
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About the Black-tailed Bumble Bee
This bumble bee is found across a large area of western North America. It lives from the Pacific Ocean all the way to the Rocky Mountains. Its range stretches from Alaska in the north down to Baja California in the south.
Different Looks of the Black-tailed Bumble Bee
The black-tailed bumble bee can look a bit different depending on where it lives. There are two main forms:
- Red form: These bees are sometimes called "red butts" because their second and third body segments are red. You'll mostly find them in places like Oregon and further north, and also in the Rocky Mountains. This form is scientifically known as Bombus melanopygus melanopygus.
- Dark color form: These bees have black segments instead of red ones. They are most common in California and southern Oregon. This form was once thought to be a separate species called Bombus edwardsii.
Scientists used to think these two forms were different species. But, thanks to modern genetic tests, we now know they are actually the same species. The differences in color are just variations within the same group of bees. So, Bombus edwardsii is now considered a synonym for Bombus melanopygus.
Where Black-tailed Bumble Bees Live and What They Eat
The black-tailed bumble bee is quite adaptable. It can live in many different places, including farms and even cities. It's one of the few bumble bees that can still be found regularly in San Francisco.
These bees are important pollinators and visit many kinds of plants to find nectar and pollen. Some of their favorite plants include:
- Manzanitas
- Ceanothus
- Goldenbushes
- Wild buckwheats
- Lupines
- Penstemons
- Rhododendrons
- Willows
- Sages
- Clovers
Black-tailed bumble bees build their nests either underground or in structures above ground.
The Black-tailed Bumble Bee and the Zombie Fly
This species of bumble bee can sometimes be a host for a special kind of fly called the zombie fly (Apocephalus borealis). This fly lays its eggs inside the bee.
