Nevada bumblebee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nevada bumblebee |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Bombus
|
| Species: |
nevadensis
|
The Nevada bumblebee (Bombus nevadensis) is a cool type of bumblebee that lives in North America. You can find it from Alaska all the way down to California in the west. It also lives east to Wisconsin, and in warmer places like Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Contents
What the Nevada Bumblebee Looks Like
This bumblebee has a long proboscis, which is like a tongue. It uses this long tongue to drink nectar from deep flowers. It also has short, thick fur on its body.
Differences Between Male and Female Bumblebees
Female Nevada bumblebees, both queens and workers, have a completely black head. But the males have a yellow face and yellow fur on top of their head.
Body Colors
The main body part, called the thorax, is usually yellow. Sometimes, it has a black spot in the middle where there isn't any fur. The first three parts of its belly, called terga (or abdominal segments), are yellow. The rest of its belly is black. Male bumblebees often have a reddish tip on their tail.
Size of the Bumblebee
- A queen bumblebee is about 20 mm long.
- A worker bumblebee is about 17 mm long.
- A male bumblebee is about 14 mm long.
Similar Bumblebees
There is another bumblebee called the black and gold bumblebee (Bombus auricomus). Some people used to think it was just a type of Nevada bumblebee. But now, scientists have looked closely at their genes and bodies. They found that the black and gold bumblebee is actually its own separate species.
Where Nevada Bumblebees Live and What They Eat
Nevada bumblebees like to live in open spaces. These include wide, grassy areas called prairies and green fields known as meadows. They usually build their nests underground, hidden away.
Favorite Food Plants
These bumblebees visit many different kinds of flowers to find food. They especially like:
- Milkvetches
- Thistles
- Melilots
- Bergamot
- Penstemons
- Phacelias
- Salvias
- Betony
- Clovers
