IMPATIENS (Common Eastern Bumble Bee)
Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens)
IMPATIENS 3
Bombus imaptiens (subg. Pyrobombus)
IDENTIFICATION: SIMPLE
PREVALENCE: LOCALLY ABUNDANT to UNCOMMON
Impatiens is an abundant bumble bee within the City of Thunder Bay but is scarce elsewhere in the area. Broadly speaking, impatiens made up 2% of the 2755 specimens. The species was historically not found in the region; however, has likely recently been introduced or adventive likely as a result of the species use in the greenhouse industry. It is native to eastern North America.
The species is relatively simple to identify, even though impatiens is a member of a broader group of Bumble Bees that mimic each other, which includes in our area: vagans, bimaculatus, griseocolis, sandersoni, and perplexus. Impatiens is not variable and can reasonably be identified by yellow on T1 only. The species also shows a mild bald patch on the thorax between the wings, typcally with yellow hairs present. The face also often has some yellow hairs. To properly identify this species, a photograph from the above (preferably) or form the side (alternatively) is all that is required. Males are similar to females.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Bob Peterson, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/pondapple/6489709385/
- (c) Bill Greaves, all rights reserved, uploaded by Bill Greaves
- Adapted by Bill Greaves from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_impatiens
More Info
- iNat taxon page
- Animal Diversity Web
- Biodiversity Heritage Library
- BOLD Systems BIN search
- BugGuide
- CalPhotos
- CUIC Insect Images
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- Guide to Bumble Bees of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas
- Maryland Biodiversity Project
- NatureServe Explorer 2.0
