Bombus caliginosus
This record describes Bombus caliginosus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Nearly identical in color pattern to B. vosnesenskii but females usually have lateral pale fringes on S4 and a longer malar space. Males are separated by antennal proportions. Relatively few confirmed recent records reflect in part severe difficulties in identifying this species due to its great similarity to the more widely distributed B. vosnesenskii. Until more experts can quickly and reliably identify this species it will be difficult to evaluate its conservation status.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Apidae (Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees)
- Subfamily
- Apinae
- Tribe
- Bombini
- Genus
- Bombus (Bumble Bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Relatively humid and often foggy areas
Geographic Range
The Pacific Coast south to Central California. Towards the south of its range more or less restricted to the coastal fog belt and not expected at drier interior sites (where vosnesenskii abounds).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus caliginosus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Bombus caliginosus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Bombus caliginosus
What is Bombus caliginosus?
Bombus caliginosus is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Bombus caliginosus?
Nearly identical in color pattern to B. vosnesenskii but females usually have lateral pale fringes on S4 and a longer malar space. Males are separated by antennal proportions.
Where is Bombus caliginosus found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Relatively humid and often foggy areas |
| Range | The Pacific Coast south to Central California. Towards the south of its range more or less restricted to the coastal fog belt and not expected at drier interior sites (where vosnesenskii abounds). |
What does Bombus caliginosus eat?
The diet of the Bombus caliginosus includes The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..