Cockerell's Bumble Bee
Bombus cockerelli
This record describes Bombus cockerelli (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Color patterns resembles some populations of the eastern B. sandersoni with a black interalar band The known distribution covers only about 777 km2, giving it the smallest known range of any bumblebee in the world. Most of the known specimens are late-season queens and males remain unknown, suggesting that the species may nest and forage in areas of dense forest. (Yanega 2013)
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
Geographic Range
Very narrowly distributed in the mountains of New Mexico (Yanega 2013)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Has been collected on Carduus as recorded in the Hosts section of its Discover Life species page .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bombus (Pyrobombus) cockerelli Franklin, 1913
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus cockerelli. 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 Cockerell's Bumble Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher
Frequently Asked Questions About Cockerell's Bumble Bee
What is Cockerell's Bumble Bee?
Cockerell's Bumble Bee (Bombus cockerelli) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Cockerell's Bumble Bee?
rather small
How do you identify Cockerell's Bumble Bee?
Color patterns resembles some populations of the eastern B. sandersoni with a black interalar band
Where is Cockerell's Bumble Bee found?
Range: Very narrowly distributed in the mountains of New Mexico (Yanega 2013)
What does Cockerell's Bumble Bee eat?
The diet of the Cockerell's Bumble Bee includes Has been collected on Carduus as recorded in the Hosts section of its Discover Life species page ..