Nevada Bumble Bee
Bombus nevadensis
This record describes Bombus nevadensis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females resemble Bombus morrisoni but usually has fewer yellow hairs on the vertex, a conspicuous spot in the middle of the scutum (formed by a bare area and also black hairs), and a darker hue to the yellow coat.
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
Includes mountain meadows
Geographic Range
Western North America especially in mountains. Eastern records pertain to Bombus auricomus, surely including most if not all mapped from far east of the Rocky Mountains in the Williams et al. guide. Recorded from Western Canada (MB;SK;AB;BC;YT), from southern Alaska, and from The following US states: SD;NE;MT;WY;CO;NM;UT;AZ;ID;NV;WA;OR;CA). Putative subspecies miguelensis described from San Miguel Island off southern California is a disjunct and enigmatic occurrence. Distributional summary by John S. Ascher (Mar 2014).
Seasonal Activity
A late-emerging species.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts include many Fabaceae. The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
A later-emerging species
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1874. The name refers to the type locality.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus nevadensis. 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 Nevada Bumble Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada Bumble Bee
What is Nevada Bumble Bee?
Nevada Bumble Bee (Bombus nevadensis) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Nevada Bumble Bee?
Very large
How do you identify Nevada Bumble Bee?
Females resemble Bombus morrisoni but usually has fewer yellow hairs on the vertex, a conspicuous spot in the middle of the scutum (formed by a bare area and also black hairs), and a darker hue to the yellow coat.
Where is Nevada Bumble Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Includes mountain meadows |
| Range | Western North America especially in mountains. Eastern records pertain to Bombus auricomus, surely including most if not all mapped from far east of the Rocky Mountains in the Williams et al. guide. Recorded from Western Canada (MB;SK;AB;BC;YT), from southern Alaska, and from The following US states: SD;NE;MT;WY;CO;NM;UT;AZ;ID;NV;WA;OR;CA). Putative subspecies miguelensis described from San Miguel Island off southern California is a disjunct and enigmatic occurrence. Distributional summary by John S. Ascher (Mar 2014). |
What does Nevada Bumble Bee eat?
The diet of the Nevada Bumble Bee includes Hosts include many Fabaceae. The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Nevada Bumble Bee active?
Nevada Bumble Bee: seasonal activity - A late-emerging species..
What is the life cycle of a Nevada Bumble Bee?
A later-emerging species