Sitka Bumble Bee
Bombus sitkensis
This record describes Bombus sitkensis (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Very similar to the sympatric dimidiatus form of B. flavifrons but with a darker scutellum and a conspicuous buff tip to the abdominal apex. More common in the northern part of its range, such as Washington State, than in the southern portion such as the San Francisco Bay Area.
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
Best known from the humid coasts of northern California and the Pacific Northwest but also extends inland in humid areas. Not expected at drier sites.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Nylander, 1848
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus sitkensis. 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 Sitka Bumble Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher
Frequently Asked Questions About Sitka Bumble Bee
What is Sitka Bumble Bee?
Sitka Bumble Bee (Bombus sitkensis) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Sitka Bumble Bee?
Very similar to the sympatric dimidiatus form of B. flavifrons but with a darker scutellum and a conspicuous buff tip to the abdominal apex.
Where is Sitka Bumble Bee found?
Habitat: Best known from the humid coasts of northern California and the Pacific Northwest but also extends inland in humid areas. Not expected at drier sites.
What does Sitka Bumble Bee eat?
The diet of the Sitka Bumble Bee includes The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known associations based on specimen records and images..