Sonoran Bumble Bee
Bombus sonorus
This record describes Bombus sonorus (species). Recorded family: Apidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to the very closely related B. pensylvanicus , but in B. sonorus the dorsum of the thorax is yellow posteriorly and there is a distinct black interalar band, whereas in typical B. pensylvanicus , the dorsum of the thorax is largely or entirely black posteriorly. Unlike B. fervidus , T4 of females is black. Has declined severely in its northern California range and no longer detected at sites where it was abundant in the 1990s. Still regularly found in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts but number vary greatly between years depending, reflecting in part availability of its favorite host plants whose bloom depends on irregular rainfall. Texas considers this a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) ( 3 )
Wikipedia reference for Bombus sonorus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombus_sonorus.
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
Mostly low elevations including deserts and cultivated valleys.
Geographic Range
sw US (s. CA to c. TX, s. NV-sw. UT) / to s. Mex. , Widespread in southern California but more local in northern California where best known from the Central Valley and adjacent valleys in the foothill zone (see below for status). The common bumble bee of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.
Seasonal Activity
Feb-Oct (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Strongly associated with sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) but also visits many other plants, notably nightshades ( Solanum ) and globe mallows ( Sphaeralcea ). The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Bombus sonorus Say, 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Bombus sonorus. 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 Sonoran Bumble Bee (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonoran Bumble Bee
What is Sonoran Bumble Bee?
Sonoran Bumble Bee (Bombus sonorus) is a species in the family Apidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sonoran Bumble Bee?
Large, ~14-25mm
How do you identify Sonoran Bumble Bee?
Similar to the very closely related B. pensylvanicus , but in B. sonorus the dorsum of the thorax is yellow posteriorly and there is a distinct black interalar band, whereas in typical B. pensylvanicus , the dorsum of the thorax is largely or entirely black posteriorly. Unlike B. fervidus , T4 of females is black.
Where is Sonoran Bumble Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly low elevations including deserts and cultivated valleys. |
| Range | sw US (s. CA to c. TX, s. NV-sw. UT) / to s. Mex. , Widespread in southern California but more local in northern California where best known from the Central Valley and adjacent valleys in the foothill zone (see below for status). The common bumble bee of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. |
What does Sonoran Bumble Bee eat?
The diet of the Sonoran Bumble Bee includes Strongly associated with sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) but also visits many other plants, notably nightshades ( Solanum ) and globe mallows ( Sphaeralcea ). The Hosts section of its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Sonoran Bumble Bee active?
Sonoran Bumble Bee: seasonal activity - Feb-Oct (BG data).