Bumble bee ID

Clypeus

broad plate at the front of head

cheek/malar space

Length is measured from the middle of the eye to the base of mandible

vertex

forehead (between ocelli and thorax)

coloration differs between species

Antennae

has flagellum segments named F1, F2, etc. starting after the connecting segment from the scape to flagellum

Thorax

Scutum = upper part of the top of the thorax

Scutellum = lower part of the top of the thorax

Pleura

side region of thorax (“armpit”)

Abdomen

Tergum/terga/“T” = Abdominal segments

T1 is short

Basal = near the base (closest to thorax, T1), apical = near the apex (closest to sting)

Legs

Fore leg, mid leg, and hind leg

Hind leg has corbiculum/pollen basket

Integument textures

Punctures/pits

Granular (rough, less shiny)

Tessellate (patterned, streaked)

Face - black

Cheek - long

Vertex - yellow

Thorax - circular black spot, lemony yellow

Pleura - yellow

Wings - clear with black veins

Abdomen - T1 lemony yellow, T2 usually has two yellow spots or a W shape

B. bimaculatus

Tips: longer hairs than lookalikes

Males have variable and sometimes non-symmetrical abdominal coloration patterns

Face - black, low ocelli

Cheek - short

Vertex - black

Thorax - short, dense hairs mostly yellow with small circular patch of black.

Pleura - yellow

Wings - black

Abdomen - T1 yellow, brown of T2 forms a crescent

B. griseocollis

Tips: Short hair.

Queens occasionally have same abdominal coloration as workers, but also often have an entirely yellow second abdominal segment. Males have similar coloration to workers

Face - black, long

Cheek - very long

Vertex - black

Thorax - color pattern can vary

Pleura - black

Wings - dark

Abdomen - color pattern can vary. always with yellow on at least T4 - and often T1-4; T5 black

B. fervidus

Face - black, very long

Cheek - very long

Vertex - black

Thorax - color pattern can vary

Pleura - mostly yellow, with black hairs on lower part and at base of legs

Wings - dark

Abdomen - color pattern can vary. always with yellow on at least T4 - and often T1-4; T5 black

B. fervidus

Face - black, long

Cheek - longer than wide

Vertex - black

Thorax - mostly yellow, black spot between wings

Pleura - black

Wings - dark

Abdomen - T2-T3 yellow, T4-T5 black

B. nevadensis

Tip: 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.

Face - black

Cheek - 

Vertex - yellow

Thorax - yellow (no conspicuous black spot)

Pleura -

Wings -

Abdomen -

B. morrisoni

Tip:

Face - yellow

Cheek - 

Vertex - yellow

Thorax -

Wings -

Abdomen -

B. huntii

Tip: