Rusty patched bumble bee feeding on wild bergamot monarda fistulosa photo kim mitchell. Apr 20, 2018 rusty patched bumblebee in the front garden duration. The iucn red list outlines a dramatic story for the rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis. Bombus melanopygus bumble bee buzzpollinating rhododendren blossoms 2. Conservation of the rustypatched bumble bee and its habitat will benefit other species at risk in canada, including the gypsy cuckoo bumble bee bombus bohemicus, which has a close relationship with the rustypatched bumble bee parasitehost, as well as other insect pollinators e. Rusty patched bumble bee and monarch feeding on hyssop 30082648. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis photo courtesy of christy stewart the u. The rusty patched bumble bee is a species of bumble bee native to eastern north america. In the southern parts of its range it occurs primarily at high elevations. Bombus affinis bombus affinis the rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis.
Fish and wildlife service usfws published a rule to list the rusty patched bumble bee, bombus affinis, as endangered under the federal endangered species act. The rusty patched bumblebee bombus affinis, once a common sight, is now balancing precariously on the brink of extinction, according to the u. Rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis has been ranked state historical sh as the last known record for new york is from 1999 and the species has not persisted in neighboring states, suffering catostrophic decline throughout its range in recent years. The rusty patched bumble bee is extremely rare in wisconsin and is considered both state and globallyimperiled. Like most bumble bees, it is yellow and black, but males and workers have a distinctive rustycoloured patch on the second segment of the abdomen. Mar 22, 2017 the rusty patched bumblebee bombus affinis, once a common sight, is now balancing precariously on the brink of extinction, according to the u. Last month the rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis was added to the endangered species list by the u.
Rustypatched bumble bee bumble bees of wisconsin uw. The rustypatched bumble bee is a medium to large bee, ranging from about one to two centimetres long with queens being. Rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis species information the rustypatched bumble bee bourdon a tache rousse bombus affinis is one of five north american members of the subgenus bombus. Rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis inaturalist. Bombus affinis rusty patched bumble bee worker on wild bergamot monarda fistulosa jay watson the rusty patched bumble bee is extremely rare in wisconsin and is considered both state and globallyimperiled.
It is now listed as an endangered species in the us and canada, currently found in low numbers in a very small part of its former range. The rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis on joe pye weed. Apidae honey bees, bumble bees, and allies action plan. Rustypatched bumble bee bumble bees of wisconsin uwmadison. Bombus bombus affinis cresson, 1863 taxonomic status. The rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis is an eastern bee whose workers have a small rustcolored patch on the middle of their second abdominal segment. For copies of the recovery strategy, or for additional information on species at risk, including the committee on the status of endangered wildlife in canada cosewic. Bombus affinis the rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis. The rustypatched bumble bee is considered a habitat generalist, meaning that it can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis, listed as federally endangered and state special concern, is extremely rare in wisconsin and is considered both state and globallyimperiled. The purposes of this document are to help project proponents and landowners to.
Bombus affinis cresson, 1863 rustypatched bumble bee other english common names. The rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis, one of the nearly 50 species of bumble bee found in north america, had a historical range from eastern north dakota to maine and quebec, south to northern georgia. Bombus affinis cresson, 1863 tsn 714782 french common names. It forages from dozens of food plants, including milkweed, sunflowers, clovers and fruit blossoms. Saving the rustypatched bumble bee bug squad anr blogs. There are 18 bees there are 18 bees in the genus bombus in pa.
Report to the vermont endangered species committee research pdf available october 2015 with 896 reads how we measure reads. Rusty patched bumble bee officially listed as endangered. There are many potential reasons for the rusty patched bumble bee decline including habitat loss, intensive farming, disease, pesticide use and climate change. Recent research has shown a significant reduction in both the range and relative abundance of this species. Mar 05, 2019 bombus affinis or the rusty patch bumblebee is a large, short tongued, bumblebee that was, until relatively recently, abundant throughout its range in north america and canada. Although it was historically common from the upper midwest to the eastern seaboard, a.
For the past three years, ive seen them in my garden, and every year i watch to see if they return. Rusty patched bumble bee articles encyclopedia of life. Like many bumblebees these days, this one is struggling for survival. The rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis, is one of the 47 species of bumble bee found in north america. Rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis cresson, 1863 nynhp. Bombus affinis rustypatched bumble bee extension at the. It is now listed as an endangered species in the us and canada, currently found in. Cosewic assessment and status report on the rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis in canada. May 31, 2019 a rusty patched bumble bee on wild bergamot near burnsville.
The rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis faces an immediate risk of extinction. Il, in, ia, me, ma, mn, oh, va, wv, wi and ontario, canada. These busy bumble bees are known as generalist foragers, which means they gather nectar and pollen. The coloration of bombus affinis queens and males differ from the workers in. A rusty patched bumble bee on wild bergamot near burnsville. Its workers and males have a small rustcolored patch on the middle of their second abdominal segment.
Endangered species list, which would make it the first bee on the list. This bumble bee use to roam the vast grasslands of the midwest, sipping on endless nectar supplies of prairie wildflowers. Fish and wildlife service usfws published a rule to list the rusty patched bumble bee, bombus affinis, as endangered under the. Frequently asked question about the rusty patched bumble. Apr 03, 2018 one of the newest additions to the endangered species act is found right here in wisconsin. The xerces society and partners are hard at work on recovery and your observations are helping.
Rusty patched bumble bee the rusty patched bumble bee bom. This bee was once commonly distributed throughout the east and upper midwest of the united states, but has declined from an estimated 87% of its historic range in recent years. Frequently asked question about the rusty patched bumble bee. Rusty patched bumble bee feeding on wild bergamot monarda fistulosaphoto kim mitchell. The rusty patched bumble bee has declined by 87 percent in the last 20 years. Bombus affinis rusty patched bumble bee maine 2015 wildlife action plan revision report date. Males and workers have a second abdominal segment that is half reddishbrown and half yellow.
The beleaguered rustypatched bumble bee, bombus affinis, is now listed by the u. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis species at risk public. Bombus affinis is known by the common name rusty patched bumble bee, due to a characteristic brownish orange patch on the second abdominal segment of workers and males. Il, in, ia, me, ma, mn, oh, va, wv, wi and ontario. Bombus affinis rustypatched bumble bee michigan natural. This bee was once commonly distributed throughout the east and upper midwest of the united states, but has declined from an estimated 87% of its historic.
Rusty patched bumble bee the rusty patched bumble bee. Fish and wildlife service listed the rusty patched bumble bee as endangered. Meet the rusty patched bumblebee, minnesotas new bee. The life cycle of a rusty patched bumble bee colony starts in spring, when a queen emerges from her overwintering hole and starts to search for a suitable place to build a nest. The rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis was once commonly found across the northern part of eastern north america, extending south along the appalachian mountains. Rusty patched bumblebee officially listed as endangered. Worker on wild bergamot monarda fistulosa jay watson. Fws species profile about species listing status, federal register publications, recovery, critical habitat, conservation planning, petitions, and life history u. Rusty patched bumble bee queens begin to emerge from april onwards.
The rustypatched bumble bee bourdon a tache rousse bombus affinis is one of five north american members of the subgenus bombus. Petition to list the rusty patched bumble bee bombus. Rustypatched males and workers are mediumsized bumblebees, averaging. The rustypatched bumble bee is a medium to large bumble bee that has a rustycoloured patch bordered by yellow on the first half of its abdomen. The rustypatched bumble bee has been recorded from diverse habitats including. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis pdf version the u. Rustypatched bumble bee wildlife preservation canada. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis wisconsin dnr. Bombus affinis rusty patched bumble bee key characteristics rusty patched males and workers are mediumsized bumblebees, averaging. The rustypatched bumble bee is a medium to large bee, ranging from about one to two centimetres long with queens being at the higher end of this range. Please submit your observations with a photo to the wisconsin dnrs bumble bee brigade as soon as you can. Face black, with a few yellow hairs intermixed between and above the bases of the antennae.
Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis, listed as federally endangered and state special concern, is extremely rare in wisconsin and is. Range, status, and conservation of the rusty patched bumble bee the rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis occurs in the eastern and midwestern united states and southern canada. Bombus affinis, commonly known as the rusty patched bumble bee, is a species of bumblebee endemic to north america. This once common bumble bee is the first federally protected species of bumble bee, and first bee to be placed on the endangered species list. Bombus affinis rustypatched bumble bee key characteristics rustypatched males and workers are mediumsized bumblebees, averaging. The rusty patched bumble bee, or bombus affinis, is one of about 569 bees historically found in pa. Distinguishable from other bumble bees by the rusty coloured marking on its abdomen, b. The rustypatched bumble bee bombus affinis, one of the nearly 50 species of bumble bee found in north america, had a historical range from eastern north dakota to. January, 2016 priority 1 species of greatest conservation need sgcn class. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis extinction. The rusty patched bumble bee is a species of bumble bee native to eastern north. Workers, queens and males have a yellow collar, black band or circle followed by another yellow band on the thorax. The rusty patched bumble bee was once endemic to the east and upper midwest of the united states. Bumble bees can be distinguished from other bees by the thick hair covering their head, thorax, and abdomen and the structure on their hind legs called the pollen basket.
Rusty patched bumble bee conjour conservation report. This bee relies on diverse and abundant flowering plant species in proximity to suitable overwintering sites for hibernating queens, which include, but are not limited to noncompacted and. Fish and wildlife service listed the rusty patched bumble bee as endangered under the endangered species act. Rusty patched bumblebee in the front garden duration. Identifying, protecting and recovering endangered species is a. Any potential sightings of this species should be reported to the us fish and wildlife service usfws or the wisconsin dnr accompanied by a photo.
Like many other bumblebees, it nests in underground cavities but its queens emerge earlier than those of many other north american bumblebee species. It is a medium to largesized bumble bee with several distinguishing characters. Its historical range in north america has been throughout the east and upper midwest of the united states, north to ontario, canada, where it is considered a species at risk, east to quebec, south to georgia, and west to the dakotas. One of the newest additions to the endangered species act is found right here in wisconsin. The rustypatched bumblebee bombus affinis appears just like its name describesa bumblebee with a rustcolored patch on the second abdominal segment of the workers and drones. Fact sheet rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinispdf version.
This bee relies on diverse and abundant flowering plant species in proximity to suitable overwintering sites for hibernating queens, which include, but are not. Rusty patched bumble bee rusty patched bumble bee bombus. The rusty patched bumble bee is considered a habitat generalist, meaning that it can adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions. Workers and queens have two, mostly yellow bands at the top of the abdomen whereas males have a rusty patch on the top of their abdomen giving the species its name. As a california native, i hadnt come across this midwest species until i discovered they were on the road to extinction. This bee relies on diverse and abundant flowering plant species in proximity to suitable overwintering sites for hibernating queens, which include. Federal register endangered and threatened wildlife and.
But the land has changed, and with it a way of life for this little critter. Maybe youve heard of the more commonlyknown rusty patched bumble bee. The rusty patched bumblebee bombus affinis is now the first bumblebee species to receive protections under the u. Distinguishable from other bumble bees by the rustycoloured marking on its abdomen, b. Conservation of the rusty patched bumble bee and its habitat will benefit other species at risk in canada, including the gypsy cuckoo bumble bee bombus bohemicus, which has a close relationship with the rusty patched bumble bee parasitehost, as well as other insect pollinators e.
The species occurred broadly across the eastern united states, upper midwest, and southern quebec and ontario. Fish and wildlife service officially added the rusty patched bumble bee to the list of endangered species in 2017. This bee relies on diverse and abundant flowering plant species in proximity to suitable overwintering sites for hibernating queens, which include, but are not limited to noncompacted and often sandy soils or woodlands, but does not include wetlands. Its historical range in north america has been throughout the east and upper midwest of the united states, 4 north to ontario, canada, where it is considered a species at risk, 5 east to quebec, south to georgia, and. Its historical range in north america has been throughout the east and upper midwest of the united states, 4 north to ontario, canada, where it is considered a species at risk, 5 east to quebec, south to georgia, and west to the dakotas. Habitat improvement for the rusty patched bumble bee. Fish and wildlife service listed the rusty patched as endangered under the endangered species act. Fish and wildlife service as an endangered species, the first bee in the continental united states to be listed under the endangered species act. Life cycle rusty patched bumble bee workers are all female. The reader is directed to the rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis species status assessment ssa.
Endangered species are animals and plants that are in danger of becoming extinct. The rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis is endangered throughout its range, so its always an exciting find. Workers are 11 to 16 mm in length, 5 to 9 mm in breadth mitchell 1962. Rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis this bumble bee is in the process of being put on the u. Fish and wildlife service usfws finalized the ruling and gave the rusty patched bumble bee endangered status under the esa in january of 2017. The rustypatched bumble bee is a medium to large bumble bee that has a rusty coloured patch bordered by yellow on the first half of its abdomen. Fact sheet rusty patched bumble bee bombus affinis pdf version. The rusty patched bumblebee bombus affinis, once a common sight, is now balancing precariously on the brink of extinction, according to the. Fish and wildlife service its really hard to figure out what went wrong with a population, when the. Responding to a petition filed by the xerces society in 20 to list the rusty patched bumble bee as an endangered species under the us endangered species act esa, the u.