It looks like yellow banded queens and workers are the same, but the queen is bigger (length to 0 8 inches versus 0. 6). The front of the thorax and the second and third abdominal segments are yellow. The fifth segment also has some hairs that are yellowish brown. The head, legs, and most of the thorax and abdomen are black, though some people have small differences in the color of their thorax and abdomen. Males average 0. 6 inches in length. Some hairs are black and some are yellow, and they cover most of the head. The front of the face is a solid pale yellow color. The front of the thorax is pale yellow, while the rear two-thirds are black. Bright yellow hairs are found on the second and third abdominal segments, giving a double-banded appearance. The legs and remaining abdominal segments are black (Evans et al. 2008).
Status: SC (Special Concern) in the US means it is not listed or protected by law. Status: G3G4 (uncertain rank between vulnerable and apparently secure) in the US and S2S3 (uncertain rank between imperiled and vulnerable) in the UK.
Information is summarized from MNFIs database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
This species has been found most often in or around wooded areas (Colla and Dumesh 2010).
A look at the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database and label data from some taxa’s herbarium helped make lists of natural communities for each species. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For some taxa, mostly species that are hard to find or have disappeared from prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were made by drawing conclusions from where the taxa was collected and where it liked to live in states that were right next to each other, mostly Indiana and Illinois. For species that have only been found in changed or rough habitats in Michigan, natural communities are not listed. This is especially true for taxa that live in a variety of habitats outside of Michigan.
The list of natural communities is not based on how often they happen; instead, it is based on the full set of natural communities, which are arranged by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. When the Rare Species Explorer is updated in the future, we hope to add natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
The yellow banded bumblebee used to live in large numbers across much of the eastern United States and seven Canadian provinces. Now, it and a few other North American bumblebees from the same subgenus have disappeared from all but a few small areas of their former range (Evans et al. 2008). Much of this sharp population drop is due to loss of nesting and foraging habitats caused by more people living in cities and farms, the spread of pathogens from bumblebees used as commercial pollinators, and the recent widespread use of neonicotinoids, a group of pesticides that are very harmful to bees (Colla and Packer 2008, COSEWIC 2010, Evans et al. 2008, Grixti et al. 2009). Lessening the use of herbicides and pesticides, protecting healthy habitat areas, and encouraging the growth of native wildflowers in agricultural and urbanized areas are all ways to manage bumblebees. Planting hedgerows and restoring native grasses along the edges of fields, in urban parks, and in people’s yards also provides a home for small mammals. The holes that the mammals leave behind will then become places for bumblebees to nest and hibernate (Goulson 2010).
Foraging bumblebees are usually caught with an aerial net during surveys, and each species is then identified (Colla and Packer 2008; Grixti et al. 2009).
The yellow banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) is a species of bumble bee native to North America that has experienced significant population declines in recent decades. As an important pollinator, the loss of the yellow banded bumble bee could have detrimental effects on ecosystems, agriculture, and our food supply. This article will examine the causes of the yellow banded bumble bee’s decline, the consequences we may face if populations continue to drop, and the steps we can take to help protect this vital species.
Identifying the Yellow Banded Bumble Bee
The yellow banded bumble bee is a medium-sized bee characterized by – you guessed it – bright yellow bands on the abdomen and thorax. They have a black head and antennae, and a primarily black abdomen with a yellow band near the top. Their furry bodies make them appear larger and fuzzier than other bees. Yellow banded bumble bees create small nests close to or on the ground, often in abandoned rodent burrows or clumps of grass. Nests contain just a few dozen workers that forage for nectar and pollen. New queens are produced each year to create the next generation’s nest.
Causes of Declining Populations
Unfortunately, yellow banded bumble bee populations have declined by a staggering 96% in recent decades. The reasons behind this extreme drop are complex, but some primary causes include:
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Habitat loss and degradation – Development, urbanization, industrial farming practices, and climate change have reduced the amount of flowering plants and undisturbed grasslands these bees need for food and nesting.
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Pesticides – Insecticides and fungicides commonly used in agriculture can be toxic to bees and accumulate in the environment Neonicotinoids are especially harmful to bumble bee colonies
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Diseases and parasites – Diseases from managed honey bees have spilled over into wild bumble bees. Parasitic nematodes and flies have also increasingly infected bumble bees. Climate change exacerbates these issues.
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Competition from non-native bees – Some commercially-reared bumble bee species used for greenhouse pollination have escaped and now compete with native bees for limited resources.
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Climate change – Rising temperatures increased weather variability and expanded ranges of pathogens and competitors related to climate change disrupt native bumble bee populations.
The Importance of Bumble Bees as Pollinators
Bumble bees are some of the most effective pollinators of both agricultural crops and native wildflowers. Their fuzzy bodies pick up and transfer more pollen grains and they will fly in cooler and wetter conditions than other bees. Yellow banded bumble bees specifically have been found to be important pollinators of tomatoes, peppers, cranberries, blueberries, and legumes. Population declines could significantly impact the pollination, yield, and quality of these important food crops.
Beyond agriculture, bumble bees pollinate thousands of different wild plants. This pollination enables fertile seed production that sustains diverse ecosystems. Decreased bumble bee populations can therefore have ripple effects across entire habitats. There is also concern that the loss of one bumble bee species, like the yellow banded bumble bee, weakens overall pollinator networks. Declines in pollinator diversity make ecosystems more vulnerable to future disturbances.
Initiatives to Protect the Yellow Banded Bumble Bee
More research is still needed to fully understand reasons behind the substantial drop in yellow banded bumble bee numbers and possible solutions. But there are some actions individuals and policy makers can take now:
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Plant native flowering plants – Provide more nourishment options by cultivating native plant species in gardens and public greenspaces, especially those with overlapping bloom periods that offer food from early spring to late fall.
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Reduce pesticide usage – Use natural and bee-safe practices for pest control at home and advocate for large-scale reductions in hazardous pesticides. Support organic farming methods.
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Preserve meadow habitats – Protect existing meadows and grasslands from development and disturbance. These areas provide ideal nesting grounds.
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Citizen science monitoring – Track yellow banded bumble bee populations through submitted sightings and dedicated monitoring programs. This data helps scientists understand trends.
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Policy changes – Support new regulations that designate the yellow banded bumble bee as endangered, ban neonicotinoids, and fund conservation efforts.
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Bee-friendly gardens – Plant a diverse garden using native plants to support all pollinators. Provide undisturbed areas for nesting along with water sources.
There is Still Hope for the Yellow Banded Bumble Bee
While the steep decline in yellow banded bumble bee numbers is worrisome, there are signs this species can still recover if given proper protection. Dedicated monitoring programs show this bee still inhabits areas across its native range, though populations are diminished. Targeted conservation strategies also show promise in creating more suitable habitat and reducing pesticide threats. With effective management practices in agricultural areas and increased public awareness, yellow banded bumble bee populations can hopefully be restored to healthy levels. But action must be taken quickly before this essential pollinator disappears completely.
MSU Extension Search MNFI website
It looks like yellow banded queens and workers are the same, but the queen is bigger (length to 0 8 inches versus 0. 6). The front of the thorax and the second and third abdominal segments are yellow. The fifth segment also has some hairs that are yellowish brown. The head, legs, and most of the thorax and abdomen are black, though some people have small differences in the color of their thorax and abdomen. Males average 0. 6 inches in length. Some hairs are black and some are yellow, and they cover most of the head. The front of the face is a solid pale yellow color. The front of the thorax is pale yellow, while the rear two-thirds are black. Bright yellow hairs are found on the second and third abdominal segments, giving a double-banded appearance. The legs and remaining abdominal segments are black (Evans et al. 2008).
Status: SC (Special Concern) in the US means it is not listed or protected by law. Status: G3G4 (uncertain rank between vulnerable and apparently secure) in the US and S2S3 (uncertain rank between imperiled and vulnerable) in the UK.
| County | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Alcona | 4 | 2022 |
| Alger | 17 | 2022 |
| Alpena | 1 | 1966 |
| Antrim | 3 | 2017 |
| Arenac | 1 | 2017 |
| Baraga | 15 | 2023 |
| Barry | 1 | 1965 |
| Bay | 1 | 1940 |
| Charlevoix | 5 | 1935 |
| Cheboygan | 9 | 2022 |
| Chippewa | 9 | 2020 |
| Clare | 1 | 1976 |
| Crawford | 7 | 2024 |
| Delta | 14 | 2021 |
| Dickinson | 7 | 2022 |
| Eaton | 1 | 1976 |
| Emmet | 11 | 2022 |
| Genesee | 1 | 1954 |
| Gladwin | 1 | 1926 |
| Gogebic | 16 | 2023 |
| Grand Traverse | 1 | 1926 |
| Gratiot | 1 | 1972 |
| Houghton | 12 | 2023 |
| Huron | 1 | 1927 |
| Ingham | 3 | 1965 |
| Ionia | 1 | 1971 |
| Iosco | 3 | 2017 |
| Iron | 9 | 2023 |
| Isabella | 1 | 1937 |
| Jackson | 1 | 1924 |
| Kalamazoo | 1 | 1965 |
| Kalkaska | 6 | 2022 |
| Keweenaw | 13 | 2023 |
| Lake | 2 | 2019 |
| Leelanau | 4 | 2016 |
| Lenawee | 1 | 1978 |
| Livingston | 1 | 1979 |
| Luce | 2 | 1968 |
| Mackinac | 24 | 2022 |
| Macomb | 1 | 1929 |
| Manistee | 1 | 1964 |
| Marquette | 18 | 2022 |
| Mason | 2 | 1990 |
| Mecosta | 1 | 1965 |
| Menominee | 3 | 2021 |
| Midland | 3 | 2017 |
| Missaukee | 3 | 1970 |
| Montcalm | 3 | 2022 |
| Montmorency | 2 | 1968 |
| Muskegon | 2 | 2022 |
| Newaygo | 4 | 2022 |
| Oakland | 2 | 1965 |
| Oceana | 2 | 2016 |
| Ogemaw | 3 | 1965 |
| Ontonagon | 12 | 2023 |
| Oscoda | 4 | 2022 |
| Otsego | 3 | 1969 |
| Presque Isle | 1 | 1968 |
| Roscommon | 2 | 1956 |
| Schoolcraft | 12 | 2020 |
| St. Clair | 1 | 1990 |
| St. Joseph | 1 | 1941 |
| Tuscola | 1 | 1973 |
| Van Buren | 1 | 1971 |
| Wayne | 1 | 1974 |
| Wexford | 3 | 2021 |
Information is summarized from MNFIs database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
This species has been found most often in or around wooded areas (Colla and Dumesh 2010).
A look at the nearly 6,500 element occurrences in the MNFI database and label data from some taxa’s herbarium helped make lists of natural communities for each species. In most cases, at least one specimen record exists for each listed natural community. For some taxa, mostly species that are hard to find or have disappeared from prairie and savanna habitats, natural community lists were made by drawing conclusions from where the taxa was collected and where it liked to live in states that were right next to each other, mostly Indiana and Illinois. For species that have only been found in changed or rough habitats in Michigan, natural communities are not listed. This is especially true for taxa that live in a variety of habitats outside of Michigan.
The list of natural communities is not based on how often they happen; instead, it is based on the full set of natural communities, which are arranged by Ecological Group. In many cases, the general habitat descriptions should provide greater clarity and direction to the surveyor. When the Rare Species Explorer is updated in the future, we hope to add natural community fidelity ranks for each taxon.
The yellow banded bumblebee used to live in large numbers across much of the eastern United States and seven Canadian provinces. Now, it and a few other North American bumblebees from the same subgenus have disappeared from all but a few small areas of their former range (Evans et al. 2008). Much of this sharp population drop is due to loss of nesting and foraging habitats caused by more people living in cities and farms, the spread of pathogens from bumblebees used as commercial pollinators, and the recent widespread use of neonicotinoids, a group of pesticides that are very harmful to bees (Colla and Packer 2008, COSEWIC 2010, Evans et al. 2008, Grixti et al. 2009). Lessening the use of herbicides and pesticides, protecting healthy habitat areas, and encouraging the growth of native wildflowers in agricultural and urbanized areas are all ways to manage bumblebees. Planting hedgerows and restoring native grasses along the edges of fields, in urban parks, and in people’s yards also provides a home for small mammals. The holes that the mammals leave behind will then become places for bumblebees to nest and hibernate (Goulson 2010).
Active from third week of April to second week of October
Foraging bumblebees are usually caught with an aerial net during surveys, and each species is then identified (Colla and Packer 2008; Grixti et al. 2009).
Yellow-banded bumble bee worker emerging
FAQ
Where do yellow banded bumble bees live?
Do yellow-faced bumble bees sting?
Are yellow faced bumble bees endangered?
Are orange belted bumblebees rare?
What does a yellow banded bumble bee look like?
Yellow banded bumble bees are middling size compared to other bumble bee species and rounded in appearance from fluffy hairs. Queens are the largest bees in the colony, followed by males and then workers. Like all bumble bees, individuals have two pairs of wings, with bodies that are divided into head, thorax and abdomen.
What is a yellow-banded bumblebee?
Bombus terricola, the yellow-banded bumblebee, is a species of bee in the genus Bombus. It is native to southern Canada and the east and midwest of the United States. It possesses complex behavioral traits, such as the ability to adapt to a queenless nest, choose which flower to visit, and regulate its temperature to fly during cold weather.
Are yellow banded bumble bees eusocial?
Yellow banded bumble bees are eusocial insects, meaning that they have a highly advanced level of social organization. They live in colonies which include a founding queen, sterile female worker bees, fertile future queens and fertile male bees. All individuals are offspring of the founding queen.
Are yellow-banded bumblebees endangered?
Like several other North American species in its subgenus Bombus, the yellow-banded bumblebee has suffered sharp declines in numbers since the mid-1990s.The Xerces Society for Insect Conservation has placed Bombus terricola on their “Red List” of endangered bees.
What if I find a yellow-banded Bumble Bee on my land?
Private land owners have a very important role to play in species recovery; if you find the Yellow-banded Bumble Bee on your land, you may be eligible for stewardship programs that support the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats.
Do bumble bees have yellow hair?
American bumble bees have yellow hairs at the rear edge of the first abdominal segment and lack brown hairs on the far edge of abdominal segment five. Males have yellow hair on the rear of the thorax, while these hairs are black on Yellowbanded bumble bees (Evans et al. 2009).