Bombus melanopygus (black-tailed bumble bee) is native to western North America. This species lives in the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains and from Alaska to Baja California. It is common in most of its range. B. melanopygus is one of the earliest bumble bee species in the season to begin nesting and producing males. Like all bumble bees. B. melanopygus is an important pollinator and lives in a number of habitat types, including agricultural and urban areas.
Although B. Melanopygus is pretty common in California and isn’t thought to be in danger, but its range seems to be changing in the state. North American bumble bee species are generally threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.
As a new bee enthusiast, one of the most exciting parts of the hobby is being able to identify the different types of bees that visit your garden. While honeybees and bumblebees tend to get most of the attention, there are actually over 20,000 species of bees worldwide. One distinctive group of bees that beginners should learn to recognize are those with predominantly black tails. Let’s explore some of the most common black-tailed bee species and how to tell them apart.
Why Do Some Bees Have Black Tails?
The black coloration on a bee’s tail (technically called the metasoma) as well as other parts of its body are a form of protective coloration. The contrasting bands of light and dark colors serve as a warning to potential predators that the bee may sting if disturbed. This aposematic coloration is advertising the bee’s ability to defend itself.
While many bees use black and yellow patterns, bees with solid black tails often have other areas of yellow, white or orange on their bodies. This draws attention to the black tail as a warning marker. The tail is a vulnerable area, so having it conspicuously colored enhances the deterrent effect.
Carpenter Bees
One of the most frequently encountered bees with black tails are carpenter bees. There are two main types found in North America:
Large Carpenter Bees
These robust, shiny bees are around an inch long and entirely black except for some yellow or white hair on the thorax. They are able to be active early in spring. The males are very territorial, hovering in front of nests and investigating any other insect that approaches closely.
Small Carpenter Bees
Ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, these more slender bees can be black but also often have some metallic blue or green hues on the head and thorax. Compared to large carpenter bees, the metasoma is proportionally longer. Small carpenter bees chew into pithy plant stems to build nests.
Mining Bees
Within the family Andrenidae, there are around 3000 species of mining bee worldwide. They nest underground, excavating tunnels in the soil. Several common species have prominent black tails:
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The tufted mining bee has a fox-red colored thorax and head but an all-black metasoma. They particularly like flowers of the pea family.
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Lasioglossum bees are smaller, growing to around 1/4 inch. Rather than having bands, the entire metasoma is black while the head and thorax range from grayish-white to yellow.
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The digger or polyester bee has pale yellow hairs on the thorax and head but the metasoma is entirely slick and black. They earned their “polyester” nickname from their shiny, hairless abdomens.
Leafcutter Bees
Within the family Megachilidae, mason bees and leafcutter bees can also display black tails.
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Resin bees collect sticky plant sap rather than leaves to build their nests. They are around half an inch long with black heads, thoraxes and metasomas but white hairs on the face.
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The giant resin bee is larger at about 3/4 inch long. They are overall black with some grayish-white hairs on the thorax and yellow markings on the face
Cellophane Bees
Part of the family Colletidae, cellophane bees can be identified by their dark metasomas and translucent wings. There are around 500 species worldwide.
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The yellow-faced cellophane bee has a black head, legs and metasoma but yellow markings on its face. The wings have dark edges with light transparent centers.
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Dufourea cellophane bees are tiny, around 1/8 inch long, but have very broad wings. The head and thorax are black but the face is covered in bright yellow hairs.
How to Attract Bees with Black Tails to Your Garden
Here are some tips for making your garden or backyard more attractive to bees with black tails:
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Plant native wildflowers like asters, sunflowers and milkweed which provide nectar and pollen.
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Include herbs like oregano and thyme.
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Allow areas with exposed soil that ground-nesting mining bees can burrow into.
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Put out “bee hotels” – tubes or holes in wood that cavity-nesting bees like leafcutters will occupy.
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Avoid using pesticides which can poison bees and other pollinators.
With a range of flowering plants and suitable nesting areas, you’ll soon be observing fascinating bees with black tails busy at work pollinating. Watching “your” bees thriving thanks to the habitat you provided is one of the great rewards of becoming a beekeeper!
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FAQ
What kind of bee has a black tail?
Do black-tailed bumble bees sting?
Are black carpenter bees harmful?
Do carpenter bees sting or bumble bees?
What is a black tail Bumblebee?
Bombus melanopygus, the black-tailed bumble bee, black tail bumble bee or orange-rumped bumblebee, is a species of bumblebee native to western North America. This bee is widely distributed across western North America, from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains, and from Alaska to Baja California.
Where do black-tailed bumble bees live?
The black-tailed bumble bee ( Bombus melanopygus) is a species found on the west coast of North America. It can be found from southern British Columbia down into northern California. This bumble bee often nests above ground and can often be seen in birdhouses, mail boxes, and other cozy structures.
How do you know if a bumblebee has a black tail?
At the end of their abdominal region, you may notice a few black hairs. There are three main tail colors seen in bumblebees: white, red, and uniform. White-tailed bees have tails ranging from off-white to yellow in color. Uniform-tailed bees have tails the same color as the rest of their abdomens (sort of ginger).
What does a bumblebee tail look like?
The wing membranes are dark-colored, with a V shape at the top of the tail where the coloring changes. At the end of their abdominal region, you may notice a few black hairs. There are three main tail colors seen in bumblebees: white, red, and uniform. White-tailed bees have tails ranging from off-white to yellow in color.
Are black-tailed bumblebees red?
There are two forms of the black-tailed bumblebee: (The second and third abdominal segments are red in northern populations and black in southern; individuals with black segments were previously known as Bombus edwardsii, a separate species.
What does a black bee look like?
These bees are black with white hairs covering the thorax and the bottom of the abdomen. Many species have large heads with massive jaws that aid in cutting off leaves. They are very fast flyers and carry pollen on their abdomens.