Bombus sonorus

Bumble Bees (related to this species) are used as pollinators of tomatoes in greenhouses that grow tomatoes all year.
Bombus sonorus
Common Name: Sonoran bumble bee
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Hymenoptera > Apidae
What does the species look like?

This species is banded black and yellow with no spots. The thorax has one band of yellow and then one band of black. The first band of black in the abdomen has a notch of yellow, then several bands of yellow segments and two final, black-banded segments.

Total adult length: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (18 - 26 mm).

Similar species: Many Bumble Bees look alike. Pay very close attention to the banding in the abdomen.
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AZ, BC, CA, MB, NM, ON, QC, TX, YT
Distribution

This species is distributed in the California central valley south to Baja California and east to western Texas.

 
General Phenology and Life History

Young queen lay eggs in spring that become sterile female workers. This brood of sterile female workers takes care of the foraging. The queen typically stays in and lays more eggs. At the end of the summer, the queen will lay male eggs in addition to a few female ones. These females mate with males and then hibernate over the winter, and emerge to start new colonies as young queens themselves the following spring. Sterile workers, males, and old queens all die at the end of summer.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
More...

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Male adults
One or more adult males are seen moving about or at rest. For Bombus sonorus, males have more slender hind legs than females and long, thin antennae.

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Flower visitation
One or more individuals are seen visiting flowers or flying from flower to flower. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

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Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

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Nest building
One or more adults are seen building a nest or hive. For Bombus sonorus, the queen bee builds a nest of wax cells that is constructed underground in a hole or abandoned burrow. This phenophase may not be readily visible in many cases.

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Nest provisioning
One or more adults are seen entering the nest with pollen. For Bombus sonorus, pollen is carried on the hind legs in bright yellow, orange, or white pollen baskets.

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Development Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Method Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.