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Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee

Bombus bifarius

The Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee is a fuzzy, black bee with a special yellow stripe. They are important pollinators, helping flowers grow by moving pollen from one plant to another.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee is a medium-sized bee, primarily black with bright yellow bands on its thorax and abdomen. It often has a distinctive black band or 'notch' dividing the yellow on its second abdominal segment, making it visually unique.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyApidaeGenusBombus
Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee
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Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Bumble bees have tiny hairs on their eyes, possibly to help them detect pollen!

Some bumble bee queens can choose the sex of their offspring!

These bees are known for their 'buzz pollination' technique on certain flowers!

They often nest underground in abandoned rodent burrows for safety.

Special abilities

Ability

Buzz Power

Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee can shiver its flight muscles, creating heat to warm up and fly in cooler temperatures.

Ability

Deep Nectar Reach

Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee has a long tongue that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers.

Ability

Pollen Basket Collector

Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee has specialized 'pollen baskets' on its hind legs that help them carry large pollen loads.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-34 mm
Size
8-17 mm
Lifespan
14-365 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
200

Diet & Feeding

These fuzzy bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their growing young.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Asteraceae flowers
  • Fabaceae flowers
  • Lamiaceae flowers

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Purple Geranium

Geranium caespitosum

Transfers pollen while collecting nectar.

eaten by

Goldenrod Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

Ambush predator that preys on foraging bees.

eaten by

Least Flycatcher

Empidonax minimus

Insectivorous bird catching bees in flight.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be gentle and quiet around bees; they usually won't sting unless they feel scared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee's wingspan?

15-34 mm

How big is Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee?

8-17 mm

How long does Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee live?

14-365 days

How fast can Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee eat?

These fuzzy bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen to feed their growing young.

Where is Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee usually found?

Mountain regions

How does Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee have?

6

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