# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bombus_bifarius.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bombus_bifarius.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Apidae - **Genus:** Bombus ## 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 - **Buzz Power:** Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee can shiver its flight muscles, creating heat to warm up and fly in cooler temperatures. - **Deep Nectar Reach:** Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee has a long tongue that helps them reach nectar deep inside tubular flowers. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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 - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be gentle and quiet around bees; they usually won't sting unless they feel scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Leadville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/leadville-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/colorado-black-notched-bumble-bee)