Yellow-banded Bumble Bee
Yellow-banded bumble bee, Thomas Wood, CC-NC 2.0, https://www.fws.gov/media/yellow-banded-bumble-bee
These bumble bees often have very round bodies with short, broad abdomens. All adults have black yeads and yellow on the front part of the thorax. Males often have a yellow “mustache”. T1 is black, T2 and T3 are yellow, and the rest are black, with T5 frequently having a light fringe of yellow as well.
Status in North Dakota
Resident.
Range Map
Yellow-banded Bumble Bee primary range (dark gray).
Reason for SWAP Designation
SGCN (c). At-risk, expert review or recent assessment.
Threats
Bumble Bees face a number of threats, likely all of which have played a role in population declines.
The introduction of pathogens from introduced commercial bumble bees, the loss of foraging and nesting habitat, and the widespread use of pesticides continue to negatively impact current populations.
Other threats include habitat degradation and fragmentation, naturals pests and diseases, and climate change.
Research and Monitoring
Statewide pollinator surveys have been completed by the USFWS HAPET team and NDSU.
Pollinator surveys should continue throughout the state to determine species range and population trends in ND.
Management Recommendations
- Develop pollinator habitat.
- Protect and manage high quality native prairie.
- Develop connectivity between quality habitats.
- Plant native nectar plants to improve habitat.
- Avoid broadcast spraying of pesticides and herbicides at known sites to minimize loss of adults and nectar sources.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
This species prefers undisturbed grasslands, meadows, and woodland edges. They are often associated with landscapes that include an abundance of floral resources.
Nest sites are located underground.