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Photo#864509
Unknown insect - Bombus nevadensis

Unknown insect - Bombus nevadensis
White Mountains, Inyo National Forest, Sage Hen Flat, near UC Crooked Creek Research Station, Mono County, California, USA
July 18, 2013
Size: ~3/4 in.
Photographed at ~10,000 ft. It was patrolling around then returning over and over again to one particular individual sagebrush plant.

Dylan -
As far as you can recall, what time of day did you observe this bee? Sagebrush can vary considerably in height, how high off the ground would you say was this male's perch?

 
The perch was about 1.5 ft. o
The perch was about 1.5 ft. off the ground, and I saw it around midday.

 
Thanks, Dylan -
Any Astragalus in flower nearby, or whatever else may have been in flower?

 
Not that I recall, but it was
Not that I recall, but it was a very dry year!

 
Thanks -
I was there about a month earlier and it already looked dry compared to some other years.

Male alright,
but I was off with my guesses as to species. Robbin Thorp comments this is a male [i]Bombus (Bombias) nevadensis. The bulging eyes are the main clue, though an additional profile view would have been helpful. Mating in this species is principally based on visual cues. Males perch, waiting for a queen to pass by and then pounce on her from their perch. Location, according to Robbin Thorp, is at this species' southern and upper limits of its range in California, thus a good record.
Moved from Bumble Bees.

 
Interesting
What made you change your mind, Hartmut?

 
Hi James,
your question came so fast I didn't have time to correct a typo.
What made me change my mind? Robbin's comments, coming from a bumble bee expert!
Also reminded me of the large-eye-clue for nevadensis, and Robbin included Crooked Creek as one of the CA records for this species ((1)).

 
ah, thanks :)
Reliable as always, Hartmut :) appreciate it!

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Bombus bifarius, male -
Or possibly B. appositus - just guesses, haven't checked carefully.
Welcome to Bugguide! - Great place up there in the White Mountains!

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