Explanation of Names
Refers to its northern distribution.
Size
Large. Queen: 18-22mm., worker, 13mm, male 14-17mm.
Identification
Superficially similar to B. fervidus but with conspicuous yellow hairs on the face and more extensive black on the lower thorax posteriorly. Hue of coat typically a darker amber color rather than the bright yellow of most fervidus.
Very similar to its close relative B. appositus of western North America, but in that species hairs of the anterior of the scutum are noticeably paler than those of the posterior of the scutum whereas in borealis the hairs of the anterior of the scutum are concolorous. Usually those species can be separated based on distribution.
Range
Southern Canada east of the Rocky Mountains and the adjacent northeastern and-north-central the United States.
Season
Late-emerging. May to September.
Food
Likes clover (
Trifolium). The Hosts section of its
Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Remarks
Scarce and local at the southern margins of its range in New York and New England. Much more common in Canada including Newfoundland.
