Thanks!

Another immigrant. Would it (or its parents, etc.) have come up from California, where they are being brought in for greenhouse use? Is that possible? Or would it be an escapee from some local greenhouse?

Bombus impatiens is found in British Columbia due to the irresponsible greenhouse pollination industry, which continues to degrade biodiversity by importing non-native bees and inevitably their parasites.

I'm not sure where the impatiens colonies were originally produced nor do I know the extent that this species is currently used for pollination outside its native range in western North America.

I had forgotten about the parasites! So one invading species really could turn out to be two or three or more. Not good.

I have written a blog post about this bee (and a few others). I have quoted you there, with links to here, of course.

The post is here.

Thanks for your help!

I thought it was the same bee. I was following it from flower to flower on a small clump. But you're right; it does look like one is going bald. I may have lost track momentarily and they switched places.