Bumble Bee - Bombus griseocollis

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps » Apoidea (clade Anthophila) - Bees » Cuckoo, Carpenter, Digger, Bumble, and Honey Bees (Apidae) » Honey, Bumble, Longhorn, Orchid, and Digger Bees (Apinae) » Bumble Bees (Bombini) » Bumble Bees (Bombus) » Subgenus Cullumanobombus (Bombus Subgenus Cullumanobombus) » Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis)

Photo#310468

Copyright © 2009 Bruce Marlin

Bumble Bee - Bombus griseocollis -

Blackwell Forest Preserve, DuPage County, Illinois, USA
July 26, 2009
Size: 20mm

There were perhaps a dozen of these large, aggressive bees congregating on a hilltop. They were all perching and then harassing each other and many passing insects - but I don't think they were attacking them, they were looking for females (I assume these are males). Every now and then, they formed a "cloud", flying in circles, 'round and round - quite a sight to see, and scary if you're afraid of such things.

They were very fast and agile fliers, with a loud buzz. I now know what insects the big Laphria robber flies are mimicking - it's these guys. Thanks in advance for any help.

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Contributed by Bruce Marlin on 26 July, 2009 - 5:05pm
Last updated 10 July, 2012 - 12:01pm

Moved

Moved from Subgenus Cullumanobombus.

… Bruce Marlin, 10 July, 2012 - 12:01pm

Moved

Moved from Brownbelted Bumble Bee. I assume Dr. Ascher only gave an ID to subgenus because there are other species this could be.

… Charley Eiseman, 22 October, 2009 - 10:08am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Bruce Marlin, 26 July, 2009 - 5:30pm

Bombus (Cullumanobombus)

male

… John S. Ascher, 26 July, 2009 - 5:08pm

Wow

That was fast. Thanks! I have never seen so many male bees in one place before.

… Bruce Marlin, 26 July, 2009 - 5:14pm

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