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Photo#54927

"Bombus" - Bombus griseocollis - Male
Salt Lake City, N40°46.727'W111°52.629'ele4609', Salt Lake County, Utah, USA
August 1, 2005
Size: >22mm
The main backyard bee for 2005, the pale head/face is unfamiliar. Suggestions?

Images of this individual: tag all

Moved

my current understanding is that griseocollis from SLC
can have unusually extensive pale hairs covering T2.

Second opinions welcome as always!

Moved

not rufocinctus
Does not match any of the rufocinctus patterns

Check this out:
http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/ants/TESCBiota/kingdom/animalia/phylum/arthropoda/class/insecta/order/hymenoptera/family/apidae/bombus/probably.htm

I would love to know what it is, because it occurs here!

 
Yes, it may be griseocollis
Some in Utah seem to have no black on T2 even on the corners

 
"Does not match any of the rufocinctus patterns"
Those patterns are for females only. This is a male (note the enlarged eyes).

This species is very variable in color.

It is true that lack of an interalar black band is atypical for rufocinctus but is consistent with B. griseocollis. However the hair pattern of T2 does not appear correct for griseocollis as far as I can tell.

"I would love to know what it is, because it occurs here!"

Your supposed conspecific bee is an Anthophorini (different tribe!)

 
"Does not match any of the rufocinctus patterns"
This specimen is very similar to males of what I believe are Bombus nevadensis that I collected here (Edmonton, Alberta) this summer.

 
John, appreciate
your attention to detail. Have not seen a single "Bombus" this year. Not even the big founder females that would sometimes show up in the basement, hint- don't bump them when only wearing socks, big time hopping on one foot concentrated pain. Might have a neighbor in the pesticide happy mode.

 
Not sure...
why it was placed in rufocinctus, could be the male version, there is an orange abdom segment (although faded) in the right place for female workers. Also, females were present, other usual species were very rare that year (at the location). Thanks for reference site. You may like to try:
www.loganbeelab.usu.edu/How%20To/Identification/NorthernUTBumbleBee.htm

At least that's the site from 2005, only has diagrams of workers and is only for N Utah.

Moved
Moved from Bumble Bees.

Male.
This specimen is a male (enormous eyes, no "pollen baskets"), which might make ID slightly more difficult. Some bumble bees differ in color and pattern between the genders, and most references focus on the female workers.