American bumble bees (Bombus pensylvanicus) have been a common bee throughout the entire U.S., but the population has drastically declined within the past several decades. Its home range has also declined from widespread throughout North America to mostly limited to the southern United States. The primary suspect of this decline is a disease from imported European bumblebees. These imported bees were used to pollinate tomato plants.
American bumble bees nest on the surface of the ground. The queens overwinter and collect food for their first brood. These become workers and support the queen the next season. After she produces new queens, she dies, and those queens will spread to establish their colonies.
You can help American bumble bees by planting native plants such as goldenrod, St. John’s wort, mistflower, and ironweed.
Photo Credit: Ileana Rodriguez
