Knowledgebase

Bee identification #752165

Asked May 25, 2021, 10:06 PM EDT

Can you help us identify this bee? It is very large and has been bumbling around our garden for a few days. Tonight my children thought it may have become trapped in an old bird nest in a fake wreath on our porch, as it was buzzing, almost hissing. We took the wreath down to allow an escape and there is a hole in the back of the nest. And the bee came out flew around and returned to the hole. We put the wreath back up and have decided to leave well enough alone, but we are very curious! I would appreciate any insights you could give to my budding entomologists.

Jefferson County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi Darci,

What a fun project! I am not able to identify the bee from your pictures, but I do have an excellent resource that I can share with you.
See page 17 of this following document for a fun key which can be used to identify your bee: https://nativebeewatch.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/fieldguide_12march2018_lowrez.pdf

The document provides little briefs and facts about various types of native bees as well as a bunch of great photos.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 02, 2021, 5:03 PM EDT
Thank you for the information. We think it is a type of bumblebee. But we are surprised to see it nesting in a bird nest, as we read that they usually live in the ground.  Do you think this may be a bombus impatiens?  
The update is there are worker bees now, so we can see that the original bee is the queen. She is 2-3 times larger. They have been trying to stay cool these last few days hanging out on the edge of the wreath, outside the nest. We have a shallow bowl of water nearby but they do not seem interested.  Lots and lots of flowers nearby. But we are very perplexed by their choice of nest.
Darci



On Jun 2, 2021, at 3:03 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 17, 2021, 4:34 PM EDT

Hi Darci - 

John's out on a well-deserved vacation and I'm helping him out. There are so, so many types of bees and bumblebees - unless you can get a really closeup shot of one in the exact correct position they can be hard to ID from a photo.  

I love that your and your children and observing this little bee home. Attached is another document about the bumble bees of Colorado that might help you.  And - we don't normally recommend websites that are not .edu or .org but I had googled your question and this popped up: https://www.honeybeesuite.com/save-that-bird-nest/  Keep in mind that this site may not have information that is strictly scientific or researched based - but it looked fun for kids.

Thanks again - enjoy your journey.

Colorado Master Gardener Clinician Annette

Jefferson County Extension of Colorado State University Replied June 20, 2021, 8:39 PM EDT
Thank you so much, Annette!
We enjoyed watching the house finches nest and raise a clutch this spring and now we are enjoying the bumble bees! We have kept honey bees in the past but do not currently have any, so this is filling a much needed place in our hearts!  Bees are fascinating! We have only ever witnessed a bumblebee as it passes through our yard so this is a new experience for us!  Many friends have bee houses that have yet to house any bees, so they are a bit envious that we are getting this opportunity. I will tell them about the idea of saving birds’ nests!  I am excited to look into the nest this fall after the bees have left. It will be interesting to see what they have done on the inside!  
Gratefully,
Darci

On Jun 20, 2021, at 6:39 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2021, 11:56 PM EDT

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