Is this a variable cuckoo bumblebee - Ask Extension
I took some photos of a bumblebee that I’ve never seen in my garden. The length was around one and a half inches
Knowledgebase
Is this a variable cuckoo bumblebee #847018
Asked August 23, 2023, 5:47 PM EDT
I took some photos of a bumblebee that I’ve never seen in my garden. The length was around one and a half inches
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi,Identification of insects is difficult from photos because many of the identifying features simply are not visible. Then too, photographing bees is difficult in and of itself because they don't pose and the background sometimes interferes.
I can't positively identify the "bee" but here's some information which will help you. This time of year the bumblebee queens which will hibernate through winter are emerging. Queens are considerably larger than worker bees.
The PNW Bumble Bee Atlas has the greatest illustrated guide to PNW Bumble Bees. Included in the guide is an illustration of the 3 species of cuckoo bumble bees found in Oregon. It looks like none of the species found in Oregon have a black spot on the thorax which it appears that the bee in the photos does have. Most likely it is a young queen and not a cuckoo bumblebee.
I can't positively identify the "bee" but here's some information which will help you. This time of year the bumblebee queens which will hibernate through winter are emerging. Queens are considerably larger than worker bees.
The PNW Bumble Bee Atlas has the greatest illustrated guide to PNW Bumble Bees. Included in the guide is an illustration of the 3 species of cuckoo bumble bees found in Oregon. It looks like none of the species found in Oregon have a black spot on the thorax which it appears that the bee in the photos does have. Most likely it is a young queen and not a cuckoo bumblebee.
