Large bee ID - Ask Extension
I have been noticing a very large bee in my Springfield garden. It is about twice the size of a honeybee and doesn’t appear to collect pollen on its...
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Large bee ID #847451
Asked August 26, 2023, 11:29 PM EDT
I have been noticing a very large bee in my Springfield garden. It is about twice the size of a honeybee and doesn’t appear to collect pollen on its legs. At first glance, it resembles a Queen, but is a little wider in the abdomen. I could catch one to bring it in if necessary. Any ideas? I cannot seem to find an ID for it.
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Lynnea,
It's a bumble bee male. Males bumble bees are ONLY produced in the later months of the summer and signal the completion of the colony cycle (I.e., colonies will naturally collapse in a few weeks). Male bees typically have an extra exposed tergal segment on their abdomen, so they look visibly longer. Their antennae typically look longer than females as well. We have about 25 species of bumble bees in Oregon and males are notoriously difficult to identify without dissecting out their genitalia, so I would not venture guess at the species. Their hair patterns frequently don't look those on females.
Best,
Andony
It's a bumble bee male. Males bumble bees are ONLY produced in the later months of the summer and signal the completion of the colony cycle (I.e., colonies will naturally collapse in a few weeks). Male bees typically have an extra exposed tergal segment on their abdomen, so they look visibly longer. Their antennae typically look longer than females as well. We have about 25 species of bumble bees in Oregon and males are notoriously difficult to identify without dissecting out their genitalia, so I would not venture guess at the species. Their hair patterns frequently don't look those on females.
Best,
Andony
