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Help identify bumblebee species #849940

Asked September 14, 2023, 3:09 PM EDT

Hi. I have noticed a new species of bumblebee in the garden. It looks different from other bumblebees that I observed earlier in the season. I submitted this sighting to Bumblebee Watch, but i never get any feedback from them, so i am hoping you can help me. Thank you

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

We are consulting some entomologists to help make an identification and will let you know what they determine as soon as we get their feedback.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 15, 2023, 12:50 PM EDT

Hello,

Thank you for reaching out to the University of Maryland Extension and thank you for your clear photos.

The insect appears to be a bee in the genus (insect group) Bombus, commonly known as bumble bees. There are over 10 recorded species of bumble bees found in
Maryland. Bumble bees are robust insects with black bodies covered by yellow hairs.
Based on the traits we can see in the photos the bumble bee may be a male American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus). 

For more information on bumble bees, please see the below resources:


Answered by University of Maryland Extension faculty. For more information on a variety of yard and garden topics, visit the HGIC program web page and blog, Maryland Grows. Replied September 18, 2023, 10:51 AM EDT
Thank you for getting back to me! Hopefully this gorgeous male Bombus pensylvanicus has done his part to ensure that we have a new colony of these attractive bumblebees in the backyard next spring. We love having them around and so do our tomatoes!

Olga

On Sep 18, 2023, at 10:52 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied September 18, 2023, 2:45 PM EDT

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