Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Bombus affinis
The rusty patched bumble bee was once the social butterfly of the bee world, buzzing around much of the eastern and Midwestern United States and parts of Canada. Then, sometime in the late 20th century, things went terribly wrong. Scientists aren’t entirely sure what happened, but the leading suspects include disease, pesticides, habitat loss, climate change, and possibly just a really unfortunate streak of bad luck. By 2017, this formerly common bee had become so rare that it earned a spot on the federal endangered species list—a dramatic fall from insect celebrity status.
Despite its tiny size, the rusty patched bumble bee lives a surprisingly complicated life. Every spring, a lone queen wakes up from her winter nap, immediately becomes a single mother, a construction worker, a food delivery driver, and a daycare provider all at once. She must find a suitable abandoned rodent burrow, gather enough food, and raise the first batch of workers entirely by herself. If she succeeds, the colony can grow to over 1,000 workers.
These bees are also surprisingly picky eaters. They require a nonstop buffet of blooming flowers from early spring through fall, because unlike some insects, they can’t simply survive on whatever happens to be blooming that week. Their relatively short tongues prevent them from accessing certain flowers, meaning they must carefully curate their flower options.
When it comes to housing, rusty patched bumble bees prefer a cozy underground lifestyle. About 95% of known nests are found in abandoned rodent burrows. The queens spend winter buried under leaf litter and loose soil in shaded woodland areas, emerging in spring. They generally avoid flying in rain, fog, or strong winds.
Today, conservationists, scientists, and wildlife agencies are working hard to help the rusty patched bumble bee stage a comeback tour. Efforts include habitat restoration, research, monitoring, and encouraging people to report bee sightings. So if you ever spot a fuzzy bee sporting what looks like a tiny rusty-colored patch on its back, take a photo. You may have just encountered one of North America’s rarest pollinators.
Source: Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service