description Bombus citrinus Overview
Bombus citrinus, the lemon cuckoo bumblebee, is a parasitic bumblebee in the subgenus Psithyrus. It does not establish a normal worker-producing colony or rear its own young; instead, a female enters a nest of a host bumblebee and uses that colony to raise her offspring. The species is most common in the northeastern United States, with a range extending into southern Canada and west to North Dakota, and it has a lemon-yellow coloration.
help Bombus citrinus FAQ
How does Bombus citrinus reproduce without building its own worker colony?
Bombus citrinus is a cuckoo bumblebee in the subgenus Psithyrus, so the female enters a host bumblebee nest. She uses the host colony's workers to raise her own offspring instead of producing a normal worker force.
What is the common name of Bombus citrinus?
Bombus citrinus is commonly called the lemon cuckoo bumblebee. The name reflects its parasitic nesting behavior and its yellow, lemon-like coloration.
Does Bombus citrinus collect pollen for its own larvae?
It does not run an independent worker-producing colony like a typical bumblebee. Its larvae are raised inside a host colony, whose workers provide the normal care and food.
What makes Bombus citrinus different from ordinary bumblebees?
Its key difference is social parasitism: a female takes over or infiltrates an existing bumblebee nest. Ordinary Bombus queens establish colonies and produce workers, while Bombus citrinus does not.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
