description Bombus haemorrhous Overview
Bombus haemorrhous is a species of eusocial bumblebee found in montane regions of Asia, particularly throughout the Himalayas. Like other bumblebees, it lives in structured colonies consisting of a queen and worker castes. This species is morphologically distinguished from related taxa by a distinct reddish or orange coloration on the final segments of its abdomen. It plays a standard ecological role in its high-altitude habitat by pollinating native flowering plants.
help Bombus haemorrhous FAQ
Is Bombus haemorrhous the accepted spelling of this bee's name?
The catalog label says Bombus haemorrhous, but NCBI and Himalayan taxonomic papers use Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith, 1852. The catalog name is therefore likely a spelling variant or error, so species identification should be checked against an expert key. [NCBI taxonomy record](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=207636)
Where is Bombus haemorrhoidalis found?
Bombus haemorrhoidalis is recorded from Himalayan regions including Kashmir and Nepal, with published records spanning montane elevations. One regional dataset lists records from roughly 400 to 3,450 meters, so it is not limited to the highest alpine zone. [Himalayan bumblebee distribution study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1313298919002404)
How can Bombus haemorrhoidalis be identified?
Published keys describe queens with black head and thorax, white first and second abdominal segments, and brick-red segments near the rear. Workers are described with yellow first and second abdominal segments and brick-red rear segments, but caste and regional variation mean color alone is not always enough. [Taxonomic study](https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/?ArticleId=9289&issue=1&vol=12&year=2024)
What role does this Himalayan bumblebee play?
Like other eusocial Bombus species, it lives in colonies organized around queens and workers and acts as a flower pollinator. Research on Himalayan bees also discusses native species for greenhouse and polyhouse pollination, in contrast to widely reared species such as Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens. [Himalayan bumblebee guide](https://cebios.naturalsciences.be/abc-taxa-21/)
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.
