description Bombus occidentalis Overview
Bombus occidentalis, commonly called the western bumble bee, is a bumblebee native to western North America. It is a social, ground-nesting pollinator whose workers visit many kinds of flowering plants and transport pollen while gathering nectar and food for the colony. Once widespread and common across much of its range, it has undergone substantial declines in parts of the United States and Canada since the late 1990s.
help Bombus occidentalis FAQ
What is the geographic range of the western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis)?
Bombus occidentalis is native to North America, with its historical range existing west of the Great Plains. It spans from the Pacific coast of California and Oregon up through the Pacific Northwest into Alaska and western Canada.
Why did the Bombus occidentalis population decline in the late 1990s?
The western bumble bee experienced significant population declines since the late 1990s, particularly in its coastal populations. Researchers believe these crashes were heavily linked to the spread of a fungal pathogen known as Nosema bombi.
What does a Bombus occidentalis bee look like?
The western bumble bee typically has a distinct color pattern featuring a white or pale yellow abdomen tip. However, there is visual variation, and the species was historically separated into different color patterns depending on its specific region.
Is the western bumble bee considered an endangered species?
While its population has drastically declined, Bombus occidentalis has not yet been listed under the United States Endangered Species Act at the federal level. However, it is actively tracked and recognized as vulnerable or imperiled by various state wildlife agencies.
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