description Bombus suckleyi Overview
Bombus suckleyi, commonly known as Suckley's cuckoo bumblebee, is a North American insect that operates as an obligate social parasite. Lacking its own worker caste, the parasitic queen invades the nests of other bumblebee species, particularly targeting resource-rich colonies of orange-belted bumblebees. Once inside, the parasite kills or subdues the host queen and lays her eggs, which are then reared by the existing host workers. It is classified within the subgenus Psithyrus and is native to the western United States.
help Bombus suckleyi FAQ
What is Suckley's cuckoo bumblebee?
Bombus suckleyi, known as Suckley's cuckoo bumblebee, is a North American species of cuckoo bumblebee. Like other cuckoo bumblebees (subgenus Psithyrus), it does not build its own nest or collect pollen — instead, the queen invades the nest of another bumblebee species and exploits the host colony's workers.
What host species does Bombus suckleyi parasitize?
Bombus suckleyi targets the nests of orange-belted bumblebees (the Bombus ternarius group and related species) in the western United States. The cuckoo queen enters the host nest, kills or suppresses the host queen, and then lays her own eggs for the host workers to raise.
Is Suckley's cuckoo bumblebee endangered?
Bombus suckleyi has experienced population declines alongside broader bumblebee declines in North America and is considered a species of conservation concern. Its dependence on healthy host colonies makes it particularly vulnerable when host bumblebee populations decline.
How does a cuckoo bumblebee take over a host nest?
The female cuckoo bumblebee enters an established host colony, often after fighting and killing or dominating the resident queen. She then lays her own eggs, which the host workers tend and raise as if they were their own queen's offspring, a strategy known as social parasitism.
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.
