Bombus affinis, commonly known as rusty patched bumble bees were once common throughout the east and upper Midwest but its population has recently had a drastic decline. The USFWS listed the rusty patched bumble bee as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Rusty-patched bumble bee worker diagnostic traits:
- Thorax – black hairs in the shape of a thumb tack
- 1st abdominal segment – yellow
- 2nd abdominal segment - Rust colored patch on the middle and front half and yellow on the rear half
- Remaining abdominal segments – black
Find out how to create habitat for the rusty-patched bumble bee and other pollinators on USFWS, Xerces Society and BWSR websites.
Apply today for an Individual Support Grant by visiting Blue Thumb's website. Applications will be accepted through February 15, 2022.
View Verifiable Observations of Bombus affinis on INaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/121519-Bombus-affinis
USFWS Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Map: