Conservation Concern ²

This northern subspecies of the Western Bumble Bee ranges in Canada from northern British Columbia through the southern Yukon and the westernmost Northwest Territories. Recent surveys suggest that it is still relatively common. However, its southern relatives are experiencing a serious, apparently northward- moving decline, and the northern subspecies faces an uncertain future.

Description ²

A medium-sized bumble bee with a short head. In Yukon, these bees usually have a transverse band of golden hair across the front of the thorax, a golden stripe across the third segment of the abdomen, and a whitish tip to the abdomen.

Typical Habitat in the Yukon ²

A bumble bee of the valleys, where it inhabits mixed woodlands and montane meadows. Requires nectar and pollen from a wide variety of owers throughout the spring and summer, including willows, Kinnikinnick, sweet vetches and white sweet-clover. Nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows.

Potential Threats in Yukon ²

High natural parasite load, particularly the intercellular, parasitic, fungus Nosema bombs. Pesticide and other chemical use in agriculture. Habitat loss.

Did You Know? ²

Bumble bees are essential to the pollination of certain owers that require a serious shaking to release their pollen; blueberries and low-bush cranberries are good examples. The mckayi subspecies of Western Bumble Bee probably originated in the unglaciated region of Beringia, when the northern populations were isolated from their southern cousins by the vast ice sheets that covered British Columbia and southern Yukon.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by L.G. Johanson
2. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

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