North American Bumble Bees
And Bumble Bees Of
Central America And Mexico

Updated: Nov 2022

The USA has over 3,000 known species of bee, and of these, about 40 are bumble bees (i.e. of the genus Bombus).

Status of Bumble Bees In The USA

As in other areas of the world, bumble bees are a cause for concern. Bombus franklini and Bombus occidentalis are unfortunately believed to be on the brink of extinction/facing very serious decline.

(Update 2019: Bombus franklini and Bombus occidentalis have been given legal protection in California along with Bombus crotchii and Bombus suckleyi. It's an interesting story! See 'Are Bees Fish In California?').

Threats to bumble bees include:

habitat loss: due to intensive agriculture, urbanization and building development;
the use of pesticides;
general pollution, including air pollution; and
the introduction of diseases and parasites from Europe due to commercial trade in bumble bees for pollination (i.e. for using in pollinating greenhouse crops such as tomatoes) - read more on my page about commercially reared bumble bees.

Wherever possible, please try to do your bit to help if you can.

In particular, try to leave bumble bee nests alone. I do not recommend killing bumble bees even just to 'take a closer look' or 'to collect' them.

Bombus impatiens Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Common Eastern Bumble Bee - Bombus impatiens

For further information, the book, 'Bumble Bees of North America' is a good identification guide. See my review and description of Bumble Bees Of North America.

Another book I heartily recommend is 'The Bees In Your Backyard'.