Bombus nevadensis, Nevada Bumble Bee

The Nevada Bumble Bee, Bombus nevadensis, is the quintessential flying teddy bear bumbling through your garden. Look for Bombus queens emerging from their underground nests in late spring—which could be quite soon with this year’s warm weather! Relatively common, B. nevadensis has been documented from Mexico to Alaska, as far East as Wisconsin, and from the prairie to above 7,000 ft. 

Early blooming flowers are critical for bumblebee queens’ survival when they emerge after diapause, so try to ensure that your garden has as many native early bloomers as possible. B. nevadensis are generalist foragers, but have a documented affinity for milkvetches, such as the Two-Grooved Milkvetch, Astragalus bisulcatus, pictured here. Their long tongues enable them to access nectar from deep tubular flowers that shorter-tongued bees cannot reach, making B. nevadensis an important pollinator for penstemons, lupines, monarda, and other tubular flowers, as well. 

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In 2022, People & Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) championed CO Senate Bill 22-199 at the legislature, in which the CO Department of Natural Resources commissioned a study on our state's native pollinating insects. ​​​

Insects, often underestimated, play a remarkable role in our state's landscapes. Not only are they cool, but they are also vital contributors to essential ecosystem services. From pollination to waste decomposition, insects support Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the mountains to the rivers.

Join us as we delve into the world of this fascinating wildlife and learn about the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Study (2024) report! Check out pages 43 and 233 to discover more about the Nevada Bumble Bee!