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Bombus mixtus

ObservationsObservations of this species.

Bombus (Pyrobombus) mixtus, Cresson 1878

Description:

Thorax Head Abdomen
Pile of scutum yellow with black; scutellum yellow mixed with black; pleura yellow. Pile of Face yellow mixed with black. Gastral terga 1 and 2 yellow, at least laterally; terga 3 black; terga 4 orange medially, black laterally; terga 5 and 6 brownish white.


Identification:

The coloration of B. mixtus is most easily confused with that of B. sitkensis. Both species have the first two gastral terga yellow, the third black, and the fifth and sixth light colored. These species’ head and thorax coloration are also very similar.

There are some minor differences in the coloration and the size of the malar region which can be used to distinguish the species. The fourth gastral tergum of B. sitkensis is all black, while in B. mixtus, the fourth tergum is orange colored medially. The first and second gastral terga of malar space is longer than wide. Where as in B. sitkensis, the malar space is as long as, or shorter than wide.

B. sitkensis B. mixtus

Geography:

B. mixtus is found in the Western states from central British Columbia to central California.

Last updated Tuesday, July 25, 2006, by Lisa Ferrier