Bombus rufocinctus, f, back clean, PA, Erie Co
Let us present the first record of Bombus rufocinctus for the state of Pennsylvania. This is a not uncommon northern and western species....it just hasn't been found in PA as of yet. Some notes on its identification. It has very short face compared to other bumbles...a little light colored topknot of pale hairs above the ocelli...and very variable abdominal hair patterns...nearly all varieties of hair patterns can occur in a single colony of bumble bees...just to irritate biologists. Pictures by Greta Forbes. Bee capture by the state of Pennsylvania in Eire County.
Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all
Ye know on earth and all ye need to know
" Ode on a Grecian Urn"
John Keats. Original public domain image from Flickr