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Bombus impatiens, red freak, F, Face, Maryland, Frederick County
People think that identifying Bumble Bees are easy. They are big, there are "guides" that show the color patterns...so what could go wrong....well....things like this specimen of Bombus impatiens. It should have NO red / brown on it, but this specimens has 2 whole tergites that are reddish brown. We see that commonishly in this species but it occurs in others too. In the end the safest identification is a pinned specimen that others can check. Photography by Brooke Alexander.
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