This large bumble bee is approximately 1 inch in length. The face is black and the eyes are large and black. There is some yellow hair on the vertex (on the top of the head between the eyes). The upper part of the thorax has yellow hair and the lower part is black. The first abdominal segment (T1) is black. The middle segments of the abdomen are yellow and the last segments are black. The legs are black and the wings are dark brown. This bee is a mimic of the American Bumble Bee (B. pennsylvanicus). The yellow hair on the face, the all black first abdominal segment and the lower position of the occelli (very small simple eyes located on the upper part of the head) are diagnostic for this species.
This species is common in open fields where it can be seen nectaring on flowers especially Bee Balm, Culver’s Root and Liatrice.
Most bumble bees lay eggs in clusters, but B. auricomus lays a single egg in each of several separate cells. Bumble bees usually nest below ground in preexisting holes, usually in old rodent nests. Bumble bees, unlike honey bees, lack a barb in the stinger and are capable of stinging more than once. They are usually not aggressive.
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