January 2011 - Bombus bifarius

Bombus bifarius (no common name) is a bumblebee found in western Canada and the United States. Although they can sting, bumblebees are extremely important pollinators. They are characterized by their yellow and black hairy bodies. In the spring a female bumblebee which has managed to overwinter will set up a new colony in an abandoned rodent burrow. Here she lays her eggs which become worker bees. The colony only exists for one year.