Documenting Bombus nevadensis in Minnesota, with some notes on discerning it from B. auricomus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

In the face of well-documented declines in multiple bumblebee species, it is important to accurately identify species and properly delineate species ranges. Here, we document the range of Bombus auricomus (Robertson) and B. nevadensis Cresson in Minnesota, with particular reference to the unexpected discovery of B. nevadensis in St. Paul. We clarify the relative ranges of these two species and provide additional information on how to reliably identify them in Minnesota using color patterns and morphology, including differences in male genitalia. Our results support the consensus that B. auricomus and B. nevadensis are distinct species. Community science records were integral to fully documenting the range of B. nevadensis in Minnesota. Our findings demonstrate the value of community science data, though it highlights the need for experts to check the data and to be mindful of biases in observations around population centers.