Known locations with biophysical regions depicted by black lines and counties by gray lines.
This species is found throughout eastern North America, from Maine to Florida then over to Minnesota and down to Louisiana. B. pensylvanicus was once considered one of the most common bumble bee species in the east, but is now uncommon and continuing to decline. The last known record for this species in Vermont was in 2000. Queens emerge late in the season and have disappeared by September.
Select food plants: Vicia (Vetches), Lotus corniculata, Trifolium (Clovers), Solidago (Goldenrods), Hypericum (St. John’s Wort), Eupatorium
Tongue Length: long
Nest: nests on surface of ground
Parasitized by: B. variabilis
Similar Species: B. terricola, B. auricomus
General Phenology:
queens: May – September
workers: June – September
males: July – October
