Insects Active during the day

Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee

Bombus bifarius

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A colorful icon of the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee is a hardy alpine pollinator known for its vivid orange bands and its incredible ability to forage in the thin, cool air of high altitudes.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 8-14 mm (0.3-0.55 in); Wingspan: 20-25 mm (0.8-1.0 in)

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Colors

Bright yellow and black bands with distinctive orange-red segments on the middle of the abdomen; features a signature black V-shaped 'notch' on the thorax.

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Key Features

Central V-shaped black notch on the yellow scutellum (lower thorax)
Vibrant orange or rusty-red hair on abdominal segments T2 and T3
Dense, fuzzy appearance with yellow hair on the face
Relatively small and compact body compared to larger bumblebee species

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 9 AM - 4 PM

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Season June-August

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Diet A generalist forager that consumes nectar for carbohydrates and collects pollen as a protein source for its larvae. It shows a strong preference for native wildflowers including Penstemons, Lupines, Asters, and Rabbitbrush.

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Habitat High-altitude meadows, mountain parklands, subalpine forest edges, and pollinator-friendly gardens within its montane range.

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Where Does the Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee Live?

This species is a quintessential resident of the American West, with its range primarily centered in the mountainous regions of Colorado and Utah. While it was historically grouped with wider-ranging bees, it is now recognized as a specialist of the central Rocky Mountain highlands. Within this region, it is most frequently encountered in montane and subalpine zones where it thrives in the short but bloom-heavy summer seasons.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

450K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

US United States

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

1,500 m – 3,800 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee is a social insect that lives in colonies founded by a single queen each spring. These bees are renowned for 'buzz pollination,' a technique where they vibrate their flight muscles at a specific frequency to shake pollen loose from flowers that other insects can't access. They are highly industrious mountain specialists, often emerging earlier in the day and staying active later into the evening than other bee species, thanks to their ability to generate internal body heat through shivering.

In the backyard, these bees are generally docile and focused entirely on foraging. They follow 'traplines,' which are established routes between high-yield flower patches, showing a remarkable memory for where the best nectar is located. Unlike honeybees, their colonies are smaller (usually 50 to 200 individuals) and are typically located underground in abandoned rodent burrows or thick clumps of grass.

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Camera Tips

To capture clear footage of the Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee, position your camera within 6 to 10 inches of high-nectar 'magnet' plants like Purple Coneflower, Salvia, or Bee Balm. Because these bees are fast and erratic fliers, using a high frame rate or a camera with a fast shutter speed is critical to preventing motion blur. If your AI camera has a macro-focus setting, ensure it is engaged to capture the fine details of the wing veins and the distinctive black notch on the thorax.

Lighting is the most important factor when filming these fuzzy pollinators. Try to place your camera so the sun is behind you, illuminating the bee's colorful abdominal bands. Early morning light (between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM) is often the best, as the bees may be slightly slower while they warm up, allowing for longer video clips. If you notice a bee hovering or 'shivering' on a flower, stay still—it is likely generating heat to fly and will provide a perfect, steady subject for your lens.

For the best identification results, aim for a dorsal (top-down) view. The most critical field mark for this species—the black V-shaped notch on the scutellum—is only visible from above. Avoid using artificial feeders; instead, plant a variety of native flowering plants with different bloom times to keep them returning to your camera's field of view throughout the summer season. Ensure your camera is mounted on a stable stake, as even a slight breeze moving the plant can throw off the AI's focus on such a small subject.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Colorado Black-notched Bumble Bee.

Vancouver Bumble Bee

Formerly considered the same species, but usually has black or gray hair on the tail rather than the bright red-orange bands found on B. bifarius.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are most active during the daylight hours, typically from 9 AM to 4 PM. In the high mountains, they are often the first bees to appear in the morning because they can shiver to warm their bodies even when the air is cool.

Plant native wildflowers like Penstemon, Lupine, and Asters. They are especially attracted to blue, purple, and yellow flowers that provide high amounts of nectar and pollen.

Adults drink nectar for energy, while they collect pollen to bring back to the nest to feed the growing larvae. They are generalists and will visit many types of flowers.

Yes, provided the area is within their elevation range (above 5,000 feet) and has plenty of native flowers. They are common visitors to mountain town gardens in Colorado and Utah.

Look for the distinctive black 'notch' or V-shape in the middle of the yellow hair on their thorax, and the bright orange-red bands on the second and third segments of their abdomen.

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