Bee Basics
What is the rusty-patched bumblebee’s species name?
Bombus affinis
Where in Ontario was the last confirmed sighting of this bee?
Pinery Provincial Park
Name one abiotic factor affecting the bee.
Sunlight / Temperature, etc.
What plant is a producer in its food chain?
Goldenrod
True or False: Bumblebees live in giant colonies like honeybees.
False
What do rusty-patched bumblebees eat?
Nectar and pollen from plants
Name one urban area in Ontario where they were historically found.
Toronto / Hamilton / GTA
What percentage of decline has their population faced?
Over 87%
What is the bee’s role in the food chain?
Primary consumer / pollinator
What body part is used to carry pollen?
Pollen baskets on legs
What is the rusty patch and who has it?
Rusty-colored patch on males and workers' abdomens
What type of biome do they live in?
Terrestrial (e.g., forests)
What’s one threat from commercial bee colonies?
Disease or parasites
Name a predator of the rusty-patched bumblebee.
Spider or bird (e.g., crab spider, flycatcher)
How big is the average rusty-patched bumblebee?
1–2 cm
What is their feeding trend herbivore or omnivore?
Herbivore
Name two types of habitats in Ontario where the rusty-patched bumblebee has been found.
Meadows and oak savannahs (also acceptable: sand dunes, mixed farmland, open woods)
Name one pesticide type harming bees.
Neonicotinoids
What’s one reason bees are important to ecosystems?
Pollination / Biodiversity
When are they active compared to other bees?
Early in spring
What color is the unique patch found on the rusty-patched bumblebee? And where is it found?
Rusty-orange (on the second abdominal segment)
What type of land use has caused large habitat loss for these bees in Ontario?
Urban development and agriculture
Name three limiting factors affecting their survival.
Habitat loss, pesticide use, poor genetic diversity
Label 3 trophic levels in the food chain (e.g., goldenrod → bee → spider).
A: Producer → Primary Consumer → Secondary Consumer
What’s the maximum number of bees in one of their colonies?
Around 1,000