Bombus (Bombias) auricomus (Robertson, 1903)

Zarrillo, Tracy A., Stoner, Kimberly A. & Ascher, John S., 2025, Biodiversity of Bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila) in Connecticut (USA), Zootaxa 5586 (1), pp. 1-138 : 80

Bombus (Bombias) auricomus (Robertson, 1903)

Black-and-gold Bumble Bee

Notes: This species is rarely detected in Connecticut, having only three historical female records (two from 1919 and one from 1905), and three sightings on iNaturalist in 2021 (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_ id=49&subview=map&taxon_id=198856) (see also Figure 2 , C). The 1905 specimen was netted from lilac ( Syringa sp. ), and the 2021 observations were visiting wild bergamot ( Monarda spp. ). The most recent sightings were in the towns of Milford (New Haven County) in a pollinator garden at The Connecticut Audubon Society Coastal Center at Milford Point near suburban coastal developments, Portland (Middlesex County) in a suburban flower garden largely composed of various Monarda spp. and anise hyssop ( Agastache foeniculum ), and Vernon (Tolland County) in a wildflower meadow in the Belding Wildlife Management Area.

Figures

FIGURE 2. A) Pseudoanthidium nanum (Mocsáry), photographed by D. Cappaert in Hartford County, Connecticut.B) Coelioxys coturnix Pérez, photographed by D. Cappaert in Hartford County, Connecticut.C) Bombus auricomus (Robertson), photographed by M. Nichols in New Haven County, Connecticut. D) Bombus ternarius Say, photographed by C. Young in Litchfield County, Connecticut. E) Andrena parnassiae Cockerell, photographed by M. McCarthy in Litchfield County, Connecticut. F) Andrena aliciae Robertson, photographed by D. Cappaert in New Haven County, Connecticut.