Brownbelted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis) on Aug 29, 2010

Originally reported as Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.)

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

I was walking around Fern Ridge resevoie on 8/28 and snapped a picture of what looked to me be to an Eastern Bumblebee, bombus impatiens.

OTOH, it could also be Bombus vagans, the Half-black Bumble Bee,
However, the article, Abundance and Diversity of Native Bumble Bees Associated with Agricultural Crops: The Willamette Valley Experience (see link)
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/psyche/2010/354072.html
stated there were no Half-black bumblebees in the Willamette Valley

Commentary

Hi Pat, I have submitted your photo to the Oregon State University insect identification clinic. As soon as we receive a response, I'll email you via our hotline.

Lisa DeBruyckere
Aug. 29, 2010, 10 a.m.

Pat, staff at the Oregon State University insect identification lab said that "The image is a very good match for a native species, Bombus griseocollis (DeGeer), found in both eastern and western Oregon, including the Willamette Valley."

Thank you for your report!

Lisa DeBruyckere
Aug. 30, 2010, 6:04 a.m.