Bombus citrinus
Bombus citrinus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Hymenoptera |
Family: | Apidae |
Genus: | Bombus |
Subgenus: | Psithyrus |
Species: | B. citrinus
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Binomial name | |
Bombus citrinus (Smith, 1854)
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Bombus citrinus is a species of bumblebee known commonly as the lemon cuckoo bumblebee due to its lemon-yellow color.[2] It is native to eastern North America.[1]
This is a
Before the queen invades a nest she forages on various plants, such as asters, thistles, snakeroots, blazing-stars, mountain-mints, and goldenrods.[1]
Phylogeny
Bombus citrinus belongs to the parasitic
Morphology
Like all cuckoo bumble bees, the outer tibial surface of the hind leg is convex and densely hairy, rather than adapted for pollen transport. Their heads are more teardrop shaped and the thorax is predominantly yellow including the lower sides and sometimes down to segment T4 or 5. Hair on the face is usually black with some yellow hairs, there are usually no black hairs on the thorax and would not form a band between the wing bases. Metastomal hairs are short and even and longer on T5 than the other joints and matte with dense punctures on T6.[9] The wings are slightly opaque ranging from a reddish brown to brownish black and yellowish during pubescence. They are sometimes interspersed with black hairs.[10] The male genitalia contain some of the most distinguishing characteristics when differentiating bumble bee species. The gonostylus are lined with long hairs, hairs on the yellow volsella are much shorter. The penis valve is long and thin and relatively straight compared to other bumble bee species.[11]
Distribution
Found in parts of the Northeastern area of North America. Their distribution includes eastern to central parts of Canada, Northeastern U.S states and parts of the mid-western and southeast regions of the U.S.[3]
Biology
Chemical ecology
When invading a colony, P. citrinus acquire the host scent as well as transfer it using mauling to camouflage and dominate the colony. Colony recognition cues within a colony have an important function in cooperation and distinguishing between nestmates and non-nestmates, parasites, and robbers. Many species in the subgenus Psithyrus use scent to evade the host colony's recognition cues. Long chain alkanes and alkenes may possibly play a role in the production of Psithyrus' scent.[12] The Dufour's gland is enlarged in the Psithyrus subgenus and believed to be the source of chemical production for bees in the genus.[5]
Parasitism
Bombus citrinus is an obligate
References
- ^ a b c Hatfield, R., et al. 2014. Bombus citrinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 04 March 2016.
- ^ Entomological Society of America (November 2006). "Insect Common Names Proposed for Membership Consideration" (PDF). Entomological Society of America Newsletter. 29 (11): 6. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Bombus citrinus". NatureServe Explorer. March 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ Bohart, George E. (1970-04-01). "The evolution of parasitism among bees". Utah State University Faculty Honor Lectures: 6–10.
- ^ .
- ^ PMID 18275002.
- ^ PMID 30967081.
- .
- ^ a b Colla, Sheila; Richardson, Leif; Williams, Paul. "Bumble Bees of the Eastern United States" (PDF). Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- ^ Discover Life. "Bombus citrinus". Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- ^ Natural History Museum. "Psithyrus male genitalia". Bumblebee ID. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- S2CID 25739319.