Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide (Princeton Field Guides Book 89)

More than ever before, there is widespread interest in studying bumble bees and the critical role they play in our ecosystems. __Bumble Bees of North America__ is the first comprehensive guide to North American bumble bees to be published in more than a century. Richly illustrated with color photographs, diagrams, range maps, and graphs of seasonal activity patterns, this guide allows amateur and professional naturalists to identify all 46 bumble bee species found north of Mexico and to understand their ecology and changing geographic distributions. The book draws on the latest molecular research, shows the enormous color variation within species, and guides readers through the many confusing convergences between species. It draws on a large repository of data from museum collections and presents state-of-the-art results on evolutionary relationships, distributions, and ecological roles. Illustrated keys allow identification of color morphs and social castes. A landmark publication, __Bumble Bees of North America__ sets the standard for guides and the study of these important insects. * The best guide yet to the 46 recognized bumble bee species in North America north of Mexico * Up-to-date taxonomy includes previously unpublished results * Detailed distribution maps * Extensive keys identify the many color patterns of species The essential guide for identifying the bumble bees of North America More than ever before, there is widespread interest in studying bumble bees and the critical role they play in our ecosystems. Bumble Bees of North America is the first comprehensive guide to North American bumble bees to be published in more than a century. Richly illustrated with color photographs, diagrams, range maps, and graphs of seasonal activity patterns, this guide allows amateur and professional naturalists to identify all 46 bumble bee species found north of Mexico and to understand their ecology and changing geographic distributions. The book draws on the latest molecular research, shows the enormous color variation within species, and guides readers through the many confusing convergences between species. It draws on a large repository of data from museum collections and presents state-of-the-art results on evolutionary relationships, distributions, and ecological roles. Illustrated keys allow identification of color morphs and social castes. A landmark publication, Bumble Bees of North America sets the standard for guides and the study of these important insects. The best guide yet to the 46 recognized bumble bee species in North America north of Mexico Up-to-date taxonomy includes previously unpublished results Detailed distribution maps Extensive keys identify the many color patterns of species Contents Introduction Observing Bumble Bees Attracting Bumble Bees Bumble Bee Forage Guide by Ecoregion Maps and Seasonal Activity Bumble Bee Decline and Conservation Threats to Bumble Bees Natural Enemies Mimicry Distinguishing Bumble Bees from Other Insects Bumble Bee Names and Classification How to Use This Book to Identify Bumble Bee Species Species Accounts Square- or long-cheeked bees with a rounded angle on the midleg Short-cheeked bees with a rounded angle on the midleg Medium- or long-cheeked bees with a sharp angle on the midleg Hindleg (tibia) with the outer surface uniformly convex and densely hairy (cuckoo bumble bees, no workers) Identification Keys to Female and Male Bumble Bees, with Photos Glossary Additional Resources Acknowledgments Photo Credits Index A guide to North American bumble bees. It focuses on the molecular research that shows the enormous color variation within species, and guides readers through the many confusing convergences between species.