Brown-belted bumble bee vs Rusty patched bumble bee
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a brown-belted bumble bee from a rusty patched bumble bee, and whether either one bites or stings.
Brown-belted bumble bee
Bombus griseocollis
Rusty patched bumble bee
Bombus affinis
≠The key differences
Bombus griseocollis sometimes shows brownish hairs but usually has different banding and a paler thoracic patch rather than a single rusty abdominal patch.
⚖︎Side by side
| Brown-belted bumble bee | Rusty patched bumble bee | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Can sting | Can sting |
| Size | 10-22 mm (workers and males smaller, queens larger) | Workers 10-16 mm, queens 20-22 mm (body length) |
| Colours | Black, Yellow, Brown, Pale grey | Black, Yellow, Rusty red, Pale hair (off-white) |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Habitat | Open and semi-open habitats: meadows, gardens, forest edges, farmland and suburban areas; nests in cavities at or near ground level. | Grassy meadows, prairies, open woodland edges, marsh margins, and flower-rich urban gardens; nests on or just below ground in cavities or dense grass |
| Range | Widespread across much of the United States and southern Canada, most common in the East and Midwest. | Historically across eastern and midwestern North America from southern Ontario and Quebec and New England west to the Dakotas and south to Georgia; now much reduced, with scattered populations mainly in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois), the central Appalachians and southern Ontario |
| Active | Spring through early fall (varies by region); day-active during warm daylight hours. | Spring through late summer (roughly April to September depending on latitude); diurnal (active during daylight) |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a brown-belted bumble bee
- Mostly yellow thorax, often with a small black spot between the wings
- Brown or chestnut band on the second abdominal segment (the 'brown belt')
- Yellow first abdominal segment and black tail; short, even hair
🔍How to spot a rusty patched bumble bee
- Look for a rusty or reddish patch on the second abdominal segment of workers and males (queens lack it).
- Black head and yellow thorax with a black spot between the wings; rear of the abdomen black.
- Robust, hairy body typical of bumble bees; queens are noticeably larger than workers.
- In eastern North America, check size and pattern against common species like Bombus impatiens and Bombus vagans (see similar species).
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a brown-belted bumble bee and a rusty patched bumble bee?
Bombus griseocollis sometimes shows brownish hairs but usually has different banding and a paler thoracic patch rather than a single rusty abdominal patch.
Is a brown-belted bumble bee or a rusty patched bumble bee more dangerous?
Brown-belted bumble bee: Can sting. Rusty patched bumble bee: Can sting. Bumble bees can sting and will do so if handled, squeezed, or if defending the nest. Rusty patched bumble bees are not aggressive but can sting if handled or trapped against skin.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.