Common eastern bumble bee vs Brown-belted bumble bee
These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell a common eastern bumble bee from a brown-belted bumble bee, and whether either one bites or stings.
Common eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
Brown-belted bumble bee
Bombus griseocollis
≠The key differences
Has a brownish band on the second abdominal segment and short, even hair; males have large eyes.
B. impatiens has yellow only on the first abdominal segment, with the rest of the abdomen black, and no brown band.
⚖︎Side by side
| Common eastern bumble bee | Brown-belted bumble bee | |
|---|---|---|
| To humans | Can sting | Can sting |
| Size | Queen 18-22 mm; workers 8-16 mm; males 12-17 mm (body length) | 10-22 mm (workers and males smaller, queens larger) |
| Colours | Black, Bright yellow, White (tail) | Black, Yellow, Brown, Pale grey |
| Family | Apidae | Apidae |
| Habitat | Open and semi-open areas: gardens, meadows, parks, agricultural fields, forest edges; nests in cavities, rodent burrows, compost piles and sheltered cavities. | Open and semi-open habitats: meadows, gardens, forest edges, farmland and suburban areas; nests in cavities at or near ground level. |
| Range | Eastern and central North America: from southern Canada (Ontario to the Maritimes) through the eastern United States to the Great Plains. Also reared commercially for greenhouse pollination in North America. | Widespread across much of the United States and southern Canada, most common in the East and Midwest. |
| Active | Spring through fall (roughly April to October depending on latitude); diurnal (active during daylight). | Spring through early fall (varies by region); day-active during warm daylight hours. |
| Pest? | No | No |
🔍How to spot a common eastern bumble bee
- Yellow thorax and yellow first abdominal segment; the rest of the abdomen is black (no white tail).
- Large, robust, hairy body typical of bumble bees; queens noticeably larger than workers.
- Flight is relatively slow and bumbling compared with smaller bees; often visits open-faced and tubular flowers.
🔍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
?Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a common eastern bumble bee and a brown-belted bumble bee?
Has a brownish band on the second abdominal segment and short, even hair; males have large eyes. B. impatiens has yellow only on the first abdominal segment, with the rest of the abdomen black, and no brown band.
Is a common eastern bumble bee or a brown-belted bumble bee more dangerous?
Common eastern bumble bee: Can sting. Brown-belted bumble bee: Can sting. Workers and queens can sting and may do so if handled, stepped on, or if their nest is disturbed. Bumble bees can sting and will do so if handled, squeezed, or if defending the nest.
Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.