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New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

The New Mexico Rare Arthropod Resource

 
Bombus morrisoni (Morrison Bumble Bee)  


Taxonomy

  • Class: INSECTA
  • Order: HYMENOPTERA
  • Family: APIDAE
  • Genus: Bombus
  • Scientific Name: Bombus morrisoni Cresson, 1878
  • Common Name: Morrison Bumble Bee
  • Synonyms:

Taxonomic Name Source


Collin Haffey ()
Species Occurrence Data From: Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

Agency Conservation Status



  • SGCN
  • NMDGF:
  • USFWS:
  • BLM:
  • USFS:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • Nature Serve Global: G3
  • NHNM State: SNR
  • NM Endemic NO


Agency Conservation Status



SGCN NMDGF USFWS BLM Status USFS IUCN
Red List		 Nature Serve
Global		 NHNM State NM Endemic
Draft SGCN Vulnerable G3 SNR NO


Description

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Bombus morrisoni is a medium to large-sized bumblebee with even, short, bright, yellow hair. Its thorax is primarily yellow with some black markings, and the abdomen has alternating yellow and black bands (Ascher and Pickering 2023). It is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments, which distinguishes it from other North American bumblebee species. In New Mexico, it is often observed in dry, open areas where its preferred plants, including sagebrush and wildflowers, are found.

Habitat and Ecology

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In New Mexico, Bombus morrisoni typically inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, including desert scrub, sagebrush steppes, and high-altitude prairies. It is a generalist forager, visiting a wide range of flowering plants for nectar and pollen, including rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.), sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), and various species of cacti. The species nests primarily underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows, and is active during the warmer months of the year (Ascher and Pickering 2023, iNaturalist 2024). Example food plants include Asclepias, Astragalus, Chrysothamnus, Cirsium, Cleome, Ericameria, Helianthus, Melilotus, and Senecio. Males perch and chase moving objects in search of mates (Williams et al. 2014).

Geographic Range

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This species is found throughout the Mountain West, ranging from California to the east of the Sierra-Cascade Ranges and extending into southern British Columbia. It is also present in the Desert West, particularly in the highlands, and stretches as far east as New Mexico and Texas, reaching northward to western South Dakota (Williams et al. 2014). There are recorded occurrences in 21 different states (Chesshire et al. 2023). Sightings are concentrated in developed, evergreen open canopy, and mixed evergreen deciduous shrubland ecosystem types (Chesshire et al. 2023).

In New Mexico, it is primarily observed in the central and northern parts of the state, especially in desert and high desert areas, with over 1,300 occurrences reported (Chesshire et al. 2023).

Conservation Considerations

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In 2023, this species was petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act (Killingsworth et al. 2023). As of December 2024, the US Fish and Wildlife Service had not yet published a 90-day finding, suggesting whether the petition presented substantial scientific information indicating action may be warranted.

Threats

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Threats to the Morrison bumble bee include habitat degradation and fragmentation due to livestock grazing, wild fire and fire suppression regimes, urban development, agricultural intensification, and energy development and mining. Pathogen spill over from commercial bumble bee colonies, may also be driving declines in this species (Killingsworth et al. 2023).

et al. 2022). Drought can reduce the abundance of flowering plants on a landscape scale, and also reduce pollen and nectar quality (Wilson Rankin et al. 2020). Drought conditions have been shown to reduce the diversity and abundance of native bees (Hung et al. 2021, Minckley et al. 2013).

Population

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The population of Bombus morrisoni is declining across much of its range. Habitat destruction, combined with other pressures, has led to a reduction in population density in many areas, including New Mexico. Though comprehensive data is limited, observations suggest that populations may be fragmented within the state, particularly in regions where suitable habitats are shrinking (Hatfield 2014).

References

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