Tricolored Bumble Bee (Bombus Ternarius) - Insect Identification

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Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Tricolored Bumble Bee

 1/3 Image Credit: Joy C., taken at the Heritage Garden in Colorado Springs, CO 2/3 Image Credit: Lyn H., taken in UT 3/3 Image Credit: C. Wilson from CO

The Tricolored Bumble Bee goes by many common names, but its trio of colors always elicit the same reaction: curiosity.

Updated: 02/13/2026; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org While most bumble bees adhere to the typical yellow and black coloration, this particular species has a flourish of bright orange-red on the abdomen. The orange color is intense enough to be noticed by observers from a sizable distance. The abdominal color pattern is the same for each individual: one band of yellow, two orange-red, another yellow and then two bands of black. Another part of their body that may look orange are the pollen baskets on the hind legs, for these bumble bees collect it and make honey, just like the much smaller honeybee. The amount is not enough for commercial purposes, but it is enough for the bees. Pollen grains determine the color of the baskets, so they will change color depending on what type of flower the bumble bee is collecting from. Nests are made in the ground and are lined with honeypots. Workers collect pollen and bring their full pollen baskets back to the nest where the pollen is made into honey. Larvae are fed honey until they develop into adults. Adults drink nectar and may also eat some of the honey in seasons of nectar scarcity. Drones also exist in this species, providing mates for the queen. Only newly developed queens will survive the winter. In spring, a queen will lay her fertilized eggs and populate her own nest with more workers and drones. Buzzing Tricolored Bumble Bees can be found in gardens, parks, open fields, and meadows where they will forage for pollen. They are most active in the summer months.©InsectIdentification.org Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

General Characteristics

Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Species Breakdown Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae View More Genus: Bombus View More Species: ternarius

Identifying Information

Size, Colors, Features Scientific Name: Bombus ternarius Other Name(s): Orange-Belted Bumble Bee, Red-Tailed Bumble Bee, Tri-Coloured Bumble Bee Category: Bee, Ant, Wasp and Similar Size (Adult; Length): 9mm to 18mm (0.35" to 0.70") Colors: yellow; orange; black; red Descriptors: flying; hair; shiny; buzzing; fuzzy; stinging; multicolored

Relative Size Comparison

Typical Size Between 9mm (0.4in) and 18mm (0.7in) Lo: 9mm Md: 13.5mm Hi: 18mm

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

U.S., Canada, and Mexico Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland and Labrador Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Mexico

Territorial Map*

U.S., Canada, and Mexico Alaska Hawaii Prince Edward Is. * MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Tricolored Bumble Bee may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Tricolored Bumble Bee. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits. Site Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies | Sitemap Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org 2026 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2026 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content. ©2026 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2026 (20yrs)