Bumble bees of North America : an identification guide / Paul H. Williams, Robbin W. Thorp, Leif L. Richardson & Sheila R. Colla.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Williams, Paul H.

Thorp, Robbin W., 1933- author.

Richardson, Leif, author.

Colla, Sheila, author.

Contributor:

Credo Reference (Firm), distributor.

Series:

Princeton Field Guides

Princeton Field Guides ; 87

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bumblebees.

Bumblebees--United States--Identification.

Bumblebees--Canada--Identification.

Bumblebees--United States--Geographical distribution.

Bumblebees--Canada--Geographical distribution.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (208 pages) : color illustrations, maps

Edition:

Course Book

Place of Publication:

Princeton : Princeton University Press, [2014]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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yet to the 46 recognized bumble bee species in North America north of MexicoUp-to-date taxonomy includes previously unpublished results Detailed distribution maps Extensive keys identify the many color patterns of species

Contents:

Frontmatter

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

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Includes index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781785396014

1785396013

9781400851188

1400851181