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bumble bee with rust colored band on its back end #929460

Asked April 24, 2026, 9:41 AM EDT

I found a bumble like this in my garden. All I'm finding online shows them on the west coast. Should I let it go back in my garden or do something else with it?

Wexford County Michigan

Expert Response

Thanks for your interest in bumble bees! I recommend letting the bumble bee go. If you can take a photo of it, you can reply with the photo for us to see.

Here's a bumble bee guide from the University of Minnesota. Note that there are some bumble bee species that have brown or orange bands on their thoraces.

Most of the bumble bees I'm seeing at this time of year are queen bumble bees. Only queen bumbles bees survive the winter. In the spring, the queen builds a nest and begins to lay eggs that develop into workers and drones. The rusty patched bumble bee queen does not have a rusty patch.

I'm not aware of any findings of live rusty patched bumble bees (Bombus affinis) in the past couple of decades. 

Thanks for reaching out!


Ana HeckApiculture Extension EducatorMichigan State University Extension Replied April 24, 2026, 2:49 PM EDT

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