Bumble Bee Species of Concern Spotted at CCNC

Scott Peyton with Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is conducting statewide surveys for three species of bumble bees, the American Bumble Bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee (B. variabilis), and Southern Plains Bumble Bee (B. fraternus). These species have been declining across their range, and Scott is looking for new areas to survey for these species. On 1 September 2022, Scott Peyton and Katelin Cross surveyed the Clinton Community Nature Center gardens. In the front gardens by the gate, they found the Common Eastern Bumble Bee (B. impatiens) along with several carpenter bees. While surveying the Bill Stark Butterfly Garden, they found one American Bumble Bee on a partridge pea. A follow-up survey is necessary to potentially observe more diversity. Photographed here is an American Bumble Bee on Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum), a native plant to Mississippi. For more information on how you can help save our native bees, please attend our Fall Native Plant Sale on November 12th from 8am - 1pm.