How does the coloration of B. fernaldii males typically compare to that of the queens?
Answer
Males often exhibit more pronounced yellow coloration than the queens
While the queen's appearance often trends toward paler yellow hair, especially on the pileum and thorax, the males of *B. fernaldii* frequently display even more intense or pronounced yellow coloration than the queens do. This contrasts with the workers, who tend to strongly resemble the workers of the specific host species they invade, often leading to identification challenges for observers focusing on general color patterns rather than leg structure.
Related Questions
What is the scientifically designated name for the Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee?What specialized structure do female B. fernaldii lack that pollen-collecting bees possess?Which sex of B. fernaldii undertakes the risky business of nest invasion?What chemical agents are released by the invading queen to suppress host workers?Which species is frequently cited as a major host for Bombus fernaldii in the northeastern United States?How does the coloration of B. fernaldii males typically compare to that of the queens?What conservation designation does the Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee hold in New York State?According to field observation tips, what observation indicates a bee is likely a male or a female cuckoo?What tools does the invading B. fernaldii queen primarily use to physically overcome the resident host queen?Outside of the host nest, how does the queen's existence resemble the behavior of other bees?Which US state is mentioned as a location where B. fernaldii populations have been documented in the western part of its range?