Thank you to everyone who participated in the third year of the Missouri Bumble Bee Atlas! We continue to make impressive strides towards understanding the state's native bumble bees and how we can best support them. As you'll see in the graphics that follow, nearly 4,000 bumble bees have been observed on 112 different plants, and 450+ habitat surveys have been conducted! Whether this was your first time participating or you're a seasoned veteran, we cannot thank you enough for the time you have contributed towards the Atlas.
Survey EffortBetween June and September 2022, 189 surveys were conducted by at least 89 people. Adding that to the project total, at least 108 people have conducted 484 surveys, and additional 86 people have submitted incidental bumble bee observations leading us to 3,931 bumble bee observations!
Last season we did a particularly good job surveying northern Missouri, which is fantastic because prior to 2022 there were relatively few surveys in that region. |
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Effort by Grid Cell
Over the last three survey seasons, Atlas participants have covered a lot of ground. The maps below display bumble bee observations by grid cell (blue) and survey effort by grid cell (brown). The darker the color in each cell, the more bumble bee observations or surveys there are in a given grid cell. Cells that are hatched indicate nobody has recorded a bumble bee or conducted a survey in that grid cell.
Often times with community science projects, most observations are made in or near large cities and that pattern is present here: most surveys and bee observations are from St. Louis, KC, or Columbia. One goal of the Atlas is to survey those hard-to-reach areas, like northern and southern Missouri, in addition to populated areas, to gather a comprehensive understanding of bumble bees statewide.
Often times with community science projects, most observations are made in or near large cities and that pattern is present here: most surveys and bee observations are from St. Louis, KC, or Columbia. One goal of the Atlas is to survey those hard-to-reach areas, like northern and southern Missouri, in addition to populated areas, to gather a comprehensive understanding of bumble bees statewide.
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Bumble Bee Observations
This season alone 1,542 observations were shared to Bumble Bee Watch, representing 8 species. The project total now sits at 3,931 bumble bee observations—we were so close to breaking 4,000!
Of the 3,931 observations, experts were able to verify 3,745 of them. By "verify," we mean experts were able to assign a species-level identification to 95% of observations thanks to the high-quality, in-focus photographs associated with each observation—Great job taking photos in the field! The remaining 5% of observations have been assigned a tentative species classification or have been classified as "Bumble bee (Bombus sp.)."
The graph and table below break down species observations by year, listed in order from most- to least-observed. In 2020 and 2021, the most commonly observed species was the Common eastern bumble bee, but in 2022 a new leader emerged: the Brown-belted bumble bee. An additional outcome of 2022, despite having observed ~200 less bumble bees than in 2021, we recorded the highest amounts of Two-spotted, American, and Black-and-Gold bumble bees.
Explore the observations on Bumble Bee Watch: Photo Gallery, Map, or List.
If you still have data to submit, even if you observed 0 bees, it's not too late: Submit Data
Of the 3,931 observations, experts were able to verify 3,745 of them. By "verify," we mean experts were able to assign a species-level identification to 95% of observations thanks to the high-quality, in-focus photographs associated with each observation—Great job taking photos in the field! The remaining 5% of observations have been assigned a tentative species classification or have been classified as "Bumble bee (Bombus sp.)."
The graph and table below break down species observations by year, listed in order from most- to least-observed. In 2020 and 2021, the most commonly observed species was the Common eastern bumble bee, but in 2022 a new leader emerged: the Brown-belted bumble bee. An additional outcome of 2022, despite having observed ~200 less bumble bees than in 2021, we recorded the highest amounts of Two-spotted, American, and Black-and-Gold bumble bees.
Explore the observations on Bumble Bee Watch: Photo Gallery, Map, or List.
If you still have data to submit, even if you observed 0 bees, it's not too late: Submit Data
Southern Plains Bumble Bee
Bombus fraternus
Bombus fraternus
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The Southern Plains bumble bee is a large, distinctive bee scattered throughout Missouri's grasslands. This species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened and Endangered Species, meaning it is at-risk of facing extinction.
Thanks to your effort, the Southern Plains bumble bee has been observed 67 times by 24 people over the last three seasons. These observations assist Missouri's Department of Conservation in figuring out which species need our help, and extend beyond state borders to assist the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in determining which species should be protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. It is certainly no easy task to prioritize species that are in need of protection nor design plans to help those species recover, but the data we are gathering through the Atlas is helping to inform those decisions. Of the 67 observations, 15 are new county records, meaning an Atlas participant observed this species for the first time ever in the following counties: 2020: Adair, Benton, Jackson, Johnson, and Platte counties. 2021: Boone, Cass, Chariton, Dekalb, and Henry counties. 2022: Caldwell, Grundy, Livingston, Carroll, and Saline counties. 2023: Maybe you will get the next county record! |
Keep an eye out for the Southern Plains bumble bee in 2023! During the Atlas, it has been observed on partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata), native thistles (Cirsium sp.), prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), sunflower (Helianthus sp.), milkweed (Asclepias sp.), and blazing star (Liatris sp.) among others. Learn to recognize the Southern Plains bumble bee by viewing photographs on Bumble Bee Watch.
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Flowering Plant Observations
Atlas participants observed bumble bees on 112 plant genera while surveying this summer! If we include incidental bumble bee observations, i.e. passive observations, the number increases to 158 plant genera! Expanding our knowledge of the plants bumble bee utilize across time (e.g. June versus August), and space (e.g. northern versus southern MO), allows natural resource professionals, conservationists, and land stewards to make more-informed decisions when designing restorations intended to support pollinators. It is vital that bumble bees have access to a diversity of pollen and nectar sources from early spring through late fall, and by participating in the Atlas you are helping develop the database of plants that support bumble bees!
The graph below displays all plant genera that were recorded on at least 10 surveys (conducted on different days), which came out to 13 genera, and represent 67% of bumble bee observations. The blue bars represent the number of times a bumble bee was observed visiting each of the plant genera and the orange dots represent the number of bumble bee species observed visiting each of the plant genera. The plants are ordered by the number of surveys they were recorded on, in essence, Trifolium (clover) is listed first because it was recorded on the most surveys (24 surveys), Monarda (Bee Balm) second because it was recorded on 41 surveys, and Cirsium (Thistle) third being recorded on 40 surveys.
The graph below displays all plant genera that were recorded on at least 10 surveys (conducted on different days), which came out to 13 genera, and represent 67% of bumble bee observations. The blue bars represent the number of times a bumble bee was observed visiting each of the plant genera and the orange dots represent the number of bumble bee species observed visiting each of the plant genera. The plants are ordered by the number of surveys they were recorded on, in essence, Trifolium (clover) is listed first because it was recorded on the most surveys (24 surveys), Monarda (Bee Balm) second because it was recorded on 41 surveys, and Cirsium (Thistle) third being recorded on 40 surveys.
Habitat Associations
While bumble bees are considered "generalist" species when it comes to habitat—they are found in wetlands, grasslands, mountains, forests, etc.—certain species exhibit close relationships with a particular type of habitat. For example, we tend to associate the Southern Plains bumble bee with grasslands and the Half-black bumble bee with forested areas, though these species can be found outside of those habitats as well. When we look at Missouri's habitat, the state is divided into four ecoregions (shown on maps below): (1) Central Dissected Till Plains in the north half of the state, (2) Osage Plains along the western border, (3) Ozark Highlands in the south half of the state, and (4) Mississippi Alluvial Basin in the bootheel.
Examine the maps below and look for patterns. Do each of the species stick more to one or two particular ecoregions or are they widespread throughout the state? For those of you wanting to add species to your bumble bee "Life List," you might try conducting a survey in a different habitat type next season!
Examine the maps below and look for patterns. Do each of the species stick more to one or two particular ecoregions or are they widespread throughout the state? For those of you wanting to add species to your bumble bee "Life List," you might try conducting a survey in a different habitat type next season!
Photography Highlights
In 2022, we added photo grids to the data sheet that allow us to get a sense of scale for each bee you observe. We were happy to see so many folks utilize the grids in the field! The six photos we've selected below are properly lit, in-focus, and taken at a great angle for experts to assess identifying features. Click each photo to see the full submission on Bumble Bee Watch and notice the variety of angles submitted for each bee—The more angles of a bee, the easier it is for us to identify.
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Black-and-gold Bumble Bee (male)
Bombus auricomus Bumble Bee Watch / J. Neely 
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American Bumble Bee (female)
Bombus pensylvanicus Bumble Bee Watch / J. Raos 
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Brown-belted Bumble Bee (male)
Bombus griseocollis Bumble Bee Watch / K. Swee 
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Brown-belted Bumble Bee (female)
Bombus griseocollis Bumble Bee Watch / J. Ladner 
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Common Eastern Bumble Bee (female)
Bombus impatiens Bumble Bee Watch / J. Frederick 
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Two-spotted Bumble Bee (male)
Bombus bimaculatus Bumble Bee Watch / C. Lichte 
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Field Trainings
In 2022, Xerces Society, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, University of Missouri (College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources), and Missouri Quail Forever coordinated a series of training events across the state. It was wonderful to meet so many people eager to participate and ready to learn about bumble bees! We had our first ever in-person workshop in June at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in KC, and held field days throughout summer at Springfield Conservation Nature Center, Missouri Prairie Foundation's Carver Prairie, Columbia Audubon Nature Sanctuary, and Cuivre River State Park.
We are planning to hold more trainings in the summer of 2023, stay tuned to the events page or the Atlas' Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook group to be notified of newly scheduled events.
We are planning to hold more trainings in the summer of 2023, stay tuned to the events page or the Atlas' Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook group to be notified of newly scheduled events.
What's next for the 2023 survey season?
Having gathered substantial data on Missouri's bumble bees, it is time for us to shift gears. Our new focus for the next three years will be to survey for (1) Missouri's Species of Greatest Conservation Need and (2) species that have been petitioned to gain federal protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This suite of target species includes the American, Half-black, Southern Plains, Yellow bumble bees.
In Spring 2023, Xerces Society will release a new grid map that includes High Potential Zones (HPZs) and it is likely we will clear the adoption map to start fresh. HPZs will be smaller polygons within the existing grid cells and serve as our priority areas for 2023-2025. These polygons will be generated using historic locations of our target species, taking into account suitable bumble bee habitat of the surrounding area. More details to come as we develop this targeted approach.
Please stay tuned for the new grid map release and additional instruction for the upcoming season set to start June 1, 2023. Announcements will be made via email (join the email list) the Facebook group (groups/mobumblebees). Please reach out with any questions or comments: mobumblebees@xerces.org.
In Spring 2023, Xerces Society will release a new grid map that includes High Potential Zones (HPZs) and it is likely we will clear the adoption map to start fresh. HPZs will be smaller polygons within the existing grid cells and serve as our priority areas for 2023-2025. These polygons will be generated using historic locations of our target species, taking into account suitable bumble bee habitat of the surrounding area. More details to come as we develop this targeted approach.
Please stay tuned for the new grid map release and additional instruction for the upcoming season set to start June 1, 2023. Announcements will be made via email (join the email list) the Facebook group (groups/mobumblebees). Please reach out with any questions or comments: mobumblebees@xerces.org.