Bombus natvigi

Bombus natvigi
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Apidae
Genus:	Bombus
Species:	B. natvigi
Binomial name
Bombus natvigi Richards, 1931

Bombus natvigi (also referred to as the high arctic bumble bee ^[1] ) is a species of cuckoo bumblebee found in northern Canada and Alaska ^[2] . They were originally considered a synonym of Bombus hyperboreus but were recognised as a valid species in 2015. These bumblebees can be identified by their plain black heads, yellow and black banded thorax and abdomen consisting of two yellow segments of the metasoma follow by four black segments ^[2] . They are brood parasites of Bombus polaris , with females using pheromones to invade colonies and alter worker bee behaviour to make them tend to her and their broods ^[1] . Bombus natvigi is currently listed as "data deficient" by the IUCN Red List ^[3] .

References

1. IUCN (2016-01-15). Bombus natvigi: Hatfield, R., Jepsen, S., Thorp, R., Richardson, L., Colla, S. & Foltz Jordan, S.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T88089236A88291971 (Report). International Union for Conservation of Nature. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2016-1.rlts.t88089236a88291971.en.
2. Sikes, Derek S. (2020). "Update to the identification guide to female Alaskan bumble bees and a summary of recent changes to the Alaskan bumble bee fauna". Newsletter of the Alaska Entomological Society. 13 (1): 31–38. doi:10.7299/X7GH9J8D.
3. "High Arctic Bumble Bee". IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. 15 Jan 2016. Retrieved 2 Dec 2025.