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Bombus occidentalis

Common names: bumble bee, bumble-bee, bumblebee, western bumblebee, nectar-robbing bumble bee, bumble bees

Taxonomy: Animalia > Arthropoda > Insecta > Hymenoptera > Apidae

Regional status: native

Roles: study subject, nectar-robber, nectar robber, primary nectar robber, pollinator

ITIS TSN: 714827

Synonyms: B. occidentalis, OCC

External: RMBL Collections · iNaturalist · iDigBio · GenBank

Papers: 84 | Mentions: 97

Local Knowledge Graph (Top 73 entities)

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Publications (92)

student_paper

The Popular Patch: Co-foraging behavior of Bombus spp. in a subalpine meadow

2026Role: study subject / pollinator (oc

student_paper

Understanding Impact of Bombus spp. Intraspeciﬁc Body Mass Variation on Foraging Behavior on Delphinium barbeyi

2026Role: pollinator (observed but not s

article

Herbivory and water availability interact to shape the adaptive landscape in the perennial forb, Boechera stricta

2025EvolutionRole: text_match

article

Nutrient niche dynamics among wild pollinators

2025Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological SciencesRole: study subject

student_paper

Observing the effects of a nectar-inhabiting bacterium, Pantoea sp., and nectar robbing on male fitness in Ipomopsis aggregata

2025Role: nectar robber

student_paper

Investigating the potential mechanism behind bumble bee preference for Corydalis flowers inhabited by nectar specialist yeast

2024Role: text_match

student_paper

Nowhere to go but Up: Investigating Bumble Bee population Shifts over Elevational Gradients

2024Role: study subject

article

The hole truth: why do bumble bees rob flowers more than once?

Co-occurring Species

2024PlantsRole: nectar-robber

article

Recent and future declines of a historically widespread pollinator linked to climate, land cover, and pesticides

2023Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesRole: text_match

student_paper

Determining changes in floral volatile composition of Ipomopsis aggregata in response to nectar robbing and its associated microorganisms

2022Role: nectar robber

article

Ecological Drivers and Consequences of Bumble Bee Body Size Variation

2022Environmental Entomology Role: text_match

student_paper

Nest Distribution of Bombus spp. Across Different Habitat Types

2022Role: study subject

article

The shifting importance of abiotic and biotic factors across the life cycles of wild pollinators

2022Journal of Animal EcologyRole: study subject

student_paper

Effects of climate change on the elevational distribution of bumble bees near Crested Butte, CO: comparing data across 47 years

2021Role: study subject

student_paper

Effects of nectar robbing on the volatile organic compounds and nectar chemistry of intraindividual flowers in Corydalis caseana ssp. brandegeei

2021Role: nectar robber

article

Bumble bees are constant to nectar-robbing behaviour despite low switching costs

2020Animal BehaviourRole: text_match

student_paper

Climate Change and Parasitism: An Investigation into Parasitic Bees' Climate Responses as Compared to their Hosts

2020Role: host (excluded from final anal

article

Competition for nectar resources does not affect bee foraging tactic constancy

2020Ecological EntomologyRole: study subject

article

Temporal flexibility in the structure of plant–pollinator interaction networks

2020OikosRole: text_match

thesis

Floral reward strategies, visitor behavior, and plant reproductive outcomes

2019Role: text_match

student_paper

Low to Mid Elevational Resurvey of Bumble bee Distributions in Response to Climate Change

2019Role: study subject

student_paper

Across Caste Variation of Proboscis Length and Within Caste Phenotype Matching of Subalpine Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.)

2018Role: study subject

article

Why are some plant-nectar robber interactions commensalisms?

2018OikosRole: nectar robber

student_paper

Consequences of Nectar Robbing in Colorado Wildflowers: Insect Variation and Nectar Sugar Concentration

2017Role: nectar robber

article

Facilitated exploitation of pollination mutualisms: fitness consequences for plants

2017Journal of EcologyRole: primary nectar robber

article

Foraging strategy predicts foraging economy in a facultative secondary nectar robber

2017OikosRole: primary nectar robber

other

Pollinator traits and competitive context shape dynamic foraging behavior in bee communities

2017bioRxivRole: study subject

article

Delving deeper: Questioning the decline of long-tongued bumble bees, long-tubed flowers and their mutualisms with climate change

2016Journal of Pollination EcologyRole: study subject

article

Effects of climate change on phenologies and distributions of bumble bees and the plants they visit

2016EcosphereRole: study subject

student_paper

The effects of primary and secondary nectar robbing of Ipomopsis aggregata on hummingbird visitation.

2015Role: nectar robber

student_paper

Why doesn't nectar robbing decrease seed set in some bee-pollinated plants?

2015Role: nectar robber (referenced from

student_paper

Why doesn't nectar robbing decrease seed set in some bee-pollinated plants?

2015Role: text_match

student_paper

The Impact of Primary and Secondary Robbing on Hummingbird Pollination.

2014Role: nectar robber

student_paper

Comparing Bombus pollinator efficacies in Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae) reproductive success

2013Role: pollinator

article

Dose-dependent effects of nectar alkaloids in a montane plant-pollinator community

2013Journal of EcologyRole: pollinator

student_paper

Investigating the impact of pollinator- and seed predator-mediated selection on floral traits in an Ipomopsis aggregata and I. tenuituba (Polemoniaceae) hybrid zone

2012Role: pollinator

article

Local geographic distributions of bumble bees near Crested Butte, Colorado: Competition and community structure revisited

2012Environmental EntomologyRole: study subject / nectar robber

article

Local geographic distributions of bumble bees near Crested Butte, Colorado: Competition and community structure revisited

2012Environmental EntomologyRole: text_match

article

When resources don't rescue: flowering phenology and species interactions affect compensation to herbivory in Ipomopsis aggregata

2012OikosRole: nectar robber

article

Activity and abundance of bumble bees near Crested Butte, CO: diel, seasonal, and elevation effects

2011Ecological EntomologyRole: study subject

article

Additive effects of herbivory, nectar robbing and seed predation on male and female fitness components of the host plant Ipomopsis aggregata

2011OecologiaRole: nectar robber

student_paper

The effects of phenology on Delphinium nuttallianum

2011Role: nectar robber

student_paper

Effects of nectar robbing on pollen deposition and hummingbird-pollinator behavior in Ipomopsis aggregata

2009Role: nectar robber

article

Realized tolerance to nectar robbing: compensation to floral enemies in Ipomopsis aggregata

2009Annals of BotanyRole: nectar robber

student_paper

Climate Change is Causing A Decline in Bombus occidentalis by Reducing its Floral Resources

2008Role: study subject

article

Interactions between nectar robbers and seed predators mediated by a shared host plant, Ipomopsis aggregata

2008OecologiaRole: nectar robber

article

Mechanisms of tolerance to floral larceny in two animal-pollinated wildflowers, Polemonium viscosum and Ipomopsis aggregata

2008EcologyRole: pollinator

thesis

Reciprocal benefits in a plant-pollinator mutualism

2008Role: text_match

student_paper

Changing distributions, changing climate: Using Bombus as an indicator of global warming near Crested Butte, Colorado

2007Role: study subject

article

Predicting the effects of nectar robbing on plant reproduction: implications of pollen limitation and plant mating system

2007American Journal of BotanyRole: nectar robber

thesis

Floral larceny: Implications, resistance, and the potential for tolerance

2006Role: text_match

thesis

Floral larceny: Implications, resistance, and the potential for tolerance

2006Role: pollinator

student_paper

Nectar robbing patterns in Ipomopsis aggregata and Linaria vulgaris

2006Role: nectar robber

article

Effects of nectar robbing on nectar dynamics and bumblebee foraging strategies in Linaria vulgaris

2005OikosRole: pollinator

article

Interactions among nectar robbing, floral herbivory, and ant protection in Linaria vulgaris

2005OikosRole: text_match

student_paper

Nectar robbing in Ipomopsis aggregata: does high nectar production confer tolerance?

2005Role: nectar robber

article

Temporal and spatial variation in pollination of a montane herb: a seven-year study

2005EcologyRole: nectar robber

chapter

Adaptive speciation

2004Role: text_match

article

Temperature regulation in burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.: Coleoptera: Silphidae): effects of body size, morphology and environmental temperature

2004The Journal of Experimental BiologyRole: text_match

article

The dual role of floral traits: pollinator attraction and plant defense

2004EcologyRole: nectar robber

thesis

The ecology of pollination and nectar robbing in Linaria vulgaris in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

2004TSpaceRole: pollinator

thesis

The ecology of pollination and nectar robbing in Linaria vulgaris in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

2004TSpaceRole: text_match

article

Impact of nectar robbing on estimates of pollen flow: conceptual predictions and emperical outcomes

2003EcologyRole: nectar robber

article

Rescue of stranded pollen grains by secondary transfer

2003Plant Species BiologyRole: text_match

student_paper

The effects of ungulate herbivory and nutrient variation on pollen reciept in Ipomopsis aggregata

2002Role: nectar robber

article

Variation in nectar robbing over time, space, and species

2002OecologiaRole: nectar robber

article

Volatile production by the buds and corollas of two sympatric, confamial plants, Ipomopsis aggregata and Polemonium foliosissimum

2002Journal of Chemical EcologyRole: pollinator

article

The effects of a bumble bee nectar robber on plant reproductive success and pollinator behavior

2001American Journal of BotanyRole: nectar robber

article

The effects of a bumble bee nectar robber on plant reproductive success and pollinator behavior

2001American Journal of BotanyRole: text_match

article

The impact of floral larceny on individuals, populations, and communities

2001OecologiaRole: pollinator

article

Are nectar robbers cheaters or mutualists?

2000EcologyRole: nectar robber

article

Consequences of nectar robbing for realized male function in a hummingbird-pollinated plant

2000EcologyRole: nectar robber

article

Reproductive biology of a North American subalpine plant: Corydalis caseana A. Gray ssp. brandegei (S. Watson) G. B. Ownbey

2000Plant Species BiologyRole: text_match

article

Effects of Local Density on Pollination and Reproduction in Delphinium nuttallianum and Aconitum columbianum (Ranunculaceae)

1999American Journal of BotanyRole: pollinator

article

NECTAR-ROBBING BUMBLE BEES REDUCE THE FITNESS OFIPOMOPSIS AGGREGATA(POLEMONIACEAE)

1999EcologyRole: text_match

article

Nectar-robbing bumble bees reduce the fitness of Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae)

1999EcologyRole: text_match

article

Nectar Robbing in Ipomopsis aggregata: Effects on Pollinator Behavior and Plant Fitness

1998OecologiaRole: nectar robber

article

Evolutionary options for maximizing pollen dispersal of animal-pollinated plants

1989American NaturalistRole: text_match

article

Evolutionary options for maximizing pollen dispersal of animal-pollinated plants

1989American NaturalistRole: pollinator

article

Pollen transport and deposition by bumble bees in Erythronium: influences of floral nectar and bee grooming

1986Journal of EcologyRole: text_match

article

Pollen transport and deposition by bumble bees in Erythronium: influences of floral nectar and bee grooming

1986Journal of EcologyRole: pollinator

article

Floral morphology and cross-pollination in Erythronium grandiflorum (Liliaceae)

1985American Journal of BotanyRole: text_match

article

Floral morphology and cross-pollination in Erythronium grandiflorum (Liliaceae)

1985American Journal of BotanyRole: pollinator

article

Nectar production patterns in Ipomopsis aggregata (Polemoniaceae)

1983American Journal of BotanyRole: nectar robber

article

Local geographic distributions of bumblebees near Crested Butte, Colorado: competition and community structure

1982EcologyRole: study subject

article

Bumblebee response to variation in nectar availability

1981EcologyRole: competitor

article

Spatial and temporal components of resource assessment by flower-feeding insects

1981Journal of Animal EcologyRole: pollinator

article

Competition for bumblebee pollinators in Rocky Mountain plant communities

1980EcologyRole: pollinator

article

Skewed flowering distributions and pollinator attraction

1980EcologyRole: pollinator

article

Competition for hummingbird pollination and sequential flowering in two Colorado wildflowers

1978EcologyRole: nectar robber

article

Resource partitioning in bumblebees: experimental studies of foraging behavior

1978EcologyRole: nectar robber (bites holes in

article

The pollination ecology of Aquilegia elegantula and A. caerulea (Ranunculaceae) in Colorado

1978American Journal of BotanyRole: text_match

Bombus occidentalis

Local Knowledge Graph (Top 73 entities)

Publications (92)

The Popular Patch: Co-foraging behavior of Bombus spp. in a subalpine meadow

Understanding Impact of Bombus spp. Intraspeciﬁc Body Mass Variation on Foraging Behavior on Delphinium barbeyi

Herbivory and water availability interact to shape the adaptive landscape in the perennial forb, Boechera stricta

Nutrient niche dynamics among wild pollinators

Observing the effects of a nectar-inhabiting bacterium, Pantoea sp., and nectar robbing on male fitness in Ipomopsis aggregata

Investigating the potential mechanism behind bumble bee preference for Corydalis flowers inhabited by nectar specialist yeast

Nowhere to go but Up: Investigating Bumble Bee population Shifts over Elevational Gradients

The hole truth: why do bumble bees rob flowers more than once?

Co-occurring Species

Bombus

Ipomopsis aggregata

Bombus appositus

Bombus bifarius

Bombus flavifrons

Polemoniaceae

Selasphorus platycercus

Hymenoptera

Delphinium

Apis mellifera

Recent and future declines of a historically widespread pollinator linked to climate, land cover, and pesticides

Determining changes in floral volatile composition of <i> Ipomopsis aggregata </i> in response to nectar robbing and its associated microorganisms

Ecological Drivers and Consequences of Bumble Bee Body Size Variation

Nest Distribution of <i> Bombus </i> spp. Across Different Habitat Types

The shifting importance of abiotic and biotic factors across the life cycles of wild pollinators

Effects of climate change on the elevational distribution of bumble bees near Crested Butte, CO: comparing data across 47 years

Effects of nectar robbing on the volatile organic compounds and nectar chemistry of intraindividual flowers in <i> Corydalis caseana </i> ssp. <i> brandegeei </i>

Bumble bees are constant to nectar-robbing behaviour despite low switching costs

Climate Change and Parasitism: An Investigation into Parasitic Bees' Climate Responses as Compared to their Hosts

Competition for nectar resources does not affect bee foraging tactic constancy

Temporal flexibility in the structure of plant–pollinator interaction networks

Floral reward strategies, visitor behavior, and plant reproductive outcomes

Low to Mid Elevational Resurvey of Bumble bee Distributions in Response to Climate Change

Across Caste Variation of Proboscis Length and Within Caste Phenotype Matching of Subalpine Bumble Bees (<i>Bombus spp.</i>)

Why are some plant-nectar robber interactions commensalisms?

Consequences of Nectar Robbing in Colorado Wildflowers: Insect Variation and Nectar Sugar Concentration

Facilitated exploitation of pollination mutualisms: fitness consequences for plants

Foraging strategy predicts foraging economy in a facultative secondary nectar robber

Pollinator traits and competitive context shape dynamic foraging behavior in bee communities

Delving deeper: Questioning the decline of long-tongued bumble bees, long-tubed flowers and their mutualisms with climate change

Effects of climate change on phenologies and distributions of bumble bees and the plants they visit

The effects of primary and secondary nectar robbing of Ipomopsis aggregata on hummingbird visitation.

Why doesn't nectar robbing decrease seed set in some bee-pollinated plants?

Why doesn't nectar robbing decrease seed set in some bee-pollinated plants?

The Impact of Primary and Secondary Robbing on Hummingbird Pollination.

Comparing <i>Bombus</i> pollinator efficacies in <i>Delphinium barbeyi</i> (Ranunculaceae) reproductive success

Dose-dependent effects of nectar alkaloids in a montane plant-pollinator community

Investigating the impact of pollinator- and seed predator-mediated selection on floral traits in an <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i> and <i>I. tenuituba</i> (Polemoniaceae) hybrid zone

Local geographic distributions of bumble bees near Crested Butte, Colorado: Competition and community structure revisited

Local geographic distributions of bumble bees near Crested Butte, Colorado: Competition and community structure revisited

When resources don't rescue: flowering phenology and species interactions affect compensation to herbivory in <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Activity and abundance of bumble bees near Crested Butte, CO: diel, seasonal, and elevation effects

Additive effects of herbivory, nectar robbing and seed predation on male and female fitness components of the host plant <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

The effects of phenology on <i>Delphinium nuttallianum</i>

Effects of nectar robbing on pollen deposition and hummingbird-pollinator behavior in <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Realized tolerance to nectar robbing: compensation to floral enemies in <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Climate Change is Causing A Decline in Bombus occidentalis by Reducing its Floral Resources

Interactions between nectar robbers and seed predators mediated by a shared host plant, <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Mechanisms of tolerance to floral larceny in two animal-pollinated wildflowers, <i>Polemonium viscosum</i> and <i>Ipomopsis aggregata</i>

Reciprocal benefits in a plant-pollinator mutualism

Changing distributions, changing climate: Using <i>Bombus</i> as an indicator of global warming near Crested Butte, Colorado

Predicting the effects of nectar robbing on plant reproduction: implications of pollen limitation and plant mating system

Floral larceny: Implications, resistance, and the potential for tolerance

Floral larceny: Implications, resistance, and the potential for tolerance

Nectar robbing patterns in Ipomopsis aggregata and Linaria vulgaris

Effects of nectar robbing on nectar dynamics and bumblebee foraging strategies in Linaria vulgaris

Interactions among nectar robbing, floral herbivory, and ant protection in <i>Linaria vulgaris</i>

Nectar robbing in Ipomopsis aggregata: does high nectar production confer tolerance?

Temporal and spatial variation in pollination of a montane herb: a seven-year study

Adaptive speciation

Temperature regulation in burying beetles (<i>Nicrophorus</i> spp.: Coleoptera: Silphidae): effects of body size, morphology and environmental temperature

The dual role of floral traits: pollinator attraction and plant defense

The ecology of pollination and nectar robbing in Linaria vulgaris in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

The ecology of pollination and nectar robbing in Linaria vulgaris in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Impact of nectar robbing on estimates of pollen flow: conceptual predictions and emperical outcomes

Rescue of stranded pollen grains by secondary transfer

The effects of ungulate herbivory and nutrient variation on pollen reciept in Ipomopsis aggregata

Variation in nectar robbing over time, space, and species