Ptilothrix bombiformis color morphs

[Sally Lent]

All,

Hi folks! My name is Sally Lent. I'm a contractor working with FWS, co-located at the USGS Bee Lab. I have some Ptilothrix bombiformis specimens that were collected at the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana this past June. Out of the roughly 100 male P. bombiformis collected, 6 of these males have additional yellow hairs on their abdomens (photos attached of three of these specimens). We've combed through various keys and publications, but haven't found any mentions of color variations in P. bombiformis. 

I was wondering if other people had encountered these color variations before, and if you had any insights or theories to offer. We've had a lot of P. bombiformis come through the lab, but it's the first we've seen yellow on the abdomens like that before.

I appreciate any and all comments!

Best,

---

Sally Lent

(Pronouns: she/her/ella)

Bee Biologist (ACE Contractor)

Co-located at the USGS Bee Lab 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

I respectfully acknowledge that I live on the occupied homeland of the Piscataway and Susquehannock people.

[Henry Steig]

Hi Sally,

These color variations are rare but not unheard of. There is at least one observation on iNat similar to what you describe: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/122187330. Other aberrations like integumental color variation and loss of wing pigmentation is common in Xylocopa and Bombus, but I've also occasionally seen it in Ptilothrix and Diadasia. I am not sure what causes these aberrants. You may be interested in this iNat project: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/aberrant-bee-color-patterns.

Best,

Henry