Rusty Patched Bumble Bee

Once common throughout much of the east, the rusty patched bumble bee has been lost from most of its range and is now listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Of 371 verified Bumble Bee Watch records of this at-risk bumble bee, over 50 percent have been recorded visiting beebalm (Monarda spp.), giant hyssop (Agastache spp.), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and joe-pye weed (Eutrochium spp.). Of course, we can’t promise that these plants will be successful in attracting rusty-patched bumble bees to your property, but even if they do not show up, many other pollinators (including monarchs and other bumble bees) will benefit from this rich nectar source (Xerces.org).