Incidential bycatch of rusty-patched queen while flying low to the ground on Iowa State University campus, specifically on Frederiksen Court. Queen was netted and released unharmed directly under blooming spring snow crabapple trees. With me was Colton Poore - we are current ISU graduate students conducting research on bumblebees. Amy Toth, our professor who was also with us, contacted Elaine Evans with USFWS of our finding and was able to confirm our ID.
I let it go right away, the jar was just to get a close picture
First rusty patched I have found in my yard. Will be reporting this directi to FWS
Perhaps the real rusty patched bumble bees were the friend we made along the way
From a mountain mint plant. The bee was chilled to take pictures; it flew away a few minutes later
On Joe-Pye weed, Eutrochium maculatum, in diverse garden