Prairie Flowers visited by Bombus affinis, rusty-patched bumblebee, at Barnes Prairie, Racine Co., WI.
Barnes Prairie and remnants consist of several areas of tallgrass prairie, original to southeastern Wisconsin, USA. Over time, these areas have been systematically lost to farming, grazing, housing, commercial and industry use, and infrastructure. In the 1960s, there were dozens of prairie remnants; to date, only a scattered few remain.
Bombus affinis, rusty patched bumblebee, was frequently found at Barnes Prairie during the 1980s through 1990s. They were also found at flower gardens adjacent to the prairie remnants, and on the roadsides near these prairies.
A short summary of native prairie flowers that these bees were observed and/or photographed on follows. The greatest number of rusty-patched bumblebees were seen on Monarda fistulosa.
Month/Year Flowering plants that bees were seen/photographed on Comments
July 2011 Cirsium discolor, field thistle ID MPM
July 2021 Cirsium discolor, field thistle
Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot
Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower planted at edge of prairie in
the 1970’s
August 2021 Solidago juncea, early goldenrod abundant on this remnant
Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot abundant on this remnant
Veronicastrum virginicum, Culver’s root
Helenium autumnale, sneezeweed
July 2022 Monarda fistulosa, wild bergamot
Echinacea purpurea, purple coneflower planted at edge of prairie in
the 1970’s
August 2022 Solidago rigida, rigid goldenrod
Eryngium yuccifolium, rattlesnake master Plants scattered in the prairie
Symphyotrichum sp. (Aster sp.) aster Possibly sky blue aster
September 2022 Symphyotrichum sp. Aster