Patagonian bumblebee

It is one of the largest bee species in the world, and its furry look has earned it the nickname 'flying mouse'.1

It often visits red flowers, which most bees avoid. It can detect red through a specific receptor system.1

A syrphid fly in Patagonia, Aneriophora aureorufa, has evolved to look and fly much like this bumblebee, which may help it avoid predators.1

In the Maulino forest of central Chile, individuals living in fragmented forest have longer wings relative to their body size, because they need to fly longer distances between patches.1

Its populations began to decline after non-native bumblebees were introduced into Chile to pollinate crops.1

It is the only native bumblebee species in southern South America.1