Bumbler

I introduced you readers to members of the aster family over the last couple of days so it is fit and proper for you to meet Bombus fervidus - the Golden Northern Bumble Bee.  Or - simply - bumble bee.

click on the bee for a better look

It's a robust bee.  Only young, mated queens overwinter to emerge in early spring to establish a colony.  The female sports a mostly yellow thorax and abdominal segments 1 thru 4.  She is black on segments 5 thru 6.  The male is yellow thru segment 5 and black on segments 6 thru 7.

They're common around here feeding on flower nectar and honey manufactured in their colony. They're all over the asters.