Illinois Officially Recognizes the Black and Gold Bumblebee as State Bee

IE Author — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:19:10 +0000

Source: ChatGPT

Illinois has officially designated the Black and Gold Bumblebee (Bombus auricomus) as the state’s first official State Bee after Governor JB Pritzker signed House Bill (HB) 4438 into law on July 8, 2026. The new designation recognizes the native bee’s vital role in pollinating prairie plants and supporting Illinois’ agriculture and ecosystems.

Designation Details

Official State Bee: Black and Gold Bumblebee (Bombus auricomus)
State: Illinois
Law: House Bill 4438 (HB 4438)
Signed by: Governor JB Pritzker
Signed into law: July 8, 2026
Status: Illinois’ first official state bee
Effective date: January 1, 2027

Why Was This Bee Chosen?

The Black and Gold Bumblebee is native to Illinois and much of North America. It pollinates prairie wildflowers and many types of agricultural crops. It helps maintain healthy ecosystems and supports biodiversity. This bee is commonly found in prairies, grasslands, and open fields across Illinois.

Student-Led Campaign

One of the most remarkable aspects of this designation is that the initiative came from students. Eighth-grade students from Lincoln Junior High School in Naperville launched the campaign. Their science teacher, Barbara Bell, assigned a project on native Illinois bees. Students researched bee species, created presentations, organized a statewide student vote, and testified before lawmakers. Their year-long civic engagement campaign ultimately led to the passage of the bill into law.

Physical Characteristics and Habitat

Scientific name: Bombus auricomus
Worker bees can grow up to ½ inch (1.3 cm) long.
Queens may reach 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length.
It is known for its loud buzzing sound and striking black-and-gold coloring.
It builds underground nests in grasslands.
It feeds on nectar and pollen from clovers, bee balm, St. John’s wort, and other native wildflowers.

Illinois’ Growing List of State Symbols

The new state bee joins several other official Illinois symbols, including:

State Bird: Northern Cardinal
State Insect: Monarch Butterfly
State Animal: White-tailed Deer
State Rock: Dolostone
State Fungus: Giant Puffball
State Bean: Soybean

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Black and Gold Bumblebee will officially join Illinois’ collection of official state symbols.

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