Review of the Icelandic bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Anthophila)

Abstract

Only one species of the Hymenoptera Apoidea Anthophila is native to Iceland: Bombus jonellus (Kirby, 1802). A second species, Andrena tarsata Nylander, 1848, is mentioned by Schmiedeknecht (1882–1884), but there is reasonable doubt of an existence in Iceland. Four bumblebee species were introduced: B. hortorum (Linnaeus, 1761), first detection in 1959; B. lucorum (Linnaeus, 1761), first detection in 1979; B. hypnorum (Linnaeus, 1758) and B. pascuorum (Scopoli, 1763), first detections in 2010. Furthermore B. terrestris (Linnaeus, 1761) was introduced for tomato pollination in greenhouses (after 2002). Personal observations in 2014 yielded the result of large extensions of B. lucorum primarily in the north-east region of Iceland. The distribution of all bumblebee species in Iceland is summarised, their taxonomical status, habitat preferences, special adaptations and colonisation history are discussed. Based on a differential evaluation, probable trends of their future development are examined. Global warming effects may reduce B. jonellus populations and promote those of introduced Bombus species. B. lucorum may expand in many regions of Iceland far from settlements, but also into cultivated and settlement areas. B. hortorum is restricted to settlement areas with gardens (preferring long-tubed flowers), but B. lucorum will compete strongly with B. hortorum. B. hypnorum is also restricted to settlement areas, due to special nesting behaviour. The further development of B. pascuorum is likely to be positively supported by global warming effects and competitive effects. B. terrestris seems to be not adapted to live outside greenhouses in Iceland.