Abstract

ABSTRACTBombus rufofasciatusSMITH is a Tibetan species, widely distributed in the Oriental region. It is a medium tongued species abundant in both the north-east and north-west Indian Himalaya, covering an altitude range from 2400 to 4200 m. Because of its abundance and very wide distribution, it is associated with a sizeable number of host plants. Males and workers are similar in colour pattern, but the queen is a little different. The species shows a preference for highaltitude mountain slopes and is found in abundance in the open meadows of Affarwatt, Sheeshnag, Daksum, the Razdan Pass and the Lahul-spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh in the north-western Himalaya. For preference it forages onAconitumspp. (Ranunculaceae),Trifoliumspp. (Papilionaceae),Cirsiumspp. (Asteraceae) and certain members of Lamiaceae. Due emphasis has been laid on its detailed taxonomic descriptions, synonymy, host plants, pollination ecology, distribution pattern and illustrations. 51 food plants of this species have been recorded for the first time from the areas under study.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.