Diversity Of Bumblebees Research Articles

Bumble bee abundance and richness improves honey bee pollination behaviour in sweet cherry

Pollination service in agricultural crops increases significantly with pollinator diversity and wild pollinator abundance. Differences in the foraging behaviour of pollinating insects are one of the reasons why pollinator diversity and abundance enhances crop pollination. Here, we focused on the foraging behaviour of honey bees and bumble bees in sweet cherry orchards. In addition, we studied the influence of bee diversity and abundance on the foraging behaviour of honey bees and bumble bees. Honey bees were found to visit fewer flowers than bumble bees. Bumble bees also showed a higher probability of changing trees between rows than honey bees. Both visitation rate and probability of row changes of honey bees increased with bumble bee diversity and with bumble bee abundance. We also found that the probability of row changes of honey bees increased with increasing bumble bee abundance. These effects of bumble bee richness and abundance on the pollination behaviour of honey bees can improve the pollination performance of honey bees in crops that depend on cross pollination. Our results highlight the higher pollination performance of bumble bees and the facilitative effect of wild pollinators to crop pollination.

Diagnostic indicators of wild pollinators for biodiversity monitoring in long-term conservation

For the conservation of wild pollinators, instead of surveying the whole community, one or more indicator species can be used as monitoring targets for long-term conservation. China, the richest country in terms of bumblebee species with 125 species, was selected here to investigate the indicator species of the different biogeographic regions of bumblebees. Four principal biogeographic regions of bumblebee species, i.e., South China, North-Northeast China (North China), the Mongolian Plateau and surrounding mountains (Mongolian Plateau) and the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding mountains (Tibetan Plateau), were revealed by Ward’s agglomerative cluster analysis. The role of climatic factors in defining the biogeographic regions was found to be greater than those of topographical factors and their joint effects. We found that 14, 13, 12 and 12 species were associated with the regions of South China, North China, the Mongolian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, respectively. In addition, among these species, seven (Bombus atripes, B. bicoloratus, B. breviceps, B. eximius, B. flavescens, B. montivagus and B. trifasciatus), five (B. deuteronymus, B. patagiatus, B. pseudobaicalensis, B. tricornis and B. ussurensis), ten (B. armeniacus, B. confusus, B. cryptarum, B. cullumanus, B. hortorum, B. muscorum, B. ruderarius, B. soroeensis, B. subterraneus and B. terrestris) and four species (B. kashmirensis, B. personatus, B. rufofasciatus and B. waltoni) were identified as important indicator species for South China, North China, the Mongolian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, respectively. Furthermore, we identified specific areas for targeted bumblebee diversity monitoring in each region. This study highlights the bioregionalization and the identification of indicator species of bumblebee pollinators for long-term monitoring in conservation.

Análisis preliminar de la amplificación de microsatélites en abejorros para estudios de biodiversidad y conservación

La península Ibérica alberga una gran diversidad de abejorros, pero falta mucha información sobre su biodiversidad en esta zona. Para evitar esto y facilitar estudios de conservación, presentamos dos novedosos ensayos para la amplificación múltiple de seis y cinco loci de microsatélites respectivamente. Ambos ensayos funcionaron con éxito para la mayoría de las especies estudiadas en las poblaciones ibéricas. Se detectaron las obreras hermanas y se infirieron parámetros genético-poblacionales en la especie manejada B. terrestris y en las especies silvestres B. monticola y B. mesomelas, demostrando la capacidad de estos ensayos para estudios de biodiversidad de especies de abejorros tanto manejadas como silvestres.

Contrasting altitudinal patterns of diversity between bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited flowers: Poverty of bumblebee diversity in a high mountain of Japan

AbstractRange shifts of mountain organisms toward higher elevations in response to global warming may result in spatial mismatches between plants and their pollinators. Here, we aimed to examine whether bumblebee diversity decreases in a high‐altitude zone, and whether it parallels a decrease in the altitudinal diversity of bumblebee‐visited plants. We surveyed the alpha diversities of flower‐visiting bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited plants along an altitudinal gradient on a Japanese high mountain. Then, we examined whether the alpha diversities of bumblebees and bumblebee‐visited plants could be explained by altitude, or by other factors such as season, surveyed area and flower abundance. We found that a model including only altitude best explained bumblebee diversity, and that flower abundance and plant diversity had considerable value in explaining bumblebee diversity. In contrast, none of the studied factors explained plant diversity. Bumblebee diversity was minimal in the high‐altitude zone (1,900–2,600 m a.s.l.), where the only dominant bumblebee species, Bombus beaticola, visited many species of flowering plants. In contrast, five to seven bumblebee species were distributed in the low‐ (700–1,300 m a.s.l.) and middle‐ (1,300–1,900 m a.s.l.) altitude zones. These results show that plant–pollinator mutualism in high‐altitude zone of a Japanese mountain is asymmetric: many bee‐pollinated plants rely almost exclusively on one bumblebee species (B. beaticola) for pollination. Monitoring future changes in the distribution and abundance of B. beaticola is indispensable for the conservation of alpine plant in Japan.

Crop rotation and agri‐environment schemes determine bumblebee communities via flower resources

Abstract In many parts of the world, farmland pollinators decreased significantly during the last half of the 20th century mainly due to land‐use changes and agricultural intensification. We studied the effect of different typical crop rotations and agri‐environment schemes (AES) on bumblebee diversity in Estonia. We compared species abundances between four crop rotation types (cereal rollover [no change from 1 year to the next], cereal to mass‐flowering crops [hereafter MFC], MFC rollover and MFC to cereal fields) where all counts were conducted in the second year and in three farming types (conventional farming, organic farming and environmentally friendly management). We surveyed bumblebees and flower cover along 401 field margins in five consecutive years and recorded 20 species and more than 6,000 individuals. Abundances of long‐tongued and threatened bumblebee species were higher at the field margins of cereal rollover fields than for the other three crop rotation types. In addition, cereal rollover field margins had higher abundances of medium colony species, generalists and forest‐scrub species than MFC rollover and MFC to cereal or cereal to MFC field margins. Bumblebee species richness was higher at the field margins of both AES types than those of conventional farming. However, in general, the strongest driver of bumblebee presence was flower cover. Higher bumblebee abundances in cereal rollover field margins were probably owing to a concentration effect there and/or a dilution effect into MFC fields. Both AES schemes supported increasing flower cover in field margins and thereby diversity of bumblebees, indicating positive AES impacts upon wild pollinators. Synthesis and applications. Crop rotation and agri‐environment schemes determine bumblebee richness and abundance via the availability of flower resources, but crop rotation constrains bumblebees differently based on their traits. Therefore, future agri‐environmental policy should account for these management options. Crop rotation could be a simple, but efficient solution to increase the biodiversity of agricultural landscapes.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Bombus consobrinus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Bombus consobrinus was sequenced. This circular mitogenome is 17,966 bp (86.7% of AT) in length, which contains 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and two rRNA genes. All protein-coding genes are initiated with the typical ATN codon and terminated by TAA codon except an incomplete stop codon T for ND4 gene. tRNA-Ser (AGN) lacks a dihydrouridine (DHU) arm while other tRNA genes form a typical cloverleaf structure. The complete mitochondrial genome of B. consobrinus will be useful to understand the inter-species relationship and genetic diversity of bumblebees.

Diversity of bumblebees, heteropteran\xa0bugs and grasshoppers maintained by both: abandonment and extensive management of mountain meadows in three regions across the Austrian and Swiss Alps

ContextAbandonment of extensively managed meadows is an ongoing global challenge in recent decades, particularly in mountain regions, and directly affects plant diversity. However, the extent to which plant diversity further affects associated insect pollinators or herbivores is little investigated.ObjectivesWe focused on the effects of abandonment of mountain meadows on species richness and assemblages of bumblebees, bugs and grasshoppers. Specifically, we investigated the influence of vegetation cover, flower cover, plant richness and surrounding landscape on the three insect groups.MethodsSpecies richness, abundance and species assemblages of bumblebees, bugs and grasshoppers were surveyed in one Swiss and two Austrian regions: three meadows which had been abandoned for 15–60 years, and three extensively managed meadows (mown once a year, no use of fertilizers). We surveyed bumblebees and bugs by sweep net, and grasshoppers using the time-effective soundscape approach.ResultsBumblebee species richness and abundance were significantly higher in managed meadows, whereas bug and grasshopper richness and abundance showed no differences between both management types. Managed and abandoned meadows harboured significantly different species assemblages of bugs and grasshoppers, but not of bumblebees. Increasing flower cover and plant richness increased bumblebee richness, but correlated negatively with richness of bugs. Surrounding open landscape positively affected bugs. Caelifera positively correlated with surrounding forest cover and negatively with vegetation cover. Vegetation cover positively affected Ensifera.ConclusionsAbandoned and extensively managed meadows are important habitat types for the conservation of the three insect groups, thus suggesting the maintenance of both habitat types within mountain landscapes.

Bumble Bee Diversity of West Virginia: A changing community of species.

The goal of our research is to assess the overall diversity of and to evaluate the presence and relative abundance of bumble bee species (Bombus), in West Virginia both spatially and temporally. Over the last 3 field seasons, we have collected bumble bees from a variety of field sites throughout Kanawha County to determine local population numbers and community structure and to compare these data to similar trends across the state. Additionally, to determine whether community structure of Bombus has changed over time, we incorporated data from statewide collections and museum collections dating back to 1915. Our data indicated that the bumble bee community of Kanawha County currently is dominated (~95% of total specimens collected) by three species (Bombus impatiens, B. bimaculatus and B. griseocollis). Our statewide data showed the same trend with regards to those species being dominant and that the bumble bee fauna of WV significantly skewed. As one would expect, the community structure of Bombus from 1915 to present indicated a loss of species from certain areas and that overall the diversity of bumble bees in the Mountain State has suffered significantly.

Evaluating the effects of floral resource specialisation and of nitrogen regulation on the vulnerability of social bees in agricultural landscapes

The abundance and the diversity of bumblebees have been declining for the past decades. While some species remain abundant and widespread, others have experienced vast declines. We tested if diet breadth and exclusiveness of floral resource use affected abundance and land-use response of bumblebees and honeybees in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes. Based on an ecological niche modelling approach, we discovered that three of 13 species (12 Bombus spp. and A. mellifera) responded negatively to land use, while no species responded positively. Overall abundance as well as land-use response of different bee species was unrelated to resource use. The generalist forager B. lapidarius, the slightly more specialised forager B. terrestris/lucorum species complex and the specialist forager B. wurflenii declined most with land use. Moreover, we found that honeybees and two bumblebee species contained higher levels of nitrogen than other non-predatory Hymenoptera and performed almost perfect homeostasis despite variable nitrogen contents of floral resources. We conclude that at least common species of social bees have good nitrogen homeostasis capacity. Generally, our data do not support the notion that species with more specialised floral resource use are more likely to suffer from land use.

The potential of electricity transmission corridors in forested areas as bumblebee habitat.

Declines in pollinator abundance and diversity are not only a conservation issue, but also a threat to crop pollination. Maintained infrastructure corridors, such as those containing electricity transmission lines, are potentially important wild pollinator habitat. However, there is a lack of evidence comparing the abundance and diversity of wild pollinators in transmission corridors with other important pollinator habitats. We compared the diversity of a key pollinator group, bumblebees (Bombus spp.), between transmission corridors and the surrounding semi-natural and managed habitat types at 10 sites across Sweden's Uppland region. Our results show that transmission corridors have no impact on bumblebee diversity in the surrounding area. However, transmission corridors and other maintained habitats such as roadsides have a level of bumblebee abundance and diversity comparable to semi-natural grasslands and host species that are important for conservation and ecosystem service provision. Under the current management regime, transmission corridors already provide valuable bumblebee habitat, but given that host plant density is the main determinant of bumblebee abundance, these areas could potentially be enhanced by establishing and maintaining key host plants. We show that in northern temperate regions the maintenance of transmission corridors has the potential to contribute to bumblebee conservation and the ecosystem services they provide.

Spatial distribution modelling reveals climatically suitable areas for bumblebees in undersampled parts of the Iberian Peninsula

Abstract The Iberian Peninsula supports a high diversity of bumblebees, with 38 species all of which are at or near the south‐western edge of their range. We might expect them to be threatened by climate change, but their distributions within Iberia are poorly documented. In this study, we examine the climatic conditions that explain the distribution of Iberian bumblebees. Species distribution models (SDMs) were built using a presence‐only technique (Maxent), incorporating presence data of Iberian bumblebees (initially 5795 records for 38 species) with seven climatic variables. We observed that: (i) mountain regions were highlighted as rich in species (bumblebee hot spots); (ii) rare species are climatic specialist species that mainly inhabit mountain regions; (iii) common species are more tolerant of a broader range of climates, notably of higher temperatures; (iv) some areas of Iberia are largely undersampled, including areas predicted to support high bumblebee diversity. We identify areas where targeted searches may reveal undiscovered populations of rare bumblebee species. Obtaining a good knowledge of the current distribution of species is a vital first step towards devising approaches for their conservation.

How landscape, pollen intake and pollen quality affect colony growth in Bombus terrestris

Abundance and diversity of bumblebees have been declining over the past decades. To successfully conserve bumblebee populations, we need to understand how landscape characteristics affect the quantity and quality of floral resources collected by colonies and subsequently colony performance. We therefore investigated how amount and composition of pollen collected by buff-tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris colonies was affected by the surrounding landscape (i.e. the proportion of forest, urban, semi-natural habitats) and how they were related to colony growth. Thirty B. terrestris colonies were placed at grassland sites differing in surrounding landscape. Colonies were established in spring when availability of flowering plants was highest, and their weight gain was monitored for 1 month. We additionally recorded the quantity and compared plant taxonomic composition and nutritional quality (i.e. amino acid composition) of pollen stored. Bumblebee colonies varied little in the pollen spectra collected despite differences in surrounding landscape composition. They collected on average 80 % of pollen from woody plants, with 34 % belonging to the genus Acer. Early colony growth positively correlated with total amount of woody pollen and protein collected and decreased with increasing proportions of semi-natural habitats and total amino acid concentrations. Our results suggest that woody plant species represent highly important pollen sources for the generalist forager B. terrestris early in the season. We further show that colony growth of B. terrestris is predominantly affected by the quantity, not quality, of forage, indicating that several abundant plant species flowering throughout the bumblebees’ foraging season may cover the colonies’ nutritional needs.

High-resolution distribution of bumblebees (Bombus spp.) in a mountain area marked by agricultural decline

SummarySince the 1980s, bumblebee species have declined in Europe, partly because of agricultural intensification. Yet little is known about the potential consequences of agricultural decline on bumblebees. In most mountainous areas, agricultural decline from rural exodus is acute and alters landscapes as much as intensive farming. Our study aims at providing a quantitative assessment of agricultural decline through its impact on landscapes, and at characterising bumblebee assemblages associated with land-use types of mountain regions. The studied area (6.2 km2) belongs to the Eyne’s valley in the French Pyrenees, known to host the exceptional number of 33 bumblebee species of the 45 found in continental France. We compare aerial photographs from 1953 and 2000 to quantify agricultural decline. We cross a bumblebee database (2849 observations) with land-use types interpreted from aerial photographs from 2000. Comparison of land-use maps from 1953 and 2000 reveals a strong progression of woodland and urbanised areas, and a decline of agricultural land (pastures and crops), except for hayfields. Spatial correlations between low altitude agro-pastoral structure and the occurrence of bumblebee species shows that bumblebee specific richness is highest in agro-pastoral land-uses (pastures and hayfields) and in the ski area, and poorest in woodland and urbanised areas. Urbanisation and agricultural decline, through increased woodland areas, could lead to a loss of bumblebee diversity in the future. To preserve high bumblebee richness, it is crucial to design measures to maintain open land habitats and the landscape’s spatial heterogeneity through agro-pastoral practices.

Bumblebee-mediated pollination of English populations of the Military Orchid (Orchis militaris): its possible relevance to functional morphology, life history and climate change

AbstractOpportunistic observations of the longest-standing British population of Orchis militaris L. suggest that bumblebees (Bombus spp.) may have become the primary pollinators of the orchid at the site. We document pollination by (female) workers of B. pratorum and males of the brood parasite B. vestalis. Placement of the pollinaria on the bodies of the bees varied greatly, presumably reducing the bees’ efficiency as pollinators due to (a) delayed contact of pollinaria with stigma (increasing the frequency of geitonogamy), (b) failure to contact any stigma due to misplacement, or (c) failure to contact any stigma due to rapid removal of the pollinaria by the bee. However, suboptimal pollinarium placement may be compensated for by the comparative determination shown by the bees in exploring both flowers and inflorescences. Recent environmental change has reduced bumblebee diversity in Europe, survival favouring species with short tongues that correspond in length with the (non-rewarding) labellar spur o...

Bumblebees in the city: abundance, species richness and diversity in two urban habitats

Bumblebees are well known for their contribution to the ecosystem service of pollination. In urban areas, green space management beneficial to pollinators can be an important step in sustaining large urban bee populations. The abundance, number of species and diversity of bumblebees (Bombus spp), as well as the abundance of honeybees (Apis mellifera), were studied in 13 urban gardens (including allotments) and 13 ornamental flowerbeds (in parks and green spaces) in the city centre of Gothenburg, Sweden. In total, 12 species of bumblebees were observed. Species richness was significantly higher in gardens than in flowerbeds, but diversity (Berger–Parker and Simpson indices) was higher in flowerbeds than in urban gardens. The abundance in gardens was significantly higher and approximately twice that found in flowerbeds. The number of honeybee individuals was positively correlated with the abundance of bumblebees. Neither species richness nor abundance of bumblebees was affected by site size. However, a high flowering frequency positively affected the total number of bumblebee and honeybee individuals at the sites. We conclude that urban gardens contribute to sustaining a high abundance of bumblebees in the city centre, and indirectly facilitates small scale urban food production. A pollinator-friendly management of urban green space with plentiful flowering may promote a community of bumblebees with high abundance and diversity.

The bumblebees of North China (Apidae, Bombus Latreille).

Bumblebees are important pollinators for wild flowers and agricultural crops. North China is a region of varied geomorphology and vegetation, with plateaus, plains, mountains and deserts, and is part of the greatest hotspot of bumblebee diversity worldwide. We report on a field survey of the bumblebees of North China made between 2005-2012. A sample of 21,636 bumblebee specimens are assigned to 76 species. One older specimen held in London added one more species to this list. Together, these 77 species represent 10 subgenera of the genus Bombus. Seven species are recorded from North China for the first time: B. (St.) distinguendus, B. (Th.) anachoreta, B. (Th.) pseudobaicalensis, B. (Th.) exil, B. (Ps.) campestris, B. (Pr.) infirmus and B. (Ag.) validus. We provide identification keys for both males and females, photographs of the common colour patterns, and distribution maps for all species. We describe variation in local species richness and abundance, and list the food plants used by bumblebees in North China. The most abundant 10 bumblebee species are: B. (Ml.) pyrosoma, B. (Bo.) lantschouensis, B. (Bo.) patagiatus, B. (St.) melanurus, B. (Sb.) sibiricus, B. (Bo.) ignitus, B. (Th.) hedini, B. (Pr.) picipes, B. (Mg.) trifasciatus and B. (Mg.) longipes. Bumblebees are distributed widely within North China, from low elevations near the edge of the North-China plain to high elevations at the edge of the east Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (65-4011 m). The highest species richness is found in meadows of the high elevation east Qinghai-Tibetan plateau and in forests of the Qilianshan mountains in southwestern Gansu. The 337 food plant species recorded here belong to 49 families, showing that bumblebees play an important role in interconnecting agricultural and natural ecosystems in North China.

Zonal distribution of bumblebee species (hymenoptera, apidae) in the North of European Russia

The bumblebee fauna of the North of European Russia includes 34 species. The trends in bumblebee diversity within the region are characterized. The species richness is the greatest in the middle taiga subzone and decreases from south to north, reaching its minimum in the Arctic tundra. Based on analysis of the zonal differentiation of bumblebee species, only four of them were found to be true arctic forms: Bombus (Alpinobombus) polaris, B. (Al.) balteatus, B. (Al.) hyperboreus, and B. (Pr.) lapponicus glacialis, whereas the rest belong to the temperate, boreal, and subboreal groups.

Food production vs. biodiversity: comparing organic and conventional agriculture

Summary A substantial proportion of the global land surface is used for agricultural production. Agricultural land serves multiple societal purposes; it provides food, fuel and fibre and also acts as habitat for organisms and supports the services they provide. Biodiversity conservation and food production need to be balanced: production needs to be sustainable, while conservation cannot be totally at the expense of crop yield. To identify the benefits (in terms of biodiversity conservation) and costs (in terms of reduction in yields) of agricultural management, we examined the relationship between crop yield and abundance and species density of important taxa in winter cereal fields on both organic and conventional farms in lowland England. Of eight species groups examined, five (farmland plants, bumblebees, butterflies, solitary bees and epigeal arthropods) were negatively associated with crop yield, but the shape of this relationship varied between taxa. It was linear for the abundance of bumblebees and species density of butterflies, concave up for the abundance of epigeal arthropods and butterflies and concave down for species density of plants and bumblebees. Grain production per unit area was 54% lower in organic compared with conventional fields. When controlling for yield, diversity of bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies and epigeal arthropods did not differ between farming systems, indicating that observed differences in biodiversity between organic and conventional fields are explained by lower yields in organic fields and not by different management practices per se. Only percentage cover and species density of plants were increased by organic field management after controlling for yield. The abundance of solitary wild bees and hoverflies was increased in landscapes with high amount of organic land. Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate that considerable gains in biodiversity require roughly proportionate reductions in yield in highly productive agricultural systems. They suggest that conservation efforts may be more cost effective in low‐productivity agricultural systems or on non‐agricultural land. In less productive agricultural landscapes, biodiversity benefit can be gained by concentrating organic farms into hotspots without a commensurate reduction in yield.

The effect of climatic variation on abundance and diversity of bumblebees: a ten years survey in a mountain hotspot

Even if climates play an evident role in the bumblebees distribution, at the present time, no research has been performed to test whether climatic parameters actually affect their abundance and diversity. For more than one decade (1999–2009), we monitored the bumblebee fauna of a mountain hotspot in the Eastern Pyrenees. We sampled each year, in July, the same hayfield habitat, resulting in the sampling of 28 species. We computed the correlation of the yearly abundance of the main species with several climatic parameters concerning temperature and precipitation. We separated the parameters measured during the bumblebee solitary phase and those measured during their social phase. Bumblebee fauna composition varied significantly over years. In the 13 species considered, the abundance of 9 was correlated with at least one climatic parameter. The lowest abundance of bumblebees was correlated with hot and dry conditions during the month of August the year before sampling (the nuptial time of the founders). The highest overall abundance of bumblebees was observed during the social phase in the rainy months. Across years, climatic parameters seem to have strongly affected the composition of bumblebee fauna. Our results seem to indicate that hot and dry weather represent serious threat for most bumblebee species. The potential effects of Global Warming are discussed: they may cause a severe reduction of the mountain bumblebee diversity.

Species Diversity of Bumblebees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Different Mountain Regions of Kashmir Himalayas

The species diversity of bumblebees was investigated in three provinces Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh during 2007-2010. Bumblebee queens, workers and males were collected right from the commencement till to the end of flowering stage in all the three mountain regions. In total, 27 species of bumblebees were collected and identified, of which eleven species were common in the two regions, e.g., Kashmir and Ladakh. A list of species assemblages and abundance is provided in each of the mountain ranges. Species diversity of three regions was determined with Shannon-Weiner diversity index and evenness was calculated with indices of Pielou. The obtained results showed species diversity; evenness and species richness were more observable in Kashmir compared with Ladakh and Jammu. The three sample sites within the Kashmir Himalayas indicate significant differences in species diversity; the Kashmir region had higher species diversity and richness than the other regions. Most species of bumblebees were collected in altitudinal ranges of 3000-4000m. Four species viz. Bombus cornutus, B. parthenius, B. miniatus and B. morawitizianus are recorded for the first time from this region, while B. morawitizianus turn out to be the first record to the national list.Key words: Species Diversity; Bumblebees; Kashmir Himalayas.© 2012 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v4i1.8815J. Sci. Res. 4 (1), 263-272 (2012)