Species Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758)
Type data:
Neotype LS ♀, Europe.Subsequent designation references:
Day, M.C. 1979. The species of Hymenoptera described by Linnaeus in the genera Sphex, Chrysis, Vespa, Apis and Mutilla. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society of London 12: 45-84 [Date published 31/12/1979]; International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1996. Opinion 1828. Apis terrestris Linnaeus, 1758, A. muscorum Linnaeus, 1758 and A. lucorum Linnaeus, 1761 (currently Bombus terrestris, B. muscorum and B. lucorum) and Bombus humilis Illiger, 1806 (Insecta, Hymenoptera): specific names conserved, and neotypes designated for B. terrestris and B. muscorum. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 53(1): 64-65 [Date published March] [64] (sets aside lectotype designation by Day, 1979).
Distribution
States
Tasmania
Extra Distribution Information
Introduced accidentally into TAS (genetic study shows the entire population may be descended from one inseminated queen); established in the Hobart area (first record at Battery Point in February 1992) and spreading at about 12 km per year, in 1999 still concentrated in southern part of TAS (R. Buttermore, pers. comm.); species native to Palaearctic Region, introduced and established in New Zealand since 1885.
Introduced from Palaearctic Region or indirectly from New Zealand.
IBRA
Tas: Ben Lomond (BEL), Flinders (FLI), King (KIN), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian South East (TSE), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE)
Ecological Descriptors
Adult: mellivore, volant.
Extra Ecological Information
Social insects, living in colonies, with female reproductive and worker castes, nests of wax in pre-existing cavities in ground (in Europe, usually in abandoned nests of small rodents).
General References
Alford, D.V. 1975. Bumblebees. London : Davis-Poynter 352 pp. [Date published 31/12/1975] (taxonomy, biology)
Buttermore, R.E. 1997. Observations of successful Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies in southern Tasmania. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 36(3): 251-254 [Date published August] [251] (biology)
Buttermore, R.E., Pomeroy, N., Hobson, W., Semmens, T. & Hart, R. 1998. Assessment of the genetic base of Tasmanian bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) for development as pollination agents. Journal of Apicultural Research 37(1): 23-25 [23]
Donovan, B.J. 1980. Interactions between native and introduced bees in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 3: 104-116 [Date published 31/12/1980] (biology)
Donovan, B.J. 1990. Selection and importation of new pollinators to New Zealand. New Zealand Entomologist 13: 26-32 [Date published 31/12/1990] (biology)
Donovan, B.J. & Wier, S.S. 1978. Development of hives for field population increase, and studies on the life cycles of the four species of introduced bumble bees in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 21: 733-756 [Date published 31/12/1978] (biology)
Franklin, H.J. 1913. The Bombidae of the New World. Transactions of the American Entomological Society 38: 177-486 [Date published January] [186] (quotes letter from W.W.Froggatt, introductions into Australia unsuccessful)
Goulson, D. 2000. Do exotic bees pose an environmental threat? News Bulletin, Entomological Society of Queensland 28(3): 54-57 [Date published May 2000] [54]
Hingston, A.B. 2005. Does the introduced bumblebee, Bombus terrestris (Apidae), prefer flowers of introduced or native plants in Australia? Australian Journal of Zoology 53: 29-34 (no preference for feeding on introduced plant species over native plant species)
Hingston, A.B. 2005. Inbreeding in the introduced Bumblebee Bombus terrestris causes uncertainty in predictions of impacts on native ecosystems. Ecological Management and Restoration 6(2): 151-153
Hingston, A.B. 2006. Is the exotic bumblebee Bombus terrestris really invading Tasmanian native vegetation? Journal of Insect Conservation 10: 189-293 (in Tasmania the bumblebee has invaded native vegetation extensively)
Hingston, A.B., Potts, B.M. & McQuillan, P.B. 2004. The swift parrot, Lathamus discolor (Psittacidae), social bees (Apidae) and native insects as pollinators of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus (Myrtaceae). Australian Journal of Botany 52: 371-379 (Bombus terrestris visiting flowers of Eucalyptus globulus spp. globulus, but this species and Apis mellifera less effective as pollinators than the parrots)
Hingston, A.B. & McQuillan, P.B. 1998. Does the recently introduced bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Apidae) threaten Australian ecosystems? Australian Journal of Ecology 23(6): 539-549 [Date published December] [539] (biology, records on native flowers)
Hingston, A.B. & McQuillan, P.B. 1998. Nectar robbing in Epacris impressa (Epacridaceae) by the recently introduced bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Apidae) in Tasmania. Victorian Naturalist 115(4): 116-119 [116] (biology)
Hingston, A.B. & McQuillan, P.B. 1999. Displacement of Tasmanian native megachilid bees by the recently introduced bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 47: 59-65 [59]
Hingston, A.B. et al. 2002. Extent of invasion of Tasmanian native vegetation by the exotic bumblebee Bombus terrestris (Apoidea: Apidae). Austral Ecology 27: 162-172 (Bombus terrestris found to be highly invasive; list given of native and introduced plant species visited in study)
Holm, S.N. 1966. The utilization and management of bumble bees for red clover and alfalfa seed production. Annual Review of Entomology 11: 155-182 [Date published 31/12/1966] (management for seed production)
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1996. Opinion 1828. Apis terrestris Linnaeus, 1758, A. muscorum Linnaeus, 1758 and A. lucorum Linnaeus, 1761 (currently Bombus terrestris, B. muscorum and B. lucorum) and Bombus humilis Illiger, 1806 (Insecta, Hymenoptera): specific names conserved, and neotypes designated for B. terrestris and B. muscorum. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 53(1): 64-65 [Date published March] [64] (name conserved, neotype designated)
Rayment, T. 1935. A Cluster of Bees. Sixty essays on the life-histories of Australian bees, with specific descriptions of over 100 new species, and an introduction by Professor E.F. Phillips, D.Ph., Cornell University, U.S.A. Sydney : Endeavour Press. 752 pp. [505] (as Bremus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758))
Semmens, T.D. 1996. Flower visitation by the bumble bee Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Tasmania. Australian Entomologist 23(2): 33-35 [Date published September] [33] (flower records, including14 native and 156 introduced species)
Semmens, T.D., Turner, E. & R. Buttermore 1993. Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) now established in Tasmania. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 32(4): 346 [Date published November] [346] (biology)
Sladen, F.W.L. 1912. The Humble-bee. Its life-history and how to domesticate it: with descriptions of all the British species of Bombus and Psithyrus. London : Macmillan 238 pp. [Date published 31/12/1912] (biology, p.158 states (incorrectly) 'It (Bombus terrestris) has also been acclimatized in Australia')
Williams, P.H. 1998. An annotated checklist of bumble bees with an analysis of patterns of description (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombini). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology 67(1): 79-152 [Date published June] [130] (establishment in Australia)
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22-Oct-2015 | 20-Sep-2012 | MODIFIED | ||
| 07-Aug-2012 | 23-Jul-2012 | MODIFIED | ||
| 29-Mar-2010 | MODIFIED |