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The rising threat of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris highlights the need for sales restrictions and domestication of unique local biodiversity in Asia
Orr, Michael C.; Ren, Zong-Xin; Ge, Jin; Tian, Li; An, Jiandong; Huang, Jiaxing; Zhu, Chao-Dong; Williams, Paul H.
Entomologia Generalis Volume 42 Number 4 (2022), p. 655 - 658
published: Jul 11, 2022
published online: Feb 24, 2022
manuscript accepted: Jan 4, 2022
final revised version received: Nov 16, 2021
manuscript revision requested: Nov 14, 2021
manuscript received: Aug 10, 2021
DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/2022/1409
ArtNo. ESP146004204017, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The managed bumblebee Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) has become established on multiple continents and various islands globally, potentially impacting fauna and flora alike. Its introduction could prove especially problematic in Asia, where bumblebee biodiversity is the highest worldwide. Here, we report the active, unregulated commercial management and sale of non-native Bombus terrestris in China, also including its use in open environments, which has resulted in at least two introductions into the wild that we newly report here (Beijing and Kunming, China), although whether they are established is unknown. National and international regulations on the trade and use of this species are needed, and some of the many native species should instead be targeted for domestication.
Keywords
Apoidea •
Apidae •
Bombus
•
pollination •
exotic species •
invasive species •
biodiversity decline