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Bombus dahlbomii
Spotted this endemic South American Bumblebee on a clover blossom along the hiking trail for Mirador Ferrier in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
Along the hiking trail for Mirador Ferrier in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.
Bombus dahlbomii is a species of bumblebee endemic to South America, where it is the only native bumblebee of the temperate forests. The queen of this species is the largest bumblebee in the world. This bee was once widespread in Patagonia, and the only bumblebee species in the region. The decline of its populations started around 2006, coinciding with the first reports of Bombus terrestris in the area. The latter had been introduced to Chile in 1997 to serve as an agricultural pollinator. Nearly half of B. terrestris individuals sampled in Patagonia are infested with the parasitic protozoan Apicycstis bombi, and researchers suspect the parasite could play a large part in the decline of B. dahlbomii. Other causes may include competition with the introduced bee for food. B. dahlbomii is an important insect in local ecosystems, such as the Maulino forest of central Chile. There, it is a major pollinator of native plants such as Lapageria rosea. In Patagonia it is an important pollinator of Alstroemeria aurea. Wikipedia
Spotted on Jan 9, 2015
Submitted on Feb 7, 2015
3 Comments
It makes me incredibly sad to think that this marvellous bumblebee, the largest species on the planet, will more than likely become extinct in the next few years because of the import of industrially produced and intentionally imported from abroad foreign bumblebees that are now an invasive species that bring death to the wondrous creature that is the South American Bumblebee (Bombus dahlbomii).
This is truly a tragedy.
Some of our Bumblebees here Canada where I live are also suffering the exact same fate for the very same reason. Our Western Bumble Bee
(Bombus occidentalis) as well as two subspecies of this once very common bumble bee are now in a very steep decline and are currently officially listed as a threatened species.
In not hopeful that anything is even possible to save either species now as the genie is already out of the bottle when this alien species of bumble bee from Europe has already spread the parasites it carries into the wild... It’s a death sentence to both of these native species of bumble bees from our respective countries. The authorities know there’s a problem. Yet they do not act.
Thanks Mark!
Amazing. I love the fur... probably needs it down there.