Scholarlink

<p>Species introductions are an identified threat to global biodiversity. Yet, bees introduced for commercial agriculture often avoid the regulatory scrutiny typical of other intentional insect introductions, such as for biological control. The effects of species introductions are notoriously complex and difficult to predict; even mutualists can impose antagonistic effects upon introduction. Managed pollinators appear to exemplify this phenomenon. Introduced globally in large numbers to benefit agricultural production, their impacts on wild bee communities are poorly understood. As studies of managed pollinator introductions accrue, concerns about their impacts are mounting. Following its approval for introduction to British Columbia’s lower mainland region for greenhouse pollination in 1999, the bumblebee species <i>Bombus impatiens</i> escaped and rapidly spread throughout the region. This species is now frequently observed in local parks, agricultural areas and nature preserves. At the same time, we have very little understanding of the ecology of <i>B. impatiens</i> in its introduced range, nor how it is impacting local native species. British Columbia is a biodiversity hotspot for wild bees, so understanding the impact of this introduction is important and urgent. Here, we examine the potential for resource competition between <i>B. impatiens</i> and four other common bumblebee species native to this region. We demonstrate that, although <i>B. impatiens</i> workers tend to emerge later than native <i>Bombus</i> species, diet overlap is strong. We also find that <i>B. impatiens</i> exhibits a preference for introduced plant species, suggesting potential avenues for ecological effects on the regional ecosystem.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Niche overlap between the introduced species Bombus impatiens (Apidae) and native bumblebees in Southwestern British Columbia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月6日

查看全文
  • Melissa M. Platsko,
  • Jens Ulrich,
  • Risa D. Sargent

摘要

Species introductions are an identified threat to global biodiversity. Yet, bees introduced for commercial agriculture often avoid the regulatory scrutiny typical of other intentional insect introductions, such as for biological control. The effects of species introductions are notoriously complex and difficult to predict; even mutualists can impose antagonistic effects upon introduction. Managed pollinators appear to exemplify this phenomenon. Introduced globally in large numbers to benefit agricultural production, their impacts on wild bee communities are poorly understood. As studies of managed pollinator introductions accrue, concerns about their impacts are mounting. Following its approval for introduction to British Columbia’s lower mainland region for greenhouse pollination in 1999, the bumblebee species Bombus impatiens escaped and rapidly spread throughout the region. This species is now frequently observed in local parks, agricultural areas and nature preserves. At the same time, we have very little understanding of the ecology of B. impatiens in its introduced range, nor how it is impacting local native species. British Columbia is a biodiversity hotspot for wild bees, so understanding the impact of this introduction is important and urgent. Here, we examine the potential for resource competition between B. impatiens and four other common bumblebee species native to this region. We demonstrate that, although B. impatiens workers tend to emerge later than native Bombus species, diet overlap is strong. We also find that B. impatiens exhibits a preference for introduced plant species, suggesting potential avenues for ecological effects on the regional ecosystem.