Diversity of bumble bees, their molecular analysis and first report of Bombus hypnorum L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from Himachal Pradesh

Bumble bees are the primary pollinators and main service providers with more pollinator diversity and play a crucial role in ecosystem by delivering key pollination services which are required for all living organisms. Survey studies were conducted in five districts viz., Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Sirmaur and Solan under different agro climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh during April–October 2018, to know the diversity of bumble bees. Bumble bees were collected from different locations of these districts of Himachal Pradesh and were identified by using available taxonomic keys. Three bumble bee species identified from the surveyed locations were Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith, B. tunicatus Smith and B. hypnorum Linnaeus. Molecular studies showed that all the three bumble bee species found in Himachal Pradesh showed an insignificant interspecific variation in mitochondrial gene. This small-scale survey studies revealed that Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith was the most abundant and wide spread Bombus species as it was recorded from all five districts of Himachal Pradesh. One species B. hypnorum was recorded for the first time from Himachal Pradesh (Sirmaur).