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Preadaptation to the vertical: an extra dimension to the natural history and nesting habits of the Tree Bumble Bee, Bombus (Pyrobombus) hypnorum

O. Prŷs-Jones

Published 2019 in Journal of Apicultural Research

ABSTRACT

The Tree Bumble Bee, Bombus hypnorum, is a native of forest environments but has now successfully colonised urban areas. To better understand its success in an anthropogenic context, this review considers aspects of its natural history and nesting habits using a combination of published literature, anecdotal field observations by entomologists from a number of countries, and information from the BWARS database. Where man’s influence is minimal, B. hypnorum appears to nest almost exclusively in tree cavities. Modern woodlands tend to be managed and nest-cavity poor. Urban areas with gardens provide foraging opportunities together with a large supply of well-insulated and well-protected aboveground nest sites. B. hypnorum currently appears to do better in urban areas than managed woodlands, and quite possibly better than it ever did in primeval forest. In Britain, where it was first found in 2001, its notable success appears to reflect the absolute quantity of suitable anthropogenic, and specifically urban, nesting habitat. Conspicuous nest placement has resulted in more nest records for this recent arrival than exist for any native British bumble bee species. In “helping itself” to an anthropogenic nesting niche, B. hypnorum highlights how important appropriate nesting sites are in determining which bumble bee species can live in any given area. Detailed information on nest site preferences and availability needs to inform conservation measures for threatened native species.

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