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<font size=2>Morales, C. L., et al. (2013). "Rapid ecological
replacement of a native bumble bee by invasive species."
<u>Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</u> <b>11</b>(10):
529-534.<br><br>
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Despite rising global concerns over the potential impacts of non-native
bumble bee (Bombus spp) introductions on native species, large-scale and
long-term assessments of the consequences of such introductions are
lacking. Bombus ruderatus and Bombus terrestris were sequentially
introduced into Chile and later entered Argentina's Patagonian region. A
large-scale survey in Patagonia reveals that, in 5 years post-arrival,
the highly invasive B terrestris has become the most abundant and
widespread Bombus species, and its southward spread is concurrent with
the geographic retraction of the only native species, Bombus dahlbomii.
Furthermore, a 20-year survey of pollinators of the endemic herb
Alstroemeria aurea in northern Patagonia indicates that B ruderatus and B
terrestris have replaced B dahlbomii, formerly the most abundant
pollinator. Although the decline's underlying mechanisms remain unknown,
the potential roles of exploitative competition and pathogen
co-introduction cannot be ruled out. Given that invasive bumble bees can
rapidly extirpate native congeners, further introductions should be
discouraged.<br><br>
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