[Pollinator] Introducing pollinators to new areas?

[John S. Ascher]

Hi all,

I am writing to clarify the probable cause of recent declines in subgenus
Bombus and to make a few comments on deliberately introduced invasive
bees.

The abrupt, recent declines in Bombus s.str. are thought to be due to
spread of an exotic pathogen (quite possibly a strain of Nosema) or
pathogens, so the effects of introduced bees are likely indirect in this
case. There is no evidence for direct competition between Bombus s.str.
and  escaped or released managed bumble bees. Another noteworthy indirect
effect has been loss of the social parasite Bombus (Psithyrus) ashtoni
from areas where its Bombus s.str. host(s) have disappeared.

Recent collecting by Sam Droege and others reveal that Osmia cornifrons
and Anthophora plumipes, both deliberately introduced by USDA scientists,
are well established in Maryland and vicinity. Osmia cornifrons is also 
widely distributed in New York state and elsewhere in natural and urban
(non-orchard and therefore non-target) ecosystems to the extent that it
could reasonably be classified as invasive species. Osmia cornifrons and
especially Anthophora plumipes were well known to be generalist species
prior to their release.

Also of interest, a Japanese torymid parasitoid of Osmia (including our
native species) and another Japanese Osmia species (O. taurus) have been
found in Maryland near the release site of O. cornifrons from Japan.

John Ascher




> Hi all,
>
> Some work has been done on the effects of introduced bees on native
> pollinators.
>  The following is a good paper that reviews most of the potential negative
> effects:
>
> Goulson, D. (2003) EFFECTS OF INTRODUCED BEES ON NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS. Annual
> Review of Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Vol. 34: 1-26.
>
> Although it has proved to be difficult to study these impacts directly,
> there is
> a growing consensus that native pollinators have been declining and the
> commercial use of bees may be a significant factor.  For example, the
> native
> North American bumble bees of the subgenus Bombus (ie. B. terricola, B.
> affinis
> and B. occidentalis) are thought to be declining throughout their ranges
> and the
> timing of this decline is almost exactly when the use of bumble bees for
> greenhouse pollination expanded in North America.  There have also been
> studies
> done on small scales that show outcompetition of native bees by introduced
> bees.
>  Unfortunately, it seems likely that the naturalization of exotic bees
> would
> almost always negatively impact native pollinators!
> ­
> --
> Sheila Colla <scolla at yorku.ca>
> MSc. Candidate (Biology)
> Room 209, Lumbers Building
> Biology Department
> York University
> 4700 Keele St.
> Toronto, ON
> M3J 1P3
>
>
>
> Quoting Lucy_Jordan at fws.gov:
>
>> See this link.  I am interested in thoughts about transporting
>> pollinators
>> from place to place for naturalizing.  Has anyone looked at the effects
>> on
>> native, local pollinators?  Or on changes in plant species relationships
>> due to facilitated pollination of certain species?
>>
>> http://www.pollinatorparadise.com/Solitary_Bees/Solitar.htm
>>
>>
>> Dr. Lucy A. Jordan
>> Fish & Wildlife Biologist
>> U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
>> Utah Ecological Services Office
>> 2369 W. Orton Circle (2300 South), Suite 50
>> West Valley City, Utah 84119
>> Phone:     (801) 975-3330
>> Fax:         (801) 975-3331
>> email:       lucy_jordan at fws.gov
>>
>> Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a
>> mistake
>> when you make it again.
>>
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>>
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>


-- 
John S. Ascher, Ph.D.
Bee Database Project Manager
Division of Invertebrate Zoology
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West @ 79th St.
New York, NY 10024-5192
work phone: 212-496-3447
mobile phone: 917-407-0378