Bombus dahlbomii
| Bombus dahlbomii | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Apidae |
| Genus: | Bombus |
| Species: | B. dahlbomii |
| Binomial name | |
|
Bombus dahlbomii Guérin-Méneville, 1835 |
|
Bombus dahlbomii is a species of bumblebee endemic to southern South American temperate forests.B. dahlbomii is one of the largest bee species in the world, with matured queens growing up to 40 mm (1.6 in) long. Because of its size and furry appearance, the species has been described as "flying mice" and "a monstrous fluffy ginger beast".
B. dahlbomii is native to southern South America (Patagonia, Southern Chile, Southern Argentina). The decline of its populations started with the introduction of Bombus terrestris and Bombus ruderatus into Chile to serve as commercial pollinators.B. dahlbomii population decline can also be attributed to the pathogen spillover of the parasitic protozoan Apicystis bombi, which was co-introduced with B. terrestris.
B. dahlbomii is an important insect in local ecosystems, such as the Maulino forest of central Chile. There, it is a major pollinator of native plants such as Lapageria rosea and Alstroemeria aurea, both of which serve important commercial purposes.
B. dahlbomii is classified under the kingdom Animalia, the subkingdom Bilateral, the phylum Arthropoda, the subphylum Hexapoda, the class Insecta, the order Hymenoptera, the suborder Apocrita, the superfamily Apoidea, the family Apidae, the subfamily Apinae, the tribe Bombini, and the genus Bombus. As a member of the order Hymenoptera, B. dahlbomii is related to other ants, bees, and wasps. Its family, Apidae, consists of honey bees, stingless bees, carpenter bees, bumblebees, orchid bees, and cuckoo bees. The tribe Bombini includes bristly bees that feed on nectar or pollen, and the genus Bombus is specific to bumblebees.
...
Wikipedia