Pheromonal and enzyme genetic characteristics of the <i>Bombus lucorum</i> species complex in northern Europe

Abstract

Spatial and temporal distribution of the species in the Bombus lucorum species complex, B. lucorum (L.), B. cryptarum (Fabricius) and B. magnus Vogt, were studied in Finland. Morphological distinction between the species is not as clear as in Central Europe, but B. lucorum can be distinguished from the other two with the help of enzyme genetic markers. B. lucorum is the most common of the three species in most of Finland, and B. cryptarum is abundant in the southwestern coastal area and in northern Lapland. B. magnus was only rarely found among the spring queens in southwestern Finland, and its range possibly restricts to southern and central parts of Finland. A comparison of the chemical composition of the male labial glands and enzyme genotypes shows that males produce species-specific marking pheromones.

Bumblebees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, <i>Bombus</i> Latr.) of the thermal spring Pymvashor, north-east of European Russia

“…It is most likely that B. cryptarum is represented at Pymvashor. Rasmont and Iserbyt (2010) note that "according to Pamilo et al (1997) and to many personal observations, B. cryptarum may totally supplant B. lucorum north of the Arctic Circle".…”

Recognition and identification of species in theBombus lucorum-complex – A review and outlook

“…The confirmation of a third species with biochemical methods remained open for some time (Obrecht and Scholl 1984, Scholl et al 1990, Scholl et al 1992, Pamilo et al 1997, probably due to the similar enzyme genetic profiles of B. cryptarum and B. magnus. However, it is likely that the samples of B. cryptarum and B. magnus used for analyses were mixed, a point that Bertsch et al (2004) presupposed for Pamilo et al (1997). With recurring theme, the morphometric attempts of Baker (1996) were of restricted value, since B. cryptarum was not considered as a separate species and the same applies for Macdonald (1999).…”

“…In contrast, the fact that all species can be found to live sympatrically in various lowland habitats in greater parts of Europe means that altitude cannot be the determining factor for the species distribution. However, the association of B. cryptarum with the high altitudes of the Alps and the observation of Pamilo et al (1997) that B. cryptarum/B. magnus becomes predominant in northernmost Finland gives a reasonable background to study decisive factors that change with increasing altitude and latitude.…”

Bumblebee assemblages (Hymenoptera, Apidae) of ruderal habitats in the Kola Peninsula, NW Russia

“…Bumblebee assemblages in the other areas of the Kola Peninsula have not been studied, and the surrounding regions (the northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden) also are poorly studied in this respect. There are some data from papers of Pekkarinen et al (1981), Ranta (1982), Pamilo et al (1997), etc. Most of the Scandinavian research relates to the southern part of Fennoscandia.…”

“…Bombus magnus is common in Europe, especially in the Atlantic region; this species is unknown in Asia (Williams et al 2012;Rasmont & Iserbyt 2014). In Finland B. cryptarum is abundant in Northern Lapland, B. magnus is restricted, mainly, to the southern part of the country, and B. lucorum is common in southern and central parts of Finland (Pamilo et al 1997). Bombus cryptarum supplant B. lucorum and B. magnus north of the Arctic Circle (Rasmont & Iserbyt 2014).…”