Hitchhiking with the Vikings? The anthropogenic bumblebee fauna of Iceland – past and present
2016
Prŷs-Jones, Oliver E. | Kristjánsson, Kristján | Erling Ólafsson,
The number of bumblebee species found in Iceland has doubled from three to six in 35 years. This paper considers the colonisation of Iceland by bumblebees; updates information on Bombus (Pyrobombus) jonellus (Kirby), B. (Megabombus) hortorum (L.) and B. (Bombus) lucorum (L.); presents findings for two new colonists, B . (Pyrobombus) hypnorum (L.) and B. (Thoracobombus) pascuorum (Scopoli); and considers the arrival of another species, B. (Pyrobombus) pratorum (L.), that may have become established. The context of bumblebee dispersal to remote islands is considered. Many of the restricted number of insect species that have colonised North Atlantic islands have done so in association with man. B. (Bombus) terrestris (L.) has been used as a pollinator in glasshouses in Iceland since 1994, and it may also have become naturalised. Barcoding is needed to check the identity of some specimens. B. jonellus has probably been present for at least several hundred years; genetic studies should help determine whether the timescale for its arrival is compatible with an anthropogenic origin. It is suggested that consideration is given to ways of reducing both unintended introduction of bumblebee species with cargo, and the release and disease risk of those imported intentionally for commercial use.
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