Patagonia’s 4cm Moscardón Bumblebee Wins Invertebrate Nomination as Invasive European Species Drive Decline
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 9
Patagonia’s 4cm Moscardón Bumblebee Wins Invertebrate Nomination as Invasive European Species Drive Decline
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 9
Summary
Bombus dahlbomii, the giant Patagonian “flying mouse” bumblebee, was nominated for invertebrate of the year as attention turns to its shrinking numbers in Chile and Argentina.
Two invasive European bumblebees introduced to Chile for crop pollination since the 1980s have spread across Patagonia, outcompeting the native species and carrying pathogens that are decimating its populations.
At up to 4cm long and 1.5g in weight, the moscardón is the world’s largest bumblebee and a key pollinator of native plants, including the Chilean bellflower, whose red blooms it can detect with a specialized receptor system.
Researchers developing bioacoustic tools to study the endangered bee say field surveys found only a handful, while the invasive species are now too widespread to eradicate and are also helping European weeds spread.