The giant bumblebee or colorado faces a serious risk of extinction in Argentina and Chile, where it is native.
This native species, the largest in the world, has disappeared from more than 54% of its habitat in just 10 years.
This happened because the giant bumblebee is now a victim of an invasive species that brought devastating diseases.
Orange and furry, the Bombus Dahlbomii was for decades the great pollinator of native flora from central-northern to southern Chile and the Argentine Patagonia.
Until 25 years ago, its population was abundant, but the situation changed drastically.
“In the Chalhuaco Valley, where we had samples for more than 25 years, we haven’t seen it since 2007,” explained Marina Arbetman, a doctor in Biology at the Institute of Research in Biodiversity and Environment of the National University of Comahue.
In 2016, the species was classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The projection indicates that the population will continue to decline.
The culprit of the extinction: the European bumblebee
In 1997, the Chilean Agricultural and Livestock Service authorized the import of the European bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) to pollinate agricultural crops such as tomatoes and blueberries.
The species escaped from greenhouses, reproduced, and became a lethal threat.
“We found a relationship between the invasion of the European bumblebee and the transmission of diseases it brought, and possibly that is one of the causes of the disappearance of the native,” noted Arbetman.
The European bumblebee presents characteristics of a globally recognized invasive species.
Cecilia Smith-Ramírez, a Chilean biologist and doctor in Ecology, warned: “In addition to transmitting pathogens, it reproduces very quickly.”
Although only Chile authorized its entry, the invasive species reached Argentina and continues to spread. “towards the north of Chile and Argentina, and it will surely reach Peru and Brazil,” warned Arbetman.
The impact on the ecosystem of its extinction
The massive presence of the European bumblebee generates various problems in the ecosystem:
- Consumes large amounts of nectar, leaving less available for beekeepers
- When there are many specimens, they pierce the flowers instead of legitimately pollinating
- Causes physical damage to flowers, reducing their ability to reproduce
- Transmits diseases and parasites to honeybees and native bumblebees
Smith-Ramírez blamed the Chilean SAG and European companies: “The SAG has no commitment to native biodiversity.
All the analyses it conducts are biological controls to see if it will cause harm to agriculture, but not to biodiversity.”
In 2019, the SAG conducted an analysis that concluded the risk of Bombus terrestris introducing pathogens is high.
However, in 2020 it only adopted higher certifications and quarantine requirements.
The Chilean Ministry of the Environment classified the local species as endangered in 2016, identifying habitat fragmentation, pesticide contamination, climate change, and interactions with introduced species as factors.
Efforts to save the native bumblebee
Scientists and communities are developing initiatives to protect the giant bumblebee.
In Chile, the “Save our bumblebee” project invites people to send photographic records to create a sightings map.
In Argentina, “I saw a bumblebee” is a community project to monitor the status of native populations and the advance of invasive ones.
The bumblebee has a deep meaning for the Mapuche culture, where it represents the spirit of someone who has passed away.
Arbetman called on the population to plant native flowers in their gardens.
However, the scientists agree that the efforts have little chance of success as long as Chile allows the sale of the exotic species.
“We are trying to generate different strategies, but the first thing that should happen is to stop the import and production of the European bumblebee, because otherwise, it’s like trying to stop a flood with a bucket,” concluded Arbetman.
