Species Action Framework
Species for conservation action
GREAT YELLOW BUMBLEBEE
Species Background
The great yellow bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus) is a brownish-orange
bee with a conspicuous black stripe across the thorax. It is especially
associated with machair and other grasslands near the coast.
Why is this on the Species Action List?
The great yellow bumblebee meets criterion 1a of the Species Action Framework, as a species for conservation action. Formerly widespread in Britain, it is now restricted to north and west Scotland, and remains threatened by agricultural change. Its management requirements are fairly well understood, and there are recognised agricultural practices that could benefit this species. The habitats associated with the great yellow bumblebee, machair and neutral grassland, are important for a wide range of other species of conservation concern, such as corncrake, which would also benefit from management measures for this species. Action for the great yellow bumblebee could also raise awareness of the needs of other threatened bees in Scotland. It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List.
Habitat, distribution and abundance
The great yellow bumblebee is associated with extensive areas of herb-rich grasslands with a continuum of flowering plants throughout the flight period. It is mainly associated with wintergrazed pasture with no or little summer grazing. These grasslands support a large number of plant species with flowers having a long corolla, notably labiates, legumes such as red clover, and composites such as thistles and common knapweed - plants which are generally absent from improved or intensively managed ground. Formerly distributed throughout Britain, this bee is now restricted to northern and western Scotland, with the main sites in the Hebrides, Orkney, Sutherland and Caithness.
General ecology
Worker bees are relatively large, and their numbers per nest are low (20 - 50). Nests are constructed underground. Traditional Hebridean cattle-rearing regimes and rotational machair cropping provide suitable habitat for the great yellow bumblebee. It may be able to survive on small, scattered patches of forage, provided these patches supply food continuously through
History of decline, contributory factors and current threats
The great yellow bumblebee has experienced considerable range contraction in Britain since the 1960s. It is one of several bumblebees to have declined in range and abundance, probably because of habitat loss to modern agricultural practices. Although widespread in northern and central Europe and in Asia, it is declining in many other parts of its European range including Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Threats arise from heavy summer grazing, reduction in rotation period, fertilisation and adoption of silage and monoculture.
Action up to October 2009, and partners involved
Up to April 2007, a number of projects were undertaken to establish the distribution and status of this species, and to investigate its ecology and population genetics. Habitat assessment and management is also being carried out at various sites. Partners in this work were RSPB, the Aculeate Conservation Group (now Hymettus), the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the Glasgow Natural History Society and the Institute of Zoology.
In June 2008 a partnership between SNH, RSPB, Hymettus and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust was formed to take the work forward. These organisations were joined on the Steering Group by representatives of the Highland Council Ranger Service and the LBAP partnerships from Sutherland, Caithness, Orkney, Western Isles and Argyll.
Other web-based key sources of information:
- UKBAP Species Action Plan
- RSPB species account
SNH is not responsible for content of other websites
Distribution data from the NBN (National Biodiversity Network)
(Note that not all records may be shown, and records from areas where the species no longer occurs may also be given)
Publications
Websites of partners who have approved the SAF implementation plan
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