An URBAN bumblebee from France has spread rapidly through the UK because of its preference for built-up areas, research has shown.
Scientists believe the tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum, could become an important fruit pollinator while posing no threat to native bee populations.
They were more likely to visit species of flowering trees and thistles and to ignore common flowers.
The tree bumblebee is widespread throughout Europe and Asia but made its first appearance in Hampshire's New Forest in 2001.
Now it has spread to nearly all parts of England and Wales, as well as southern Scotland.
Unusually, the insect likes to build its nests above ground, seeking out holes in walls as well as trees. They are also known to nest in empty bird boxes.
Experts believe this is why it has made itself so at home in densely populated Britain's towns and villages.
In 42 rural and urban sites in Norfolk, tree bumblebees were found in built-up areas, and close to woodland.
Lead researcher Liam Crowther, from the University of East Anglia's School of Biological Sciences, said: "The study suggests that urban and suburban areas may be facilitating the tree bumblebee's remarkably rapid natural colonisation of the UK."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article