New records for Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) on flowers of native plants in New Zealand

Abstract

The bumblebee Bombus terrestris was introduced to New Zealand in 1885 and since then has spread to become the most widespread of the four bumblebee species in New Zealand. The floral repertoire of B. terrestris is mostly introduced species, but the use of 47 native plant species was reported by Donovan. Here we increase the number of recorded native flowers used by B. terrestris in New Zealand by seven, to a total of 54, and discuss the potential implications of the usage of these flowers.