Colletes bhutanicus Latest News

Recently, Colletes bhutanicus has been recorded for the first time in India from Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). 

About Colletes bhutanicus

• It is a rare solitary Himalayan plasterer bee, recorded from Arunachal Pradesh for the first time.
• The bee was found at elevations ranging from 1,500 metres to 3,800 metres.
• Distribution: It has been recorded from Bhutan and China, including the Xizang region.
• Features
  • Unlike honeybees, Colletes bees are solitary and do not live in large colonies.
  • Individual bees generally nest separately and play an important role in pollination by moving between flowers to collect pollen and nectar.
• The study found the bee visiting 25 flowering plant species belonging to 10 botanical families, including economically important crops such as mustard, buckwheat, coriander, beans, chilli and eggplant.

Ecological Role of Bees

• Honey bees are vital to agriculture because their pollination activities directly influence crop yields and quality.
• They are the main pollinators of plants. 
• They contribute significantly to maintaining biodiversity. By pollinating a diverse range of wild plants, honey bees help sustain the balance of ecosystems.
• Bees are sensitive to environmental changes, making them excellent bioindicators.

Source: TH

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