description Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus hyperboreus) Overview
The Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee, Bombus hyperboreus, is a social-parasitic bumblebee with a circumpolar Arctic distribution. Its queen invades an established nest of another Arctic or alpine bumblebee, commonly Bombus polaris, and relies on the host workers to raise her reproductive offspring. Unlike most cuckoo bumblebees, B. hyperboreus retains pollen-collecting baskets, a feature noted in accounts of its biology.
It is studied as an adaptation to short breeding seasons in cold environments.
help Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus hyperboreus) FAQ
What is the Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee?
The Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee is Bombus hyperboreus, a social-parasitic bumblebee with a circumpolar Arctic distribution. It does not normally raise a full worker-producing colony of its own.
Which bumblebee does Bombus hyperboreus commonly parasitize?
Its queen commonly invades nests of another Arctic or alpine bumblebee, especially Bombus polaris. Host workers then raise the cuckoo bumblebee's reproductive offspring.
How does the Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee reproduce?
The queen enters an established host nest instead of starting a normal colony from scratch. She relies on the host workers to feed and care for her reproductive brood.
Where does Bombus hyperboreus live?
Bombus hyperboreus has a circumpolar Arctic distribution and also occurs in alpine environments. Its life cycle is closely tied to other Bombus species that provide the host nest.
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Similar to Arctic Cuckoo Bumblebee (Bombus hyperboreus)
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