Peter Fuller has just advised the list of the potential threat of
introducing the exotic bumblebee Bombus terrestris onto the Australian
mainland.
Some list members may be aware that the bumblebee has already arrived in
Tasmania (from New Zealand?) and has subsequently spread into every habitat
type on the island.
'The introduction and spread of the large earth bumblebee Bombus terrestris
L. into Victorian terrestrial environments' has been listed as a
potentially threatening process under the Victorian Flora and Fauna
Guarantee Act. Copies of the Final Recommendation Report which preceeded
this listing are available to interested parties by contacting me directly.
The recommendation report makes specific mention of the threat posed to
Australian honeyeaters and other nectar-loving native fauna. So called
'sleeper weeds' also get a mention in relation to this new pollinator.
I can send a copy of the short report (as a pdf file) to anyone interested.
cheers
Web references
Useful link to bumblebee introduction into Australia -
http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ktp/unsuccessful/bumblebees.html
The Possible Introduction of Bumblebees for Pollination of Horticulture Crops
in Australia - http://www.tmag.tas.gov.au/workshop/proceedings.html
What harm could exotic bumblebees do in Australia -
http://www.zeta.org.au/~anbrc/bumblebeeharm.html
Invasive Species Council - http://www.invasives.org.au/issues/bbees.htm
Bumblebees: environmental pests or harmless immigrants? -
http://www.tct.org.au/n26l.htm
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer, Scientific Advisory Committee
Department of Sustainability and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde. (PO Box 500), East Melbourne 3002
Tel: 9412 4567
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
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