Distribution of Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith and its Interrelationship with Host Plants in Chitwan Annapurna Landscape of Central Nepal

Abstract

Occurrence and variety of flowering host plant of native Bombus pollinators are viewed as basic
alternatives than the imported species. The use of native bumblebee species for pollination was
considered more significant than imported bumblebees to reduce environmental impact and pest
problems. B. haemorrhoidalis is the most dominant species of Chitwan Annapurna Landscape in
agricultural and wild flora during April to September 2019. We followed assessable walking trails
and used insect net for sample collection. The effect of different environmental variables on the floral
host plant resources of this native bumblebee was examined. With eight locations ranging from 1407
to 2506 meters above sea level, twenty-seven species of seventeen plant families were identified as
pollen and nectar foraging host plants. B haemorrhidalis distribution frequency is correlated with
relative humidity (0.07438968) and altitude (0.495657857). The most visited plant family was
Balsaminaceae and plant was Imatian scrabida. This study gives the knowledge of abundance of host
plants, ecological and biological relationship of the B. haemorrhoidalis in Nepal