Commercial bumblebee rearing and its implications

Commercial rearing of Bumblebees started less than 10 years ago in the Netherlands and in Belgium when it became apparent that Bumblebee pollination could replace hand pollination of greenhouse tomatoes. Since that time Bumblebees pollination of greenhouse tomatoes occurs throughout the world. It appears that catching queens in spring nor the release of many colonies in tomato greenhouses have had a significant effect on the abundance of Bumblebees in nature. In Europe Bombus terrestris L. is the main species used for commercial pollination. Local species are used both in the US and Canada. Importing animal species or subspecies that are new to an area is very risky. Undesired characteristics, diseases or parasites may be imported as well. The risk is especially high if so little is known about the taxonomy, diseases and parasites as was the case with Bumblebees. In the area of distribution of Bombus terrestris mixing of subspecies has taken place and we are heading for a similar situation as is already the case in honeybees. A positive effect of the sudden economic importance of Bumblebees is that it has given an impulse to Bumblebee research. The availability of Bumblebee colonies year-round has made them to popular study objects. Several papers have been published on Bumblebee behavior and on pollination experiments with different crops. Progress has been made with respect to diseases, parasites and commensals. Toxicity tests have been developed and Bumblebees are now added to the list of beneficial insects that can be tested for undesireable side effects of pesticides.