Distribution of bumblebee,bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith,and its association with flora in Lower Northern Pakistan

Prevalence and floral host plant range of indigenous bombus pollinators are considered to be important alternatives than the imported species. commercial enclosed farming has increased the use of the bumblebees as economically important pollinators for high economic return and offseason crops. indigenous bumblebee species has been considered important to rear and use for such pollination services than imported bumblebees to avoid possible environmental and pest problems. bombus haemorrhoidalis smith,the only bumblebee species of this region,was collected at monthly interval from different non-agricultural and agricultural flora of margalla and murree hills of pakistan during 2011-12. plant species for floral host plant resources,variation in seasonal population and distribution with different climatic regions of this indigenous bumblebee were observed. twenty four plant species of thirteen plant families were found as floral host plants visited for nectar and pollens with seven new localities ranging from 542-1986 m altitude. the most commonly visited plant family was asteraceae. reproductive stages including males and daughter queens were observed from october to december. prevalence of queen,workers and males differ from parks to forests with altitude. workers were observed active in early and late day hours to avoid harsh climate of june to august. present study provides the possible available floral host plants,variation in its availability of different life stages and possible distribution for future utilization in possible alternate pollinator rearing programs. it also focuses on the ecological and biological interaction of the only bumblebee pollinators of this agro-ecological zone of pakistan. copyright 2014 zoological society of pakistan.