Shrill carder bee (((Bombus sylvarum ) in Ireland

2020201020 101010

STATUS

World distribution

Palaearctic region

Conservation sstatustatus

Bombus sylvarum is declining across Northern Europe and is a Biodiversity Action Plan species in the UK. Declines in Britain have been more severe than in Ireland. The Burren, where the species is widespread but not common, now represents by far the most important location for the species within Ireland and Britain.

Red List status in Ireland (2006)

Endangered

Threat of extinction

Loss of unimproved flower-rich grasslands, field margins and hedgerows

The widespread replacement of hay with silage in the agricultural landscape, which results in earlier and more frequent mowing and a reduction in late summer wild flowers has played a major role in its decline.

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HABITAT & ECOLOGY

Habitat

Currently associated with unimproved flower rich grasslands, particularly in the Burren, but previously known from a wider range of flower rich habitat types.

Ecology

Long-tongued, late-emerging species associated with meadow floras and open grassy habitats. It feeds on a range of plants but has a long tongue and therefore forages flowers with long corollas because they can reach the nectar deep in the flower head. Requires extensive areas which support a variety of flowering plants, especially those in the Red and Knapweed families.

Flight period May to October but will be observed in greatest numbers in July-August when the worker brood is active.

Nests underground at low densities.

SURVEYING

How do I survey?

Ideally survey in July-August as this is when worker brood is most active. Does not require an expert.

Key Identification Features: Bombus sylvarum is grey-olive green in colour. It has a red-orange tail and a distinctive dark band on the thorax (queens, workers and males have the same colour pattern). It has a high pitched buzz during flight although this can be hard to distinguish without some experience.

If attempting to discover new populations it is recommended to check species rich grasslands, particularly if these occur in general areas where the species has previously or currently exists.

If I find a good population how should I assess it?

If you find a healthy B. sylvarum population (one where you see multiple workers foraging) then it would be very valuable to keep track of this population, ideally annually, but at least at 3 yearly intervals.

Carry out a walk through the site on a sunny day when temperatures are above 15°C and winds are not above 2 on the Beaufort scale. Record the time spent, the distance travelled, and number of bees observed. Also note what they are foraging on. Do not repeatedly survey the same areas or

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patches of flowers during the walk as this will increase the chance of double counting individuals.

This can used to generate an approximate index of abundance of the species at the site.

Where should I send information on the Shrill carder beebee????

Please send any information to the national bee database, maintained by the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

CONSERVATION

What does a site need to support Bombus sylvarum?

1. A range of forage sources throughout the flight period of the colony. Vetches, , Dead-nettles and Red Bartsia are essential sources of and nectar.

2. Good potential for nesting. Nests are established underground, sometimes in the disused nests of small mammals like mice.

3. Outside the Burren, other current populations of the species are extremely fragmented. Given the restricted normal dispersal capability of , it is unlikely to colonise new areas unless these are within close proximity to an existing site.

Can we learn from experiences elsewhere?

Bumblebee Conservation Trust (UK): http://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/

UK Biodiversity Action Plan: http://www.ukbap.org.uk/UKPlans.aspx?ID=156

Ellis, J.S., Knight, M.E., Darvill, B. and Goulson, D. (2006) Extremely low effective population sizes, genetic structuring and reduced genetic diversity in a threatened species, Bombus sylvarum (: ). MOLECULAR ECOLOGY 15: 4375–4386

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KNOWN DISTRIBUTION AND LOCATION OF KEY POPULATIONS

Where exactly does the species cucurrentlyrrently occur in IrelandIreland????

Known distribution (recorded since 1980) –

COUNTY LOCATION GRID DATE LAST RECORDER CURRENT STATUS: REFERENCEREFERENCE(S)(S)(S)(S) RECORDED 20102010----20152015

Co. Limerick Aughinish, R275515, 23/08/2005 Veronica Unknown (2010) Askeaton R277532, Santorum R278516, R282523, R284515

Near Askeaton R295485, 24/08/2005 Veronica Unknown (2010) R295506, Santorum; R296483 Úna

FitzPatrick & Andrew Byrne

Co. Clare Shores of L. R364964 04/08/2004 Úna Unknown (2010) Bunny Fitzpatrick &

Andrew Byrne

Turloughmore R3599 20/08/1994 Brian Nelson Unknown (2010)

Knockans Lower R328986, 30/08/2004 John Breen Recorded Data R329985 Centre Bumblebee Blitz (24/07/2010): J. Breen

Carrownamadra- R290937, 30/08/2004 John Breen Recorded Data Gortlecka R298941, Centre Bumblebee R306945 Blitz (24/07/2010): J. Breen

Fahee R3099 27/07/2002 BWARS Unknown (2010)

Carron R2899 09/09/2004 John Breen Not found during Perfumery Data Centre

Bumblebee Blitz (24-25/07/2010)

Mogouhy R272982 25/07/2010 Stephen Recorded in 2010 Commons McCormack

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Sheshymore R245957 09/09/2004 John Breen Unknown (2010)

Craggycoradan R102988 18/08/2004 John Breen Unknown (2010)

Cahermaclancy R087990 05/08/2003 Mark Brown Unknown (2010)

Bridges of Ross Q7349 27/07/2003 John Breen Unknown (2010)

Graggan East M220039 09/09/2004 John Breen Unknown (2010)

Fanore More M142080 05/09/2004 John Breen Unknown (2010)

Derreen M1003 05/08/2003 Mark Brown Unknown (2010)

Ballyryan M088018 18/08/2004 John Breen Unknown (2010) (Poulsallagh)

Co. Offaly Pilgrims Road, N014307, 29/08/2005 Úna Unknown (2010) Clonmacnoise N021311 Fitzpatrick &

Andrew Byrne; Rob Paxton

Co. Killeglan M867425 30/07/2004 Tomás Unknown (2010) Roscommon Murray

Co. Wexford Southknock, S713267 13/08/2009 Úna Unknown (2010) New Ross Fitzpatrick

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How is it faring on key sites?

Based primarily on 2004-2005 data, sites that still have healthy populations are Askeaton, Co. Limerick; Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly; and the Burren, Co. Clare where the species appears widespread but not common. Within the Burren key known sites are: Lough Bunny, Knockans Lower, Gortnalecka meadows, Mogouhy Commons & Fanore More.

Key sites (based Grid reference(s) Index of abundance Comments primarily on 20042004---- data 2005 data)

Askeaton, Co. Limerick R2751; R2753; No current data R2852; R2851 (2010)

Clonmacnoise , Co. N0130 No current data Offaly (2010)

Lough Bunny, Co. Clare R3696 No current data (2010)

Knockans Lower, Co. R3298 No current data Clare (2010)

Gortnalecka meadows, R2994 No current data Co. Clare (2010)

Mogouhy C ommons, R2798 No current data Co. Clare (2010)

Fanore More, Co. Clare M1408 No current data (2010)

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