Pheromonal and enzyme genetic characteristics of the <i>Bombus lucorum</i> species complex in northern Europe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33338/ef.83908Abstract
Spatial and temporal distribution of the species in the Bombus lucorum species complex, B. lucorum (L.), B. cryptarum (Fabricius) and B. magnus Vogt, were studied in Finland. Morphological distinction between the species is not as clear as in Central Europe, but B. lucorum can be distinguished from the other two with the help of enzyme genetic markers. B. lucorum is the most common of the three species in most of Finland, and B. cryptarum is abundant in the southwestern coastal area and in northern Lapland. B. magnus was only rarely found among the spring queens in southwestern Finland, and its range possibly restricts to southern and central parts of Finland. A comparison of the chemical composition of the male labial glands and enzyme genotypes shows that males produce species-specific marking pheromones.
