Thursday 22 November 2012

Rare bumblebee spotted in south-east London


One of the UK's most threatened bumblebees, which has been in decline in southern England over the past century, has been spotted in south-east London.

A shrill carder bumblebee was spotted at Crossness sewage works in Thamesmead by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

It said plants would be introduced to encourage the species following the discovery last month.

The bee has not been seen in the city for nearly 10 years.

Great sighting
There are only six or seven populations in England and Wales.

Anthony McCluskey, outreach officer at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: "This species is considered the most rare in the UK.

"The great yellow bumblebee comes next which is only found in Scotland."

He added: "The populations are quite small and far apart."

He said that inbreeding among bees leads to "diploid males" and male infertility.

Sam Page, conservation officer at the trust, was advising on land management for bumblebees funded by the Co-operative's Plan Bee campaign when she made the discovery.


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