The bumblebee Bombus terrestris was first sighted in Tasmania in 1992 and has since become established in some areas. This is the bumblebee species used extensively throughout North America, Europe, Japan, and New Zealand as an efficient pollinator.

There is considerable interest in Australia in the possible use of bumblebees to improve pollination of greenhouse vegetable and fruit crops, for market competitiveness. Serious concerns exist, however, about the possible deleterious effects that bumblebees may have on Australian flora and fauna.

In this three year project, they sought to answer the questions: what environmental impact has the bumblebee Bombus terrestris had on the native flora and fauna in Tasmania since its arrival in 1992, and what impact is this species likely to have on the native flora and fauna of mainland Australia and other current ecosystems, if it was introduced there to aid pollination of agricultural crops?

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund