Ecology, Diversity and Conservation Implication of Bees and Wasps (Hymenoptera: Aculeata) in North Central Bhutan

Kinley Tenzin


Other projects

23 Jan 2017

Inventory and Conservation of Bees and Wasps in Western Bhutan

To determine species diversity, study habitat type and behaviour, assess the current and potential threats for conservation of Bees and Wasps and to prepare publicity and advisory materials.

queen paper wasp.JPG

Hymenoptera is the commonest, most diverse of all the terrestrial organisms and perhaps the most important insects for mankind (kannagi et al, 2013). Bees (super-family Apoidea) and wasps (super-familyVespoidea) (aculeate Hymenoptera excluding ants) play a significant role in terrestrial ecosystems as pollinators, bio-control agents, scavengers, predator and parasitoids of arthropods and the balancing and sustaining of natural ecosystem.

An insect of the Order Hymenoptera were well studied worldwide. Hitherto no single study has been done and their importance in ecosystem is not concerned humanly in the country. It is ambiguous whether some of the non formicid aculeate species were threatened, still exist or declined due to collection and consumption, anthropogenic disturbances in their habitat or due to natural phenomenon. Some species seen earlier cannot be spotted at present and not seen abundantly as before. As such it is viewed imperative to start with the study of ecology, determination of species diversity and assess conservation status of these fragile insects.

The study will be carried out by means of several approaches such as social interview followed by the “opportunistic visual encounter”, “Pollard Walk method” and “Standard Line Transect”. Different trapping methods will be used; live photograph in their natural habitat and specimens will be taken. Identifications will be done with the help of photographic guides, taxonomic literature and internet references; consult experts and take specimen to the laboratory for further identification.

Bhutan is anticipated to have very rich diversity of bees and wasps despite smallness of its geographical area. The country is considered conservation bastion of the Eastern Himalaya and recognized as one of the global biodiversity hotspots. This will be the first examination on fauna of bees and wasps in the country with the aim to determine species diversity, species richness and abundance by collecting and documenting the bees and wasps of North central Bhutan. The current and potential threats for the conservation will be assessed. Second aim is to prepare publicity and advisory materials through publication scientific paper and making the resources available online where by information will be disseminated to society at all level. The ultimate goal is to educate and transmit information to the local people, students, teachers and forest officials. The expected outcome is to establish baseline information for the scientific study on Hymenopteran fauna, publish pictorial field guide books and help frame rules to effectively control collection and hunting of these insects and its conservation.

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