Translocate bumblebee colonies in nest boxes

Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
Number of studies: 3
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Key messages

We have captured three small trials in the 1950s and early 1960s testing the effect of translocating bumblebee colonies in nest boxes. Two trials in Canada provided evidence of queen death and one of these showed lower colony productivity following translocation. Just one, a UK trial, concluded that early bumblebee Bombus pratorum colonies adapt well to being moved.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

An unspecified number of red-belted bumblebee Bombus rufocinctus colonies in wooden nest boxes were translocated an unspecified distance from their original site to a crop field, in southern Alberta, Canada, once the first brood of workers had begun foraging (Hobbs et al. 1960). Some workers were lost and queens began foraging for nectar. Two queens were killed as a result of returning to the wrong nest. Colonies that were moved raised an average of four new queen cocoons (range 4-9), while colonies that were not moved raised on average 22 new queen cocoons (range 17-27).
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Hobbs G.A., , & Nummi W.O. (1960) Establishment of Bombus spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in artificial domiciles in Southern Alberta. The Canadian Entomologist, 92, 868-872.
Five colonies of the early bumblebee B. pratorum housed in wooden boxes were experimentally translocated in Hertfordshire, southern England (Free 1955). Colonies were moved six miles (9.7 km), 80 yards (73 m), seven yards (6.4 m) or three inches (7.6 cm) from the original site. Apart from the smallest translocation distance, some foraging workers were lost due to each translocation. Between 71% and 92% of foraging workers returned to the nest at the new site eventually.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Free J.B. (1955) The adaptability of bumblebees to a change in the location of their nest. British Journal of Animal Behaviour, 3, 61-65.
On seven occasions in spring 1960 and 1961, an unspecified number of colonies of long-tongued bumblebee species B. appositus, B. californicus and B. nevadensis were moved, overnight, up to six miles away just after the first brood of workers had emerged, in southern Alberta, Canada (Hobbs et al. 1962). An empty box with a one-way door was placed on the old site for two hours the following morning. On one occasion, half the workers from a colony of B. californicus were out when the colony was moved and captured in the trap. On the other six occasions, few workers were left behind. Several queens (at least eight) were killed after translocation by re-entering the wrong nest box. The authors recommend delaying translocation until the second brood has emerged and the queen no longer forages.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Hobbs G.A., Nummi W.O. & Virostek J.F. (1962) Managing colonies of bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) for pollination purposes. The Canadian Entomologist, 94, 1121-1132.

Please cite as:

Dicks, L.V., Showler, D.A. & Sutherland, W.J. (2010) Bee conservation: evidence for the effects of interventions. Pelagic Publishing, Exeter, UK

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Bee Conservation

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
Rear and manage populations of solitary bees Action Link	Awaiting assessment	9	Synopsis Link
Translocate bumblebee colonies in nest boxes Action Link	Awaiting assessment	3	Synopsis Link
Reintroduce laboratory-reared bumblebee colonies to the wild Action Link	Awaiting assessment	8	Synopsis Link