Cited by 1,183Plant and animal studiesInsect and Pesticide ResearchInsect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

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Decline and Conservation of Bumble Bees

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Goulson, D., Lye, G.C., Darvill, B.·2008·Annual Review of Entomology

DOI 10.1146/annurev.ento.53.103106.093454

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Abstract

Declines in bumble bee species in the past 60 years are well documented in Europe, where they are driven primarily by habitat loss and declines in floral abundance and diversity resulting from agricultural intensification. Impacts of habitat degradation and fragmentation are likely to be compounded by the social nature of bumble bees and their largely monogamous breeding system, which renders their effective population size low. Hence, populations are susceptible to stochastic extinction events and inbreeding. In North America, catastrophic declines of some bumble bee species since the 1990s are probably attributable to the accidental introduction of a nonnative parasite from Europe, a result of global trade in domesticated bumble bee colonies used for pollination of greenhouse crops. Given the importance of bumble bees as pollinators of crops and wildflowers, steps must be taken to prevent further declines. Suggested measures include tight regulation of commercial bumble bee use and targeted use of environmentally comparable schemes to enhance floristic diversity in agricultural landscapes.

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Biodiversity of Flora and Fauna
Bretzel, F., Vannucchi, F., Benvenuti, S., & Rumble, H. (2017) · Urban agriculture · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-57720-3_14 · Cited by 7
Flower Visitation through the Lens: Exploring the Foraging Behaviour of Bombus terrestris with a Computer Vision-Based Application
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Maine’s Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)—Part 2: Comparisons of a Common (Bombus ternarius) and a Rare (Bombus terricola) Species
Butler, R. G., Lage, C. R., Dobrin, S. E., Staples, J. K., Venturini, E., Frank, J., & Drummond, F. A. (2021) · Environmental Entomology · doi:10.1093/ee/nvab100 · Cited by 6
Long-term changes in the composition and distribution of the Hungarian bumble bee fauna (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus)
Jakab, D. A., Tóth, M., Szarukán, I., Szanyi, S., Józan, Z., Sárospataki, M., & Nagy, A. (2023) · Journal of Hymenoptera Research · doi:10.3897/jhr.96.99002 · Cited by 6
Neither sulfoxaflor, Crithidia bombi, nor their combination impact bumble bee colony development or field bean pollination
Straw, E. A., Cini, E., Gold, H., Linguadoca, A., Mayne, C., Rockx, J., Brown, M. J. F., Garratt, M. P. D., Potts, S. G., & Senapathi, D. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-43215-6 · Cited by 7
Harnessing community science to conserve and study ground-nesting bee aggregations
Kueneman, J. G., Dobler, C. N., & Danforth, B. N. (2024) · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · doi:10.3389/fevo.2023.1347447 · Cited by 6
“…to climate change, have consistently reported declines in bee populations, with shorter-term assessments at local, regional, or country levels (Biesmeijer et al., 2006; Goulson et al., 2008; Bartomeus et al., 2013; Ollerton, 2017; Powney et al., 2019; Simanonok et al., 2021; Janousek et al., 2023).”
Diversity of bumble bees and butterflies in Minnesota roadsides depends on floral diversity and abundance but not floral native status
Darst, A. L., Mitchell, T. S., Verhoeven, M. R., Evans, E. C., Tonsfeldt, L., Kjaer, S. J., & Snell‐Rood, E. C. (2024) · Insect Conservation and Diversity · doi:10.1111/icad.12739 · Cited by 6
“Thus, even non-native flowers in roadsides may provide foraging resources for butterflies and bumble bees (Goulson et al., 2008; Jain et al., 2016; Seitz et al., 2020).”
Butterfly diversity in relation to the CORINE land cover of the Culuccia Peninsula (Sardinia, Italy)
Annessi, M., Marzialetti, F., Marconi, M., Acosta, A. T. R., & Giulio, A. D. (2025) · Journal of Insect Conservation · doi:10.1007/s10841-025-00654-y · Cited by 6
“…responsible for such decline are land-use change, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation (Steffan-Dewenter et al. 2002; Hendrickx et al. 2007; Goulson et al. 2008; Winfree et al. 2009), the reckless use of pesticides and environmental pollution (Kevan et al. 1997; Rortais et al. 2005), the…”
The Acute Oral Toxicity of Commonly Used Pesticides in Iran, to Honeybees (Apis Mellifera Meda)
Rasuli, F., Nazemi-Rafie, J., & Sadeghi, A. (2015) · Journal of Apicultural Science · doi:10.1515/jas-2015-0007 · Cited by 6
“In the last 40 years, non-Apis species, such as bumblebees, are decreasing in great quantities (Goulson et al., 2008).”
Background
Food for honeybees? Pollinators and seed set of Anthyllis barba-jovis L. (Fabaceae) in arid coastal areas of the Mediterranean basin
Benelli, G., Benvenuti, S., Scaramozzino, P. L., & Canale, A. (2017) · Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.018 · Cited by 6
“Indeed, a continuous and readily available supply of food is crucial for their successful establishment and growth (Goulson et al., 2008).”
Background
Colour patterns, distribution and food plants of the Asian bumblebee Bombus bicoloratus (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Ding, G., Zhang, S., Huang, J., Naeem, M., & An, J. (2019) · Apidologie · doi:10.1007/s13592-019-00648-1 · Cited by 6
Pollinator Communities of Restored Sandhills: a Comparison of Insect Visitation Rates to Generalist and Specialist Flowering Plants in Sandhill Ecosystems of Central Florida
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“…other, often nonnative ones, that accompany urbanization can disrupt interactions between plants and their pollinators (Aizen and Feinsinger 2003; Goulson et al. 2008; Potts et al. 2010; Winfree et al. 2011; Geslin et al. 2013; Kerr et al. 2015), potentially impacting a critical ecosystem…”
Background
Results of Ring-Testing of a Semifield Study Design to Investigate Potential Impacts of Crop Protection Products on Bumblebees (Hymenoptera, Apidae) and a Proposal of a Potential Test Design
Klein, O., Roessink, I., Elston, C., Franke, L. A., Jütte, T., Knäbe, S., Lückmann, J., van der Steen, J., Allan, M. J., Alscher, A., et al. (2022) · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry · doi:10.1002/etc.5430 · Cited by 6
“, 2010), including bumblebees (e.g., Cameron et al., 2011; Goulson et al., 2008; Potts et al., 2016; Rasmont & Mersch, 1988), and plant protection products have been identified as one of the potential factors involved (e.”
Background
Verges Along Forest Roads Promote Wild Bees
Eckerter, T., Erbacher, J., Wolf, W., Braunisch, V., & Klein, A. (2022) · Forest Science · doi:10.1093/forsci/fxac059 · Cited by 5
Rodent odour bait: A new bumble bee conservation tool to enhance nest box occupancy
Varner, E., Mark, K., Jackson, H. M., Singleton, K., Luo, L., Johnson, S. A., Gries, R. M., & Gries, G. (2023) · Insect Conservation and Diversity · doi:10.1111/icad.12627 · Cited by 6
“Populations of bumble bees in western Europe and North America have declined in recent decades (Cameron et al., 2011; Goulson et al., 2008), with metadata analyses indicating that population trends are highly species-specific (Jackson et al.”
BackgroundInfluential
Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships of commercial populations of Bombus ignitus (Hymenoptera, Apidae) with wild populations in Eastern Asia
Namin, S. M., Huang, J., An, J., & Jung, C. (2023) · Journal of Hymenoptera Research · doi:10.3897/jhr.96.102569 · Cited by 6
Bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) community structure on two sagebrush steppe sites in southern Idaho
Cook, S. P., Birch, S. M., Merickel, F. W., Lowe, C. C., & Page‐Dumroese, D. S. (2011) · The Pan-Pacific Entomologist · doi:10.3956/2010-31.1 · Cited by 6
Local changes in communities of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea, Apiformes): 30 years later
Banaszak, J., & Ratyńska, H. (2014) · Polskie Pismo Entomologiczne · doi:10.2478/pjen-2014-0025 · Cited by 6
“…two decades (COLLINS 1987, COLLINS & WELLS 1987, GAULD et al. 1990, DAY 1991, O’TOOLE 1993, WILLIAMS 1982, 1986, RASMONT et al. 1993, PEKKARINEN 1999, BANASZAK 1997, BANASZAK et al. 2003, GOULSON et al. 2005, 2008, MARLIN & LABERGE 2001, DARVILL et al. 2006, KOSIOR et al. 2007, W.A. BANASZAK 2005).”
Background
POLLEN CARRIED BY Euglossa nigropilosa MOURE (APIDAE: EUGLOSSINAE) AT LA PLANADA NATURE RESERVE, NARINO, COLOMBIA.
Otero, J. T., Campuzano, A. M., Mejia-Zuluaga, P. A., & Caetano, C. M. (2015) · Cited by 6
Spatial analysis of the benefits and burdens of ecological focus areas for water-related ecosystem services vulnerable to climate change in Europe
Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Green, A., & Lewis, K. A. (2018) · Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change · doi:10.1007/s11027-018-9807-y · Cited by 6
“The principal objective of these European EFAs is to contribute towards maintaining and enhancing biodiversity (EC 2013c), driven by the historic decline in farmland biodiversity (Chamberlain et al. 2000; Cresswell 2010; Donald et al. 2001; Goulson et al. 2008; Newton 2004; Temple and Terry 2007).”
Background
Spatial allocation without spatial recruitment in bumblebees
Incorvaia, D. C., Hintze, A., & Dyer, F. C. (2020) · Behavioral Ecology · doi:10.1093/beheco/araa125 · Cited by 6
Organic winter cereals benefit bumblebee colonies in agricultural landscapes with mass‐flowering crops
Gayer, C., Biermann, A., Dieterich, M., Reidl, K., & Batáry, P. (2021) · Insect Conservation and Diversity · doi:10.1111/icad.12478 · Cited by 6
“…are abundant pollinators in agricultural landscapes, but severe declines have been reported for several species as a result of local and landscape-wide intensification of farming practice, which led to habitat loss and a sharp decrease of floral resources (Goulson 2003; Goulson et al. 2008).”
Background
Nutritionally rich wildflower patches adjacent to nutritionally deficient crops significantly increase pollination services
Capera-Aragones, P., Foxall, E., & Tyson, R. C. (2022) · Ecological Modelling · doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.109935 · Cited by 6
High Genetic Diversity and Gene Flow Detected in Populations of Bombus morio from South Brazil
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Plant Reproductive Ecology.
Kephart, S. R., Willson, M. F., & Burley, N. T. (1985) · Systematic Botany · doi:10.2307/2418601 · Cited by 6
The effects of livestock grazing and habitat type on plant-pollinator communities of British Columbia's endangered shrubsteppe
Elwell, S. L. (2012) · Summit (Simon Fraser University) · Cited by 6
Systematic review of cuckoo bumblebee research reveals data gaps and understudied species
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“…due to an array of anthropogenic impacts such as land use change, habitat degradation, pollution, competition with non-native species, pesticide use, and industrial agriculture (Arbetman et al., 2017; Goulson et al., 2008; Kosior et al., 2007; Potts et al., 2010; Williams & Osborne, 2009).”
Background
A metabarcoding framework for wild bee assessment in Luxembourg
Herrera‐Mesías, F., Jarboui, I. K. E., & Weigand, A. M. (2022) · Journal of Hymenoptera Research · doi:10.3897/jhr.94.84617 · Cited by 5
Non-compliance with the World Trade Organization agreements by exporters of the European bumblebee, Bombus terrestris
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“Unfortunately, instead of changing agricultural practices toward sustainable food production, supplementation with domesticated pollinators (e.g., the western honey bee, Apis mellif-era ) has usually been the chosen answer to resolve pollination needs (Goulson, Lye, and Darvill 2008).”
Background
A first approach in the correlation of pathogens load affecting Bombus pauloensis to the land use in Buenos Aires Province
de Landa, G. F., Revainera, P. D., Alberoni, D., Nicolli, A. R., de Landa, M. F., Zumpano, F., Brasesco, C., Reynaldi, F. J., Quintana, S., Petrigh, R. S., et al. (2024) · Journal of Apicultural Research · doi:10.1080/00218839.2024.2312329 · Cited by 5
“…an effect of urbanization and landscape vegetation composition on the prevalence and intensity of C. bombi on Bombus terrestris and Bombus pascourum from Scotland and Germany or in Bombus vosnesenskii from the United States (Goulson et al., 2008; Ivers et al., 2022; Theodorou et al., 2016).”
Background
Influence of flowering red clover on flower visitation in a sweet corn agroecosystem
Yurchak, V. L., Espíndola, A., & Hooks, C. R. R. (2024) · Journal of Pollination Ecology · doi:10.26786/1920-7603(2024)781 · Cited by 5
“Although, no single factor can entirely explain their decline, habitat loss and fragmentation have been recognized as common drivers (Goulson et al. 2008; Brown & Paxton 2009; Winfree et al. 2009; IPBES 2016).”
Background
Bumblebee Foraging Dynamics and Pollination Outcomes for Cherry Tomato and Pear Varieties in Northern China
Huang, X., Zhang, Q., Sheikh, U. A. A., Wang, Y., & Zheng, L. (2024) · Insects · doi:10.3390/insects15040216 · Cited by 5
“Factors such as climate change, habitat change, agricultural practices, etc., can affect bumblebee populations and their pollination applications [40].”
Background
Climatic conditions and landscape diversity predict plant–bee interactions and pollen deposition in bee‐pollinated plants
Sydenham, M. A. K., Dupont, Y. L., Nielsen, A., Olesen, J. M., Madsen, H. B., Skrindo, A. B., Rasmussen, C., Nowell, M., Venter, Z. S., Hegland, S. J., et al. (2024) · Ecography · doi:10.1111/ecog.07138 · Cited by 5
The role of landscape factors in shaping bumble bee pathogen loads across regions of the eastern Nearctic
Gratton, E. M., McNeil, D. J., Sawyer, R., Martinello, A., Grozinger, C. M., & Hines, H. M. (2024) · Insect Conservation and Diversity · doi:10.1111/icad.12773 · Cited by 5
“Many bumble bee populations are experiencing declines world-wide due to factors such as pesticide exposure, habitat loss and climate change (Cameron & Sadd, 2020; Goulson et al., 2008).”
Navigating in clutter: how bumblebees optimize flight behaviour through experience
Jeschke, M., Stahlsmeier, M., Egelhaaf, M., & Bertrand, O. J. N. (2025) · Journal of Experimental Biology · doi:10.1242/jeb.250514 · Cited by 5
Impact of thermal stress during pupal development in a key pollinator
Lausser, S., & Kurze, C. (2025) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rspb.2025.2029 · Cited by 5
The Persistence of Bumble Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Northeastern Texas
Beckham, J. L., Warriner, M. D., Atkinson, S., & Kennedy, J. H. (2016) · Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington · doi:10.4289/0013-8797.118.4.481 · Cited by 5
“…extinctions, and regional extirpations are well documented across Europe (Carvell 2002, Sarospataki et al. 2005, Fitzpatrick et al. 2007, Kosior et al. 2007, Goulson 2010, Goulson et al. 2006, Goulson et al. 2008) and Asia (Yang 1999, Matsumura et al. 2004, Inoue et al. 2008, Xie et al. 2008).”
Background
Artificial Domicile Use by Bumble Bees ( Bombus ; Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Ontario, Canada
Johnson, S. A., Tompkins, M. M., Tompkins, H., & Colla, S. R. (2019) · Journal of Insect Science · doi:10.1093/jisesa/iey139 · Cited by 5
Unused railway lines for conservation of pollinators in the intensively managed agricultural landscape
Dylewski, Ł., Tobółka, M., Maćkowiak, Ł., Białas, J. T., & Banaszak‐Cibicka, W. (2021) · Journal of Environmental Management · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114186 · Cited by 5
Pollinators: Their Relevance in Conservation and Sustainable Agro-Ecosystem
Nitharwal, M., Rolania, R., Jatav, H. S., Chandra, K., Khan, M. A., Kumawat, S., Attar, S. K., & Dhaka, S. R. (2022) · IntechOpen eBooks · doi:10.5772/intechopen.100531 · Cited by 5
Pollination, seed predation, and seed dispersal
Schowalter, T. D. (2022) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-85673-7.00009-5 · Cited by 6
Effects of habitat composition and landscape structure on worker foraging distances of five bumblebee species
Redhead, J. W., Dreier, S., Bourke, A. F. G., Heard, M. S., Jordan, W. C., Sumner, S., Wang, J., & Carvell, C. (2015) · Ecological Applications · doi:10.1890/15-0546.1 · Cited by 5

Authors: Goulson, D., Lye, G. C., & Darvill, B.
Affiliations: University of Stirling (GB)
ORCID: Goulson, D.
Venue: Annual Review of Entomology
Publisher: Annual Reviews
Published: 2008-01-01
Volume: 53
Issue: 1
Pages: 191-208
ISSN: 0066-4170 (ISSN-L)
1545-4487
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ento.53.103106.093454
OpenAlex: W2100945295
Cited by: 1,183
References: 104
Citations by year: 2026: 45 · 2025: 81 · 2024: 54 · 2023: 82 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 95 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 80 · 2018: 66 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 66 · 2015: 65 · 2014: 72 · 2013: 68 · 2012: 40
FWCI: 3.00
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
figshare.com
Licence: cc-by
Locations: Annual Review of Entomology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Stirling Online Research Repository (University of Stirling) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Plant and animal studies
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect and Pesticide Research
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Insect Science › Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
Keywords: bumblebees, population decline (ecology), habitat loss, agricultural intensification, floral diversity, habitat fragmentation, inbreeding, stochastic extinction, pollination, conservation, pollinator decline, North America, Europe
MeSH terms: Agriculture, Animals, Bees, Conservation of Natural Resources, Environment, Pesticides, Population Dynamics, Flowers, Biodiversity

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