Description and status

The Bilberry bumblebee (Bombus monticola) gets its name from one of its favourite food plants – Bilberry. The Bilberry bumblebee is a distinctive species with two light yellow bands on the front half of the body (the thorax) and a bright red tail which covers most of the rear half of the body (the abdomen). Bilberry bumblebees nest both underground in disused rodent burrows, and among rocks at ground level.

The Bilberry bumblebee is mostly found in mountains and moorlands, where its preferred food plants are found. It is widespread in Wales, found throughout the valleys and uplands in areas where there is sufficient natural habitat to support their populations. Pollinators such as bumblebees play a vital role in maintaining ecosystems and in our food security.

Threats

The species has declined in recent times because of habitat change. It requires a mosaic of habitats with different flowers that feed the bees through the spring and summer. Willows and bilberry to feed queens are often abundant in spring, but workers will feed upon clovers, scabious’ and heathers. Changes to moorland and grassland management has reduced the abundance of some of these plants, leading to declines of Bilberry bumblebees in some places.

Actions required1. Work with landowners to manage land more sensitively for bumblebees2. Work across landscapes to sustain viable populations3. Encourage more recording of this species to gain a better understanding of its status in Wales

More information

www.bumblebeeconservation.org

Species Champion

Lead member

Leanne Wood AM

Rhondda

Plaid Cymru

Bilberry Bumblebee

Wales Species Champions

© Steven Falk

Contains OS data © copyright [and database] (2016)

Mae Cacynen y llus (Bombus monticola) yn cael ei henw gan un o’i hoff blanhigion bwyd - Llus. Mae Cacynen y llus yn rhywogaeth nodedig, gyda dau fand melyn golau ar hanner blaen y corff (y thoracs) a chynffon goch lachar sy’n gorchuddio’r rhan fwyaf o hanner ôl y corff (yr abdomen). Mae Cacwn y llus yn nythu o dan ddaear mewn tyllau llygod gwag ac ymhlith creigiau ar lefel y ddaear.

Ar fynyddoedd a rhostir y gwelir Cacynen y llus yn bennaf, ble mae ei hoff blanhigyn bwyd i’w ganfod. Mae ganddi ddosbarthiad eang yng Nghymru, ledled y cymoedd a’r ucheldiroedd mewn ardaloedd ble mae digon o’i chynefin naturiol i gefnogi ei phoblogaethau. Mae peillwyr fel cacwn yn chwarae rôl hanfodol mewn cynnal ecosystemau ac mewn diogelwch bwyd.

Mae’r rhywogaeth wedi dirywio’n ddiweddar oherwydd y newid mewn cynefinoedd. Mae angen mosaig o gynefinoedd gyda gwahanol flodau sy’n bwydo’r cacwn drwy gydol y gwanwyn a’r haf. Mae digon o helyg a llus i fwydo’r frenhines ar gael yn y gwanwyn fel rheol, ond bydd y gweithwyr yn bwydo ar feillion, bara’r cythraul a grug. Mae newidiadau i reoli rhostiroedd a glaswelltiroedd wedi lleihau’r nifer o rai o’r planhigion hyn, gan arwain at ddirywiad mewn Cacwn y llus mewn rhai llefydd.

1. Gweithio gyda pherchnogion tir i reoli tir yn fwy sensitif er budd cacwn2. Gweithio ar draws y tirlun i gynnal poblogaethau hyfyw 3. Annog mwy o gofnodi ar y rhywogaeth yma i sicrhau gwell dealltwriaeth o’i statws yng Nghymru

www.bumblebeeconservation.org

Pencampwr Rhywogaeth

Prif Aelod

Cacynen y Llus

Pencampwyr Rhywogaethau Cymru

Mwy o wybodaeth Disgrifiad a statws

Bygythiadau

Gweithredu angenrheidiol

© Steven Falk

Contains OS data © copyright [and database] (2016)

Leanne Wood AM

Rhondda

Plaid Cymru