Scientific publications

The species diversity and ecology of bumblebees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus Latr.) in the catchment of the Kobra River, a large right-hand tributary to the Vyatka River, were studied for the first time. The studies were conducted in June–July 2011, 2016, and 2022. Records include 21 species of 8 subgenera. Two of these species (Bombus schrencki and B. sporadicus) are on the biological surveillance list of the Red Data Book of the Komi Republic. The population structure is typical for the southern taiga subzone of Northeastern European Russia. The rank distribution graphs are similar to the logarithmic and lognormal models, confirming the low human impact on biological communities in the Kobra River basin. Principal component analysis revealed three groups of communities: the first group includes reindeer-moss pine forests and herb-covered sandy shoals, the second one includes floodplain forb meadows, and the third one comprises small-leaved forests, mires, linden forests and dark coniferous forests. The highest level of species diversity was noted for floodplain forb meadows, small-leaved forests, and herb-covered sandy shoals. The population structure is typical for the southern taiga subzone, with its predominance of dark coniferous forests. The dominants include B. flavidus, B. sporadicus, B. veteranus, B. jonellus, B. pratorum, B. lucorum s. l., B. pascuorum. Consortial associations of bumblebees with 38 plant species of 15 families were revealed. The most visited plants represented the families Plantaginaceae, Asteraceae, Geraniceae, Fabaceae, and Ericaceae. The predominance of plantains in the bumblebee food spectrum is due to the structure of meadow communities in the Kobra River basin.