The rising threat of the invasive bumblebee Bombus terrestris highlights the need for sales restrictions and domestication of unique local biodiversity in Asia

The managed bumblebee Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) has become established on multiple continents and various islands globally, potentially impacting fauna and flora alike. Its introduction could prove especially problematic in Asia, where bumblebee biodiversity is the highest worldwide. Here, we report the active, unregulated commercial management and sale of non-native Bombus terrestris in China, also including its use in open environments, which has resulted in at least two introductions into the wild that we newly report here (Beijing and Kunming, China), although whether they are established is unknown. National and international regulations on the trade and use of this species are needed, and some of the many native species should instead be targeted for domestication.

Automated summary

The unregulated commercial management and sale of non-native Bombus terrestris in China has led to introductions into the wild in Beijing and Kunming. National and international regulations are needed to address this issue, and efforts should be made to domesticate native species instead.