Biosecurity Spotters logo

Large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

The large earth bumblebee is established across much of Tasmania and could spread to other parts of Australia through accidental or deliberate introduction. Its pollination can help some weeds, including Scotch broom, set more seed, and may disrupt pollination of native plants.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, invertebrate.

Native to: Europe.

Established in: TAS.

Other names: buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris.

Best time to act: Look for foraging bees and nest activity from spring through the warmer months, when colonies are active, and report suspected new occurrences promptly.

Identification

  • A large, robust, densely hairy bee, generally heavier-built and hairier than a honeybee.
  • The body is black, with a yellow or ochre band across the front of the thorax and another across the abdomen.
  • The end of the abdomen is buff or white.
  • Queens are about 30 to 35 mm long; workers vary from about 8 to 22 mm, and males resemble large workers.
  • Look-alike: Honeybees are generally slimmer and less hairy, and do not have the same combination of two yellow or ochre bands and a buff or white abdomen tip.
  • Look-alike: Large native bees, including carpenter bees, may look similar at a glance but do not have this characteristic banding and pale abdomen tip.

Where it lives

In Australia it occurs in Tasmania in urban areas and native bush, across a wide range of habitats and native vegetation types from sea level to about 1,250 m.

Why it matters

  • It can pollinate exotic plants that benefit from a large bee or buzz pollination, potentially increasing their abundance and distribution.
  • Scotch broom is pollinated by this species elsewhere, and the determination noted that it is likely to increase seed set in Scotch broom and other exotic plants that rely on it.
  • Its presence may disrupt pollination of native plants.
  • Potentially affected species and ecological communities identified include Epacris hamiltonii, the Bathurst Copper (Paralucia spinifera), the Ben Halls Gap National Park Sphagnum Moss Cool Temperate Rainforest Endangered Ecological Community, and the terrestrial orchid Chiloglottis platyptera.

How it spreads

  • It could be introduced accidentally from colonies in Tasmania or New Zealand, or deliberately as a pollinating agent.
  • Mated queens start new colonies in spring; colonies can grow quickly and forage on a wide range of plant species.
  • Avoid moving nests, queens, or soil and plant material that could contain a queen or nest from an infested area.

Control methods

  • Do not handle or dig out a nest yourself; disturbed colonies may defend the nest and sting.
  • If control is needed, have trained biosecurity staff or a suitably qualified pest controller assess and remove or destroy the nest and colony using an approved method.
  • Use chemical controls only if they are approved for the situation and applied in accordance with the product label and relevant state requirements.
  • Check the area for continued bee activity after treatment, and report suspected sightings outside established areas to the relevant state biosecurity agency for identification and advice.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Before leaving an infested site, check vehicles, machinery, boots and gear for bees, nests and adhering soil; clean off soil and plant material.
  • Do not transport nest material, soil or potentially infested plants from the site.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): No national listing. Managed under state and territory law.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: General biosecurity duty. Not prohibited matter in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Not declared. Not declared under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Other Victorian laws may still apply.
  • South Australia: Not declared. Not declared under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019. Other laws may still apply.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C1), prohibited. C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. It must not be brought into WA (prohibited organism).
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Tasmania: Biosecurity Act 2019 (Tas), administered by Biosecurity Tasmania

Sources