Colletes bhutanicus, a rare solitary Himalayan bee, has been recorded in India for the first time from Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Previously documented in Bhutan and China, including the Xizang region, the discovery expands knowledge of Himalayan pollinator diversity and distribution.
The bee was observed at elevations between 1,500 and 3,800 metres and was found visiting 25 species of flowering plants, including mustard, buckwheat, coriander, beans, chilli and eggplant. Its presence underlines the ecological importance of Himalayan pollinators for both biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems.
APSC Relevance: Arunachal Pradesh Biodiversity; Pollinators & Ecosystem Services.
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