A new species of orchid-pollinating bumblebee has been discovered on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. The bee, Bombus muscorum, is the first bumblebee to be described from the island of Islay in over a century. This discovery is an exciting addition to the already diverse bee population of Islay and represents a unique example of island evolution.

This new species of bumblebee is remarkable not only for its discovery on Islay, but also for its unique method of pollination. Unlike traditional bumblebees, Bombus muscorum pollinates a species of orchid endemic to Islay. This means that the orchid is completely dependent on this bumblebee for pollination and reproduction. The discovery of this specialized relationship between an orchid and a bumblebee is a reminder of the complex and fascinating interactions that occur in nature.

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source: Phys.org