74. Bombus (Melanobombus) keriensis Morawitz

(Figs 150, 151)

Bombus keriensis Morawitz, 1887:199.

Bombus lapidarius var. tenellus Friese, 1913:86.

Bombus (Lapidariobombus) keriensis f. richardsi Reinig, 1935:341 (not of Frison, 1930:6 = B. rufipes Lepeletier). Bombus (Melanobombus) tenellus ssp. tibetensis Wang, 1982:439, replacement name for richardsi Reinig, 1935:341. Bombus (Melanobombus) trilineatus Wang, 1982:441.

Material examined. 12 queens, 124 workers, 3 males (IAB).

Distribution in North China. Only on the edge of the northeast Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in Gansu. Common at medium to high elevations of the northern Qilianshan nature reserve in Sunan. Rare at medium elevations of the southern Qilianshan nature reserve in Yongchang and Tianzhu, at medium elevations of the Liancheng nature reserve in Yongdeng, at high elevations of the Gahai nature reserve in Luqu, and at high elevations of the Dangjinshan pass of Aerjinshan mountains in Aksai. 17 localities (Fig. 150) between 2148–3656 m (IAB).

Variation in North China. This species shows strong variation in the colour pattern of the hair across its global distribution (Williams, 1991). In North China it has a colour pattern with three yellow bands and a red tail without substantial variation (Fig. 151).

Similar species in North China. This species is similar in its red-tailed colour pattern to B. asiaticus (see the key; Figs 151, 157).

Distribution in China. Sichuan, Xizang, Gansu, Qinghai, Xinjiang (IAB).

Forage plants. ALLIACEAE: Allium senescens; ASTERACEAE: Cosmos bipinnatus, Ixeridium gracile, Saussurea sp.; GENTIANACEAE: Gentiana algida; FABACEAE: Astragalus adsurgens, Hedysarum tanguticum; LAMIACEAE: Caryopteris mongholica; MALVACEAE: Alcea rosea; ROSACEAE: Rubus sp.; SCROPHULARIACEAE: Pedicularis kansuensis; TAMARICACEAE: Myricaria sp.