76. Bombus (Sibiricobombus) sibiricus (Fabricius)

(Figs 154, 155)

Apis ∫ibirica [sibirica] Fabricius, 1781:478.

Material examined. 9 queens, 1301 workers, 80 males (IAB).

Distribution in North China. Widely distributed in the dry zone along the southern Neimenggu plateau, the loess plateau, to the edge of the northeast Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Most abundant at medium elevations of the region from the edge of the Mu Us semi-desert in central Ningxia to the Liupanshan mountains of the loess plateau in southern Ningxia. Common at low elevations of the Hulunbeir grasslands in northeastern Neimenggu, at low to medium elevations of the southern Neimenggu lateau, at medium elevations of the loess plateau in eastern Gansu, and the south Qilianshan mountains in western Gansu. Rare at medium elevations of the Bashang plateau in northern Hebei, at medium elevations of the edge of the Mu Us semi-desert in northern Shaanxi, and at medium elevations of the northern Qilianshan mountains in northwestern Gansu. 87 localities (Fig. 154) between 602–2604 m (IAB).

Distribution in China. Hebei, Neimenggu, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang (IAB).

Forage plants. ASTERACEAE: Carduus acanthoides, Cirsium setosum, Cosmos bipinnatus, Helianthus annuus, Olgaea tangutica, Saussurea sp., Zinnia elegans; FABACEAE: Astragalus adsurgens, Hedysarum mongolicum, H. tanguticum, Onobrychis viciifolia, Vicia cracca; LAMIACEAE: Leonurus japonicus, L. sibiricus; MALVACEAE: Gossypium hirsutum; ROSACEAE: Rubus sp.; TAMARICACEAE: Myricaria sp.