Systematic review of cuckoo bumblebee research reveals data gaps and understudied species

Cuckoo bumblebees (Bombus subgenus Psithyrus) are social parasites that have lost the ability to establish their own nests, and instead usurp nest of a bumblebee host reproduce. Accordingly, they entirely dependent upon species complete life cycle, therefore vulnerable co–extinction. Despite this, current consensus is there remains much we do not know about fundamental ecology many cuckoo species, which crucial for conservation. To investigate data gaps bumblebees, conducted systematic review quantify peer-reviewed literature has been produced, including most studied disciplines explored. Over half all Psithyrus were represented in fewer than 10 publications each, 2 listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN. Research on heavily weighted towards Europe European while Asian under-represented. Key research areas such behaviour received little attention majority may hamper conservation efforts Our results quantitatively support observations made other scarcity highlight need further whom knowledge missing—particularly light vulnerability this extinction.