The subfamily Apinae is represented by 16 genera of bees In the Himalayan region,
interestingly the genus Bombus has the highest number of species (>33%) with over
20 per cent of all species of bumblebees in the world occuring in this region. No
wonder, Dr Paul Williams could not ignore the bumblebees of the Himalayas.
Being important pollinators of both wild and cultivated plants bumblebees are of
high ecological signifi cance. But, climate change, habitat loss and excessive use of
pesticides are resulting in local extinctions of several species. Paul Williams’ book on
the Himalayan Bumblebees will go a long way in making us understand the status of
bumblebee diversity and to take measures to conserve them in the Himalayas, but
also beyond thanks to the excellent general introduction on the topic.
The book includes 62 species of bumblebees under ten subgenera that occur in this
region. It has been written in a
Williams, P.H. 2022. The Bumblebees of the Himalaya, an Identification Guide. Abc Taxa 21: 1-198.