Scientific note on the quest for the rarest bumblebee in the Apennines, an overview of habitat and floral resources for high-elevation conservation

Abstract

Rare species of peculiar habitats are essential for conservation. This study summarizes the current knowledge on the rare, Italian endemic, high-altitude bumblebee Bombus konradini. Using historic collections, literature, and new records (2014–2025), I summarized the distribution, habitat, and plant use, and tested if areas previously predicted as suitable host the species. Recent field efforts doubled the known individuals and sites, compared to previous times, and confirmed areas only previously predicted as suitable. Climatic, topographic, and elevational features of the habitat are highlighted; the visited flowers are contextualized. As data become increasingly essential for conservation, it is crucial to provide them especially of rare, protected species: in this sense, this study offers a significant pillar for B. konradini’s conservation.