Greetings:
 
I am considering a project involving the analysis, for environmental toxins,
of pollen collected by bees.  I  keep honey bees and will probably use them
to some extent in part of the project, but I am interested in utilizing other
pollen collectors which might have a more limited or a least reduced range.
Recently I have been trying to establish bumble-bee colonies from queens
[Bombus impatiens] with some limited success.
 
I have had some difficulty in finding literature dealing with Bombus sp.
range (size, shape, effect of topography etc.).  Can anyone give me any
suggestions on this topic - or if not - on range determination and how
it is carried out.
                           Thank you.
                           Sincerely yours,
                                             Brooke Oland
                                             N.S.A.C., Truro, N.S.