In Canada, Koppert rears B. impatiens for pollination services. I have had success rearing other species of North American bumble bees. So there probably isn't a need to import European bumble bees. When it comes to rearing them, each species has its own unique traits. With diligence, we begin by unravelling the intricate social fabric which motivates nest construction and cohesion. If this knowledge is forthcoming, we can provide a queen and her daughters with a comfortable environment. With some human attention, bumble bee colonies can be grown in areas where they normally occur. I am confident that the bumble bee industry will grow beyond the few monopolies that exist now and beekeeping of the future will adopt many of the wild bees, including the bumble bee, that have always provided their services for free. See y'all, Blair Sampson Dept. of Entomology Auburn University, Alabama 36849-5413 [log in to unmask]