Nosema bombi in bumble bees is a different pathogen than Nosema apis in honey bees.  My
understanding is that fumagillin is not effective against N. bombi. Nosema isn’t the only problem
facing bumble bees.

“Bumble bees have a number of natural enemies. The most destructive parasite is a species of
flesh fly maggot. Other pests of bumble bees are lesser house fly maggots, certain sap beetles,
scavenger and predator mites, the dried fruit moth caterpillar, and many others depending on
geographical area. Mammals such as shrews, mice, and skunks can also be very destructive to
bumble bee colonies. Human beings are probably the most destructive entity to bumble bees
inasmuch as they often spray insecticides to blooming plants. Keep in mind that bumble bees are
just as sensitive, if not more so, to garden chemicals as are honeybees.”

 http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/plantclinic/resources/pdf/pls12bumblebees.pdf.

As more bumble bees are raised for commercial use, it seems to me since they will likely be
concentrated in certain areas, their pests and predators will, also, thus opening up the same can
of worms that beset modern day beekeeping with honey bees.

Regards,
Dick Allen

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