Scientists at Plant and Food Research are asking people in the central North Island to look out for three-striped bumblebees and send them samples.
They want to know how far the species has spread in the lower North Island, so they can develop new ways to help the horticulture industry.
The scientists are finding ways to look after bumblebee colonies in orchards, so that they can be used to complement honeybees for pollinating crops. But first they need to know which bumblebee species live where.
"We are most interested in one bumblebee that is found throughout the South Island, but which previous surveys recorded as only in a very small area at the bottom of the North Island. We suspect they are now much more widespread," Dr David Pattemore said.
The research team are asking people in the Central North Island to send samples of bumblebees from their area so they can test their DNA and determine which species they are. By understanding the current distribution of these species they will know how best to find a way to use them to pollinate crops.