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20 results for “bumble bee colony”
High thermal tolerance in high elevation species and laboratory-reared colonies of tropical bumble bees
<p>Bumble bees are key pollinators with some species reared in captivity at a commercial scale, but with significant evidence of population declines and with alarming predictions of substantial impacts under climate change scenarios. While studies on the thermal biology of temperate bumble bees are still limited, they are entirely absent from the tropics where the effects of climate change are expected to be greater. Herein we test if bees' thermal tolerance decreases with elevation and if the stable optimal conditions used in laboratory-reared colonies reduces their thermal tolerance. We assessed changes in the lower (CTMin) and upper (CTMax) critical thermal limits of four species at two elevations (2600 and 3600 m) in the Colombian Andes, examined the effect of body size, and evaluated the thermal tolerance of wild caught and laboratory-reared individuals of B. pauloensis. We also compiled information on bumble bees' thermal limits and assessed potential predictors for broad-scale patterns. We found that CTMin decreased with increasing elevation while CTMax was similar between elevations. CTMax was slightly higher (0.84 °C) in laboratory-reared than in wild-caught bees while CTMin was similar, and CTMin decreased with increasing body size while CTMax did not. Latitude is a good predictor for CTMin only while annual mean temperature, maximum and minimum temperatures of the warmest and coldest months are good predictors for both CTMin and CTMax. The stronger response in CTMin with increasing elevation, and similar CTMax, supports Brett's heat-invariant hypothesis, which has been documented in other taxa. Andean bumble bees appear to be about as heat tolerant as those from temperate areas, suggesting that other aspects besides temperature (e.g., water balance) might be more determinant environmental factors for these species. Laboratory-reared colonies are adequate surrogates for addressing questions on thermal tolerance and global warming impacts. </p>
Variation in North American bumble bee nest success and colony sizes under captive rearing conditions
<p>Of the 265 known bumble bee (<em>Bombus</em>) species, knowledge of colony lifecycle is derived from relatively few species. As interest in <em>Bombus</em> commercialization and conservation grows, it is becoming increasingly important to understand colony growth dynamics across a variety of species since variation exists in nest success, colony growth, and reproductive output. In this study, we documented successful nest initiation and establishment rates of colonies produced from wild-caught gynes, and created a timeline of colony development for fifteen western North American <em>Bombus </em>species captively reared from 2009 to 2019. Additionally, we assessed variation in colony size among five western North American <em>Bombus </em>species from 2015 to 2018. Nest initiation and establishment rates varied greatly among species, ranging from 5–76.1% and 0–71.8%, respectively. <em>Bombus griseocollis </em>had the highest rates of nest success across the eleven-year period, followed by <em>B. occidentalis, B. vosnesenskii, </em>and <em>B. huntii. </em>Further, we identified that colonies reared from two gynes had significantly higher nest initiation and establishment rates per nest box compared to those reared from a single gyne. Colony size also differed significantly among species with <em>B. huntii </em>and <em>B. vosnesenskii </em>producing more worker/drone cells than <em>B. griseocollis, B. occidentalis, </em>and <em>B. vancouverensis. </em>Additionally, gyne production differed significantly among species with <em>B. huntii </em>colonies producing more gynes than <em>B. vosnesenskii. </em>Results from this study increase knowledge of systematic nesting biology for numerous western North American <em>Bombus </em>species under captive rearing conditions, which can further improve rearing techniques available to conservationists and researchers.</p>
High thermal tolerance in high elevation species and laboratory-reared colonies of tropical bumble bees
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Mean body size predicts colony performance in the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens)
Prior studies suggest that both the mean and variation of worker size predict the performance of bumble bee colonies. The 'variation hypothesis' posits that colony performance increases with variation of worker body size due to more efficient division of labour within colonies. The 'mean size hypothesis' posits that colony performance increases with mean bumble bee size, as each individual’s efficiency tends to increase with body size. The present study tested these non-mutually exclusive hypotheses by establishing 62 Bombus impatiens Cresson (Hymenoptera, Apidae) nest boxes in 32 semi-natural savanna fragments within large-scale experimental landscapes in South Carolina (U.S.A.). Based on measurements of > 24 000 individuals and on colony growth over ca. 7 weeks, our results support the mean size hypothesis, not the variation hypothesis.
Data from: Flowering plant composition shapes pathogen infection intensity and reproduction in bumble bee colonies
<p><span>Pathogens pose significant threats to pollinator health and food security. Pollinators can transmit diseases during foraging, but the consequences of plant species composition for infection is unknown. In agroecosystems, flowering strips or hedgerows are often used to augment pollinator habitat. We used canola as a focal crop in tents, and manipulated flowering strip composition using plant species we had previously shown to result in higher or lower bee infection in short-term trials. We also manipulated initial colony infection to assess impacts on foraging behavior. Flowering strips using high-infection plant species nearly doubled bumble bee colony infection intensity compared to low-infection plant species, with intermediate infection in canola-only tents. Both infection treatment and flowering strips reduced visits to canola, but we saw no evidence that infection treatment shifted foraging preferences. Although high-infection flowering strips increased colony infection intensity, colony reproduction was improved with any flowering strips compared to canola alone. Effects of flowering strips on colony reproduction were explained by nectar availability, but effects of flowering strips on infection intensity were not. Thus, flowering strips benefited colony reproduction by adding floral resources, but certain plant species also come with a risk of increased pathogen infection intensity.</span></p>
Data from: Range-wide genetic analysis of an endangered bumble bee (Bombus affinis) reveals population structure, isolation by distance, and low colony abundance
<p>Declines in bumblebee species ranges and abundances are documented across multiple continents and have prompted the need for research to aid species recovery and conservation. The rusty patched bumblebee (<em>Bombus affinis</em>) is the first federally-listed bumblebee species in North America. We conducted a range-wide population genetics study of <em>B. affinis</em> from across all extant conservation units to inform conservation efforts. To understand the species' vulnerability and help establish recovery targets, we examined population structure, patterns of genetic diversity, and population differentiation. Additionally, we conducted site-level analysis of colony abundance to inform prioritizing areas for conservation, translocation, and other recovery actions. We find substantial evidence of population structuring along an east-to-west gradient. Putative populations show evidence of isolation by distance, high inbreeding coefficients, and a range wide male diploidy rate of ~15%. Our results suggest the Appalachians represents a genetically distinct cluster with high levels of private alleles and substantial differentiation from the rest of the extant range. Site-level analyses suggest low colony abundance estimates for <em>B. affinis</em> compared to similar datasets of stable, co-occurring species. These results lend genetic support to trends from observational studies suggesting B. affinis has undergone a recent decline and exhibits substantial spatial structure. The low colony abundances observed here suggest caution in overinterpreting the stability of populations even where <em>B. affinis</em> is reliably detected interannually. These results help delineate informed management units, provide context for the potential risks of translocation programs, and can help set clear recovery targets for this and other threatened bumblebee species.</p>
Wild bumble bee colony abundance, scaled by field size, predicts pollination services
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Data from: Range-wide genetic analysis of an endangered bumble bee (Bombus affinis) reveals population structure, isolation by distance, and low colony abundance
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Data from: Urban heavy metal contamination limits bumble bee colony growth
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Data from: Flowering plant composition shapes pathogen infection intensity and reproduction in bumble bee colonies
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Development of a test design for a semi-field, colony feeding study for the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens [Hymenoptera:Apidae])
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Data from: Limitation of complementary resources affects colony growth, foraging behavior and reproduction in bumble bees
<p>Resource availability has been disturbed for many organisms in agricultural landscapes including pollinator species. Abundance and diversity in flower availability benefit bee populations, however, little is known about which of protein or carbohydrate resources may limit their growth and reproductive performance. Here, we test the hypothesis of complementary resource limitation using a supplemental feeding approach. We applied this assumption with bumble bees (<i>Bombus terrestris</i>), assuming that colony growth and reproductive performance should depend on the continuous supply of carbohydrates and proteins, through the foraging for nectar and pollen respectively. We placed wild-caught bumble bee colonies along a landscape gradient of semi-natural habitats, and monitored the colonies' weight, foraging activity and reproductive performance during the whole colony cycle. We performed supplemental feeding as an indicator of landscape resource limitation, using a factorial design consisting of the addition of sugar-water (carbohydrate, supplemented or not) crossed by pollen (protein, supplemented or not). Bumble bee colony dynamics showed a clear seasonal pattern with a period of growth followed by a period of stagnation. Higher abundance of semi-natural habitats resulted in reducing the proportion of pollen foragers relative to all foragers in both periods, and in improving the reproductive performance of bumble bees. Interestingly, the supplemental feeding of sugar-water positively affected the colony weight during the stagnation period, while the supplemental feeding of pollen mitigated the landscape effect on pollen collection investment. Single and combined supplementation of sugar-water and pollen increased the positive effect of semi-natural habitats on reproductive performance. This study reveals a potential co-limitation in pollen and nectar resources affecting foraging behavior and reproductive performance in bumble bees, and indicates that even in mixed agricultural landscapes with higher proportions of semi-natural habitats, bumble bee populations face resource limitations. We conclude that the seasonal management of floral resources must be considered in conservation to support bumble bee populations and pollination services in farmlands.</p>
Data from: Maize-dominated landscapes reduce bumble bee colony growth through pollen diversity loss
1. Bumble bees are important pollinators for a wide range of crops and wild plants. Performance of their colonies depends on pollen and nectar as food resources, but flowering plants are scarce in modern agricultural landscapes. It is well-known that semi-natural habitats can enhance floral resources and bumble bee abundance, but the impact of different crop types and their heterogeneity at the landscape scale remains unclear. 2. We tested the effect of two different crop types (oilseed rape (OSR) and maize) and of configurational (field border density) and compositional heterogeneity (crop diversity) on weight gain of buff-tailed bumble bee colonies (Bombus terrestris) colonies and the pollen diversity collected by them in 20 landscapes in Central Germany. 3. We found that augmenting maize cover had a detrimental effect on pollen diversity collected by the bumble bees, probably due to intensive management resulting in low plant diversity. This low pollen diversity translated into reduced colony growth, since colonies with high pollen diversity gained more weight than colonies with low pollen diversity. 4. In contrast, OSR cover, configurational and compositional heterogeneity did neither affect colony growth nor pollen diversity. However, for OSR the timing of the flowering period was important. When OSR fields had a high flower cover at the end of the OSR blooming period, colonies showed increased growth rates. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our results complement previous laboratory studies by showing that high pollen diversity leads to better colony performance under field conditions. Therefore, the maintenance of floral diversity in agricultural landscapes is crucial to ensure that bumble bees can fulfil their nutritional needs. However, the heterogeneity of crops, at least under the currently very low levels of crop rotation, does not contribute to this aim. In contrast, crop identity and timing of mass-flowering crops turned out to be important factors, as maize reduced pollen resources, while late blooming OSR oilseed rape was beneficial for bumble bee colonies. Hence, maize cover per landscape should be reduced and strategies to enhance landscape wide flower diversity, especially towards and after the end of oilseed rape bloom should be promoted to support bumble bee colonies that provide important pollination services.
Exposure to urban heavy metal contamination diminishes bumble bee colony growth
<p>As a result of their industrial past, legacy cites often have elevated concentrations of soil heavy metal contamination. Metal pollution can have negative and prolonged ecosystem impacts, and bees that forage in these urban ecosystems are at risk of exposure. Legacy cities are known to support species rich bee communities, which highlights the importance of determining the impact of heavy metal contamination on wild bee health. We examined how oral exposure to concentrations of four metals found within the provisions of bees foraging within Cleveland, Ohio, USA influenced colony growth of <em>Bombus impatiens</em> Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a common species within legacy cities across the eastern United States. Colony weight and brood survivorship were compared among hives fed uncontaminated sucrose solution (hereafter nectar), nectar spiked with one metal (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, or lead), and nectar containing all metals, after 15 or 30 d of exposure within flight tents. Across both exposure periods, we found a significantly higher proportion of dead brood in metal exposed hives. Additionally, colonies fed all four metals had a significantly higher proportion of dead brood than those fed a single metal. Our findings illustrate that even low, environmentally relevant concentrations of metals collected by B. impatiens in legacy cities can negatively influence bee colony growth. We highlight the need to identify metal exposure routes for bees in contaminated landscapes to minimize risk and bolster conservation habitat initiative success.</p>
Within-colony transmission of Microsporidian and Trypanosomatid parasites in honey bee and bumble bee colonies
<p><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Parasites are commonly cited as one of the causes of population declines for both managed and wild bees. Epidemiological models sometimes assume that increasing the proportion of infected individuals in a group should increase transmission. However, social insects exhibit behaviors and traits which can dampen the link between pathogen pressure and disease spread. Understanding patterns of parasite transmission within colonies of social bees has important implications for how to control diseases within those colonies, and potentially the broader pollinator community. We used bumble bees (<i>Bombus impatiens</i> Cresson) and western honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) infected with the gut parasites <i>Crithidia bombi </i>(Lipa & Triggiani) and <i>Nosema ceranae </i>(Fries et al.), respectively, to understand how the initial proportion of infected individuals impacts within-colony spread and intensity of infection of the parasites. In bumble bees, we found that higher initial parasite prevalence increased both the final prevalence and intensity of infection of <i>C. bombi</i>. In honey bees, higher initial prevalence increased the intensity of infection in individual bees, but not the final prevalence of <i>N. ceranae</i>. Measures that reduce the probability of workers bringing parasites back to the nest may have implications for how to control transmission and/or severity of infection and disease outbreaks, which could also have important consequences for controlling disease spread back into the broader bee community. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Early resources lead to persistent benefits for bumble bee colony dynamics
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Data from: Maize-dominated landscapes reduce bumble bee colony growth through pollen diversity loss
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Exposure to urban heavy metal contamination diminishes bumble bee colony growth
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Data from: Limitation of complementary resources affects colony growth, foraging behavior, and reproduction in bumble bees
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Within-colony transmission of Microsporidian and Trypanosomatid parasites in honey bee and bumble bee colonies
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