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A Novel Behavioral Assay to Investigate Gustatory Responses of Individual, Freely-moving Bumble Bees (Bombus terrestris)
Published on: July 21, 2016
Temperature Regulation in the Bumblebee Bombus vagans: A Field Study
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 14, 1972
Summary
Bombus vagans bumblebees regulate thoracic temperature for foraging. Below 24°C, they generate heat for flight, but higher temperatures cause unregulated temperature increases.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Animal Physiology
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Bombus vagans (bumblebees) exhibit temperature-dependent foraging behaviors.
- Thermoregulation is crucial for insect flight and activity, especially in ectotherms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermoregulatory strategies of Bombus vagans during nectar foraging.
- To determine the relationship between ambient temperature and bumblebee thoracic temperature during foraging.
Main Methods:
- Field observations of Bombus vagans foraging activity.
- Measurement of ambient and thoracic temperatures during foraging bouts.
- Analysis of foraging behavior at different environmental temperatures.
Main Results:
- Bombus vagans forages at ambient temperatures ranging from 5°C (shade) to 31°C (sunshine).
- Below 24°C ambient temperature, bumblebees maintain thoracic temperatures near the minimum for flight through metabolic heat production.
- Above 24°C ambient temperature, thoracic temperature regulation fails, and temperatures rise above optimal levels.
Conclusions:
- Bombus vagans employs facultative thermogenesis to maintain flight-capable thoracic temperatures in cooler conditions.
- Elevated ambient temperatures above a critical threshold compromise the ability of Bombus vagans to regulate thoracic temperature, potentially impacting foraging efficiency and survival.
