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Bumblebees Perform Well-Controlled Landings in Dim Light.
Therese Reber1, Marie Dacke1, Eric Warrant1
1Department of Biology, Lund University Lund, Sweden.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|September 30, 2016
Summary
Bumblebees adjust their landing posture in dim light, indicating visual control is key for smooth landings. Their landings remain well-controlled even in low light conditions, showing adaptability.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Sensory Ecology
- Insect Physiology
Background:
- Insect landings rely on visual information for controlling speed, body, and leg positioning.
- Bumblebee landing behavior is well-documented in bright light, but poorly understood in low light.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how decreasing light intensity affects bumblebee landing performance.
- To characterize bumblebee landing adjustments in varying light conditions.
Main Methods:
- Observed landing behavior of *Bombus terrestris* on horizontal and vertical platforms.
- Tested landings across four light intensities (600 lx down to 19 lx).
Main Results:
- Bumblebees modified body position and leg extension distance as light intensity decreased.
- Landings remained consistently well-controlled, even in very dim light.
- Observed changes suggest visually mediated control of landing maneuvers.
Conclusions:
- Bumblebee landing control is visually mediated and adaptable to varying light intensities.
- Adjustments in dim light likely facilitate smooth landings across diverse light conditions encountered during foraging.
