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Honeybees with extensive foraging experience rob nectar more frequently
Yuta Nagano1,2, Tomoyuki Yokoi3
1Laboratory of Conservation Ecology, Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan. 11015.2b@gmail.com.
Die Naturwissenschaften
|December 27, 2021
Summary
Experienced European honeybees (Apis mellifera) that visit comfrey flowers are more likely to rob nectar than engage in legitimate pollination. Foraging experience, indicated by wing wear, influences this shift in behavior.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Behavioral Ecology
- Entomology
Background:
- Flower visitors do not always pollinate; some exhibit nectar robbing without pollen transfer.
- Nectar robbing tendencies are linked to visitor traits and foraging rewards, but within-species drivers remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between foraging experience and nectar robbing behavior in European honeybees (Apis mellifera).
- To determine if experienced foragers exhibit a higher tendency for nectar robbing.
Main Methods:
- Observed five consecutive visits of Apis mellifera to Symphytum officinale (comfrey) in Japan.
- Assessed foraging experience by categorizing honeybee wing wear into six levels.
- Quantified the proportion of legitimate visits versus nectar robbing.
Main Results:
- Approximately 60% of honeybee foragers made legitimate visits, while 40% engaged in nectar robbing.
- Most honeybees employed a single foraging tactic.
- Nectar robbing was positively correlated with wing wear, indicating more experienced bees robbed more often.
Conclusions:
- Extensively experienced honeybee foragers show a greater tendency towards nectar robbing.
- Foraging experience is a significant factor influencing nectar robbing behavior in Apis mellifera.
