Bees modulate behavior during nectar foraging in response to direct ant aggression (Hymenoptera: Apidae and...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Animal Behavior

Background:

• Nectar thieves can negatively affect pollinator foraging and pollination services.
• The influence of ants on bee foraging decisions is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize ant-bee interactions at nectar resources.
• To analyze the subsequent behavioral sequences of bees when interacting with ants.

Main Methods:

• Observed bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) and Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) at shared nectar resources.
• Quantified ant-bee interactions and bee behavioral sequences.
• Clustered behavioral sequences to identify patterns.

Main Results:

• Two-thirds of bumble bee behaviors involved direct ant interactions.
• Increased ant abundance decreased bee feeding probability and increased biting.
• Ant bites triggered bee aggression and prolonged behavioral exchanges, disrupting foraging.
• Behavioral sequences clustered into feeding-dominated and aggression-dominated types.

Conclusions:

• Ant abundance and aggressive behaviors significantly predict bee responses.
• Interference competition from ants disrupts bumble bee foraging and resource collection.
• Learned avoidance of ants by bees is a likely outcome, with implications for social animal foraging.