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Does intraspecific size variation in bumblebees allow colonies to efficiently exploit different flowers?
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posted on 2023-06-08, 18:59 authored by J Peat, J Tucker, Dave GoulsonDave Goulson1. It has long been known that foraging bumblebee workers vary greatly in size, within species, and within single nests. This phenomenon has not been adequately explained. Workers of their relatives within the Apidae exhibit much less size variation. 2. For the bumblebee Bombus terrestris size, as measured by thorax width, was found to correspond closely with tongue length, so that larger bees are equipped to feed from deeper flowers. 3. The mean size of worker bees attracted to flowers was found to differ between plant species, and larger bees with longer tongues tended to visit deeper flowers. 4. Finally, handling time depended on the match between corolla depth and tongue length: large bees were slower than small bees when handling shallow flowers, but quicker than small bees when handling deep flowers. 5. Size variation within bumblebees may be adaptive, since it enables the colony as a whole to efficiently exploit a range of different flowers. Possible explanations for the marked differences in size variation exhibited by bumblebees compared with Apis species and stingless bees (Meliponinae) are discussed. © 2005 The Royal Entomological Society.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Ecological EntomologyISSN
0307-6946Publisher
Blackwell PublishingExternal DOI
Issue
2Volume
30Page range
176-181Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2014-11-25Usage metrics
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