-Quantity of components of the labial gland secretion of bumblebee males changes significantly during ageing of males. In B. terrestris, compounds showing the EAG-activity to virgin queens are ethyl dodecanoate, 2,3-dihydrofarnesal, 2,3-dihydrofarnesol, hexadecanol, octadeca-9,12,15-trienol, and geranylcitronellol. The EAG-active compounds found in B.lucorum are ethyl dodecanoate, ethyl tetradec-7-enoate, ethyl tetradec-9-enoate, ethyl hexadec-9-enoate, hexadecanol, hexadec-7-enal, octadeca-9,12-dienol, octadeca-9,12,15-trienol and octadecanol. Quantification of these compounds based on a calibration showed that the main components were present in milligram amounts in both species. Different concentration pattern of active compounds was observed in the species studied. Compounds reached maximal amounts about seventh day after eclosion. Then, a rapid concentration decrease occurs in B. terrestris whereas the amounts of active compounds stay approximately constant or decreases only slowly in B. lucorum. These results were also confirmed by means of optical microscopy. B. terrestris secretory cells undergo apoptosis since the fifth to the tenth day of life, whilst they live and show secretory activity through the whole life of B. lucorum males.

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S u m m a r ySeveral methods for stimulating nest initiation (particularly the use of the Bombus terrestris cocoon) in queen bumblebees of the species B. lapidarius and B. hortorum were compared. For B. lapidarius, it was determined that the percentage success rate for establishing the fi rst egg cell on a cocoon of B. terrestris is similar to that on a conspecifi c cocoon. Nest establishment, however, was signifi cantly slower on the cocoon of B. terrestris. Moreover, it was determined that queens of B. lapidarius are able to initiate a nest without hibernation. Queens hibernated in the laboratory displayed a similar percentage success rate in establishing an egg cell during stimulation with the cocoon of B. terrestris as did the outdoor queens, but the lab queens established it signifi cantly more slowly. Queens of B. hortorum did not incubate the cocoon of B. terrestris, nor did they establish an egg cell on it.

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The rearing method under controlled conditions known for Bombus terrestris was successful in initiating egg-laying for 83% of B. pascuorum queens. After larvae had hatched, fresh pollen pellets needed to be inserted into brood pockets daily. After the first workers had emerged, colony development was advanced by placing them outdoors and supplying them with a sugar solution and pollen. The bees were able to use tightly pressed pollen from small plastic pots inserted near the brood. This feeding resulted in large colonies that produced dozens of young queens. In contrast, colonies managed in the laboratory were unable to utilize pollen in a similar manner. They raised only a few workers and several queens. Mating young queens was easy. It was stimulated by daylight, but in the case of B. humilis by direct sunshine. Several B. pascuorum and B. sylvarum queens were overwintered and began the new generation under artificial conditions. However, a lack of fresh pollen limited the development of colonies outside of the vegetation period.