Diapause survival and post‐diapause performance in bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris)

Abstract

Diapause survival and post‐diapause performance (i.e., if a queen starts to lay eggs) of in total 2210 bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris) were measured under different diapause regimes: 5 temperatures (−5, 0, 5, 10 and 15 °C) in combination with 5 durations of exposure (1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 months). The results show that weight at the start of diapause determines to a large extent whether a queen will be able to survive diapause. Queens with a wet weight below 0.6 g prior to diapause did not survive, but for those queens exceeding this threshold a higher pre‐ diapause weight did not increase their post‐diapause performance. There was no effect of temperature on diapause survival; 76% of the variance in survival could be explained by the duration of the treatment. Neither temperature nor duration of exposure had an effect on post‐diapause performance. The preoviposition period of the queens that laid eggs was also determined. The preoviposition period was affected by both temperature and duration of exposure: the preoviposition period decreased with decreasing temperature but also with increasing duration of the treatment.

Landscape effects on wild Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) queens visiting highbush blueberry fields in south-central Chile

“…The only native bumblebee (B. dahlbomii ) was almost absent which is consistent by previous reports on the decline of this species after the introduction of B. ruderatus and B. terrestris (Morales et al 2013) in 1982-1983and 1997-1998, respectively (Montalva et al 2011Smith-Ramírez et al 2014).…”

“…While food supply in early spring can favor bumblebee colony establishment and initial growth (Westphal et al 2009), the reproductive success of the colony seems to be determined by late-season food availability provided by surrounding natural areas (Persson and Smith 2013). Late-season food supply is crucial for hibernating queens since Beekman et al (1998) found that body weight at the start of diapause positively affects its success, while environmental temperature has no effect. Thus, forests can favor the number of queens produced per colony and/or favor hibernation success by providing food supply for queens before they start diapause.…”

A century of advances in bumblebee domestication and the economic and environmental aspects of its commercialization for pollination

“…Later, Beekman et al (1998) compared above and below freezing temperatures for hibernation (i.e., +15, 10, 5, 0 and -5…”

Population dependent effects of photoperiod on diapause related physiological traits in an invasive beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

“…Indeed, burrowing 10 cm into the soil has been calculated to reflect top-soil temperatures at 1000 km lower latitude (Willmer et al 2000). For instance European corn borer larvae, Pyrausta nubialis, overwinters within the food substrate, corn stalks (Beck & Hanec 1960), queens of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, dig small overwintering burrows in north facing slopes (Beekman 1998) while young adults of the cave spider Meta menardi seek out suitable overwintering caves (Fritzén & Koponen 2011).…”