Flower Usage by Bumble-Bees: A Basis for Forage Plant Management

Fussell, M.; Corbet, Sarah A.

doi:10.2307/2404513

Cited by 168 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…These patterns generally follow the well documented tendency for bumblebees to utilize flowers with corolla lengths which correspond to their tongue length (e.g. Ranta and Lundberg, 1980;Fussell and Corbet, 1992), with B. lapidarius showing a tendency to be intermediate in its forage preferences between the longer-and shorter-tongued groups (as in Goulson et al, 2005). Furthermore, that B. lapidarius males visited C. nigra almost exclusively suggests that purely legume-based forage patches may not cater for the requirements of both bumblebee sexes.…”

Section: Pollen / Forage Plant Speciessupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Fussell and Corbet, 1992;Goulson and Darvill, 2004). The flowers of certain annuals such as Borago officinalis (borage), Centaurea cyanus (cornflower), and Raphanus sativus (fodder radish) can also be attractive to some species (Carreck et al, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most studies of foraging bees tend to focus on the flower visits of individuals observed on localised transect walks, and sometimes note whether nectar, pollen, or both are being collected (e.g. Fussell and Corbet, 1992;Goulson and Darvill, 2004). No studies to date have examined the value of restored habitats by analysing the composition of pollen loads collected by foraging workers, although these can give us useful information about the flowers from which they are obtaining pollen, and about their relative importance based on the proportion of species in each sample (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the value of annual and perennial forage mixtures for bumblebees by direct observation and pollen analysis

Carvell

Westrich²,

Meek

et al. 2006

Apidologie

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-The value of introduced seed mixtures in providing forage for bumblebees on farmland was assessed by direct observation of individuals and analysis of pollen loads. Two mixtures of perennial grasses and wildflowers were compared with an annual mix of mostly seed-bearing crops over three years. Foraging bees showed contrasting patterns of visitation depending on species. Longer-tongued Bombus species preferred the perennial mixtures in which Trifolium pratense was dominant, whilst shorter-tongued Bombus and honeybees, Apis mellifera, visited mainly Borago officinalis in the annual mix. These patterns were supported by analysis of pollen loads from B. pascuorum and B. terrestris, both species showing a high degree of flower constancy to sown species. The relative specialisation of different bee species towards certain plant families, and the flowering phenology of seed mix components, must be considered in the design of agri-environment measures to conserve these and other pollinators.bumblebees / foraging / pollen / seed mixture / restoration / Bombus

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Section: Pollen / Forage Plant Speciessupporting

confidence: 58%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the value of annual and perennial forage mixtures for bumblebees by direct observation and pollen analysis

Carvell

Westrich²,

Meek

et al. 2006

Apidologie

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“…For Europe alone, the annual economic benefit of bee pollination exceeds 14 billion EUR (Leonhardt et al 2013). Primitively eusocial bumble bees (Apidae: Bombus Latreille) are particularly important wild bee pollinators of crops and wild flowers in most temperate countries (Fussell and Corbet 1992) because single colonies comprise relatively high forager numbers and foragers show high individual flower constancy (Heinrich 1976;Heinrich et al 1977;Kleijn and Raemakers 2008), start foraging early, and forage for most of the flowering season (Goulson 2010). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant diversity and composition compensate for negative effects of urbanization on foraging bumble bees

et al. 2015

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-Bumble bees play an important role as pollinators of many crop plants and wild flowers. As in many wild bees, their abundance and diversity have declined in recent years, which may threaten the stability of pollination services. The observed decline is often linked with the loss or alteration of natural habitat, e.g., through urbanization, the conversion of natural habitat into largely sealed areas (concrete) inhabited by humans. The effects of urbanization on bumble bees remain as yet controversial with both positive and negative effects reported. We investigated how habitat isolation through increasing areas of concrete, as well as the diversity, abundance, and community composition of floral resources, determine bumble bee abundance and diversity in cities. We found plant species diversity and abundance to be more important than the amount of concrete in driving the abundance and species richness of common bumble bees in a German city. Moreover, plant species composition, i.e., the presence of specific plant species and families (e.g., Fabaceae), played a prominent role. In particular, flower-rich parks and gardens can offer a continuous food supply for bumble bees and attract bumble bee foragers even to isolated patches in the city center.bee decline / habitat fragmentation / Hymenoptera / pollination / urban landscape

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“…have also been documented visiting Mahonia spp. in the United Kingdom (Fussell and Corbet 1992). The flowers of M. japonica, another close relative of M. bealei, are utilized by blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) and blue tits (Parus caeruleus) in the United Kingdom (Harrup 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

When Landscaping Goes Bad: The Incipient Invasion of Mahonia bealei in the Southeastern United States

Allen¹,

Garmestani²,

LaBram³

et al. 2006

Biol Invasions

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Woodlots are forest islands embedded within an urban matrix, and often represent the only natural areas remaining in suburban areas. Woodlots represent critical conservation areas for native plants, and are important habitat for wildlife in urban areas. Invasion by non-indigenous (NIS) plants can alter ecological structure and function, and may be especially severe in remnant forests where NIS propagule pressure is high. Woody shrubs in the Family Berberidaceae have been well documented as invaders of the forest-urban matrix in North America. Mahonia bealei (Berberidaceae) is a clonal shrub native to China, and is a popular ornamental in the Southeastern United States. Mahoni bealei is listed as ''present'' on some local and state floras, but almost nothing is known regarding its invasion potential in the United States. We sampled 15 woodlots in Clemson, South Carolina, to assess the invasion of M. bealei and other woody non-indigenous species (NIS). M. bealei invaded 87% of the woodlots surveyed and species richness of NIS on these woodlots varied from 5 to 14. Stepwise-multiple regression indicated that less canopy cover and older M. bealei predicted greater abundance of M. bealei, and that not all subdivisions were equally invaded (P < 0.0001; r 2 ¼ 0.88). The impact of M. bealei on native flora and fauna may be considerable, and it is likely to continue to spread in the Southeastern United States. M. bealei should be recognized as an aggressive invader in the Southeastern United States, with the potential for negative impacts on native flora and fauna.

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Flower Usage by Bumble-Bees: A Basis for Forage Plant Management

Cited by 168 publications

References 22 publications

Assessing the value of annual and perennial forage mixtures for bumblebees by direct observation and pollen analysis

Assessing the value of annual and perennial forage mixtures for bumblebees by direct observation and pollen analysis

Plant diversity and composition compensate for negative effects of urbanization on foraging bumble bees

When Landscaping Goes Bad: The Incipient Invasion of Mahonia bealei in the Southeastern United States

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