The Hole Truth: Why Do Bumble Bees Rob Flowers More Than Once? DOI Creative Commons
Judith L. Bronstein, Goggy Davidowitz, Elinor M. Lichtenberg

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(17), P. 2507 - 2507

Published: Sept. 6, 2024

Primary nectar-robbers feed through holes they make in flowers, often bypassing the plant’s reproductive organs process. In many robbed plants, multiple are made a single flower. Why flower should be repeatedly is difficult to understand: hole signals that nectar forager has already fed, which would seem likely predict low rewards. We tested three explanations for this pattern Corydalis caseana (Fumariaceae), bumble bee pollinated and plant: (1) appear only after all flowers have been once; (2) individual foragers during visits; (3) it more profitable bees rob older even if robbed. these hypotheses from 2014 2016 Colorado, USA population using data on robbing rates over time, floral longevity, accumulation visited unvisited of across life flowers. Multiple were appearing when two-thirds still lacked hole, allowing us reject first hypothesis. The second hypothesis cannot offer full explanation because 35% additional appeared one or days was made. Repeated sampling bagged exposed inflorescences revealed filled at constant rate refilled completely being drained. Consequently, young consistently value compared had previously robbed, consistent with third While further studies needed, results simple paradoxical clustering nectar-robbing damage possibly other plant species.

Language: Английский

Floral Cues and Flower Handling Tactics Affect Switching Decisions by Nectar-Foraging Bumble Bees DOI Creative Commons
Minjung Baek, Daniel R. Papaj, Daniel R. Papaj

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 2, 2024

Abstract Nectar foraging bees change their use of floral resources as plant species appear in the environment and disappear over lifetimes. The new flowers used may involve different cues nectar extraction tactics. Although bumble can adapt to changes required tactics, little is known about whether prioritize switching tactics or when deciding which switch to. In a laboratory assay, we forced Bombus impatiens (common eastern bee) workers either handling tactic they were using continue but colour artificial foraged on. We examined bees’ tendency was influenced by how similar novel familiar ones. conducted 2 × factorial experiment flowers, manipulating that initially trained (legitimate visitation robbing) similarity between colours (similar distinct). found under most conditions preferred flower retain However, given experience with legitimate markedly from those had experienced previously, tended while continuing forage on same colour. These findings suggest resource currently exploited resource, along employed bees, jointly plays an important role decision-making bees.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Learning to handle flowers increases pollen collection benefits for bees but does not affect pollination success for plants DOI Creative Commons

Maggie M. Mayberry,

Katherine C. Naumer,

Annaliese N. Novinger

et al.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 12, 2024

ABSTRACT Behavior frequently affects cooperation as well conflict in plant-pollinator interactions. Pollinators such bees often modify how they handle flowers with experience and learning is generally assumed to increase collection of floral food rewards. The complexity flower morphology also quickly pollinators learn recall access rewards from a given type. Because can extraction (such pollen) involves the pollinator altering it interacts flower’s reproductive organs, could affect pollination success. Yet cognition interact success unknown. We therefore asked memory handling by pollen-foraging generalist bumble ( Bombus impatiens ) varied among four morphologically distinct types (Phacelia campanularia, Exacum affine , Solanum elaeagnifolium Erythranthe guttata affected pollen deposition on these flowers. found that learned remembered some more than others. Learning typically involved development motor routines unique each While invariably improve collection, type did not collection. Surprisingly, was bee foraging experience. Thus, even though benefits bee, does alter female (and potentially male) fitness for plant. discuss potential reasons patterns consequences behavior evolution.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Floral cues and flower-handling tactics affect switching decisions by nectar-foraging bumble bees DOI
Minjung Baek,

Jonathan S. Garcia,

Daniel R. Papaj

et al.

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 215, P. 163 - 175

Published: Aug. 3, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Hole Truth: Why Do Bumble Bees Rob Flowers More Than Once? DOI Creative Commons
Judith L. Bronstein, Goggy Davidowitz, Elinor M. Lichtenberg

et al.

Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13(17), P. 2507 - 2507

Published: Sept. 6, 2024

Primary nectar-robbers feed through holes they make in flowers, often bypassing the plant’s reproductive organs process. In many robbed plants, multiple are made a single flower. Why flower should be repeatedly is difficult to understand: hole signals that nectar forager has already fed, which would seem likely predict low rewards. We tested three explanations for this pattern Corydalis caseana (Fumariaceae), bumble bee pollinated and plant: (1) appear only after all flowers have been once; (2) individual foragers during visits; (3) it more profitable bees rob older even if robbed. these hypotheses from 2014 2016 Colorado, USA population using data on robbing rates over time, floral longevity, accumulation visited unvisited of across life flowers. Multiple were appearing when two-thirds still lacked hole, allowing us reject first hypothesis. The second hypothesis cannot offer full explanation because 35% additional appeared one or days was made. Repeated sampling bagged exposed inflorescences revealed filled at constant rate refilled completely being drained. Consequently, young consistently value compared had previously robbed, consistent with third While further studies needed, results simple paradoxical clustering nectar-robbing damage possibly other plant species.

Language: Английский

Citations

0