scholarly journals Complex relationship between amino acids, fitness and food intake in Bombus terrestris

Amino Acids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ruth Archer ◽  
Johannes Fähnle ◽  
Maximilian Pretzner ◽  
Cansu Üstüner ◽  
Nina Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Experimental Diet ◽  
Fitness Traits ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Ovarian Activation

AbstractThe ratio of amino acids to carbohydrates (AA:C) that bumble bees consume has been reported to affect their survival. However, it is unknown how dietary AA:C ratio affects other bumble bee fitness traits (e.g., fecundity, condition) and possible trade-offs between them. Moreover, while individual AAs affect phenotype in many species, the effects of AA blend on bumble bee fitness and food intake are unclear. We test how the AA:C ratio that bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) consume affects their condition (abdomen lipid and dry mass), survival following food removal, and ovarian activation. We then compare ovarian activation and food intake in bees fed identical AA:C ratios, but where the blend of AAs in diets differ, i.e., diets contained the same 10 AAs in an equimolar ratio or in the same ratio as in bee collected pollen. We found that AA:C ratio did not significantly affect survival following food removal or ovarian activation; however, high AA intake increased body mass, which is positively correlated with multiple fitness traits in bumble bees. AA blend (i.e., equimolar versus pollen) did not significantly affect overall ovarian activation or consumption of each experimental diet. However, there was an interaction between AA mix and dietary AA:C ratio affecting survival during the feeding experiment, and signs that there may have been weak, interactive effects of AA mix and AA:C ratio on food consumption. These results suggest that the effect of total AA intake on bumble bee phenotype may depend on the blend of individual AAs in experimental diets. We suggest that research exploring how AA blend affects bumble bee performance and dietary intake is warranted, and highlight that comparing research on bee nutrition is complicated by even subtle variation in experimental diet composition.

scholarly journals Olfactory coding in the antennal lobe of the bumble bee Bombus terrestris

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel Mertes ◽  
Julie Carcaud ◽  
Jean-Christophe Sandoz
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Antennal Lobe ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Carbon Chain Length ◽  
Olfactory Coding ◽  
Major Transitions

AbstractSociality is classified as one of the major transitions in evolution, with the largest number of eusocial species found in the insect order Hymenoptera, including the Apini (honey bees) and the Bombini (bumble bees). Bumble bees and honey bees not only differ in their social organization and foraging strategies, but comparative analyses of their genomes demonstrated that bumble bees have a slightly less diverse family of olfactory receptors than honey bees, suggesting that their olfactory abilities have adapted to different social and/or ecological conditions. However, unfortunately, no precise comparison of olfactory coding has been performed so far between honey bees and bumble bees, and little is known about the rules underlying olfactory coding in the bumble bee brain. In this study, we used in vivo calcium imaging to study olfactory coding of a panel of floral odorants in the antennal lobe of the bumble bee Bombus terrestris. Our results show that odorants induce reproducible neuronal activity in the bumble bee antennal lobe. Each odorant evokes a different glomerular activity pattern revealing this molecule’s chemical structure, i.e. its carbon chain length and functional group. In addition, pairwise similarity among odor representations are conserved in bumble bees and honey bees. This study thus suggests that bumble bees, like honey bees, are equipped to respond to odorants according to their chemical features.

scholarly journals Adding Amino Acids to a Sucrose Diet Is Not Sufficient to Support Longevity of Adult Bumble Bees

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Grund-Mueller ◽  
Fabian A. Ruedenauer ◽  
Johannes Spaethe ◽  
Sara D. Leonhardt
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Amino Acid Content ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Nutrient Composition ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Essential Amino Acid Content

Dietary macro-nutrients (i.e., carbohydrates, protein, and fat) are important for bee larval development and, thus, colony health and fitness. To which extent different diets (varying in macro-nutrient composition) affect adult bees and whether they can thrive on nectar as the sole amino acid source has, however, been little investigated. We investigated how diets varying in protein concentration and overall nutrient composition affected consumption, longevity, and breeding behavior of the buff-tailed bumble bee, Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Queenless micro-colonies were fed either natural nutrient sources (pollen), nearly pure protein (i.e., the milk protein casein), or sucrose solutions with low and with high essential amino acid content in concentrations as can be found in nectar. We observed micro-colonies for 110 days. We found that longevity was highest for pure pollen and lowest for pure sucrose solution and sucrose solution supplemented with amino acids in concentrations as found in the nectar of several plant species. Adding higher concentrations of amino acids to sucrose solution did only slightly increase longevity compared to sucrose alone. Consequently, sucrose solution with the applied concentrations and proportions of amino acids or other protein sources (e.g., casein) alone did not meet the nutritional needs of healthy adult bumble bees. In fact, longevity was highest and reproduction only successful in micro-colonies fed pollen. These results indicate that, in addition to carbohydrates and protein, adult bumble bees, like larvae, need further nutrients (e.g., lipids and micro-nutrients) for their well-being. An appropriate nutritional composition seemed to be best provided by floral pollen, suggesting that pollen is an essential dietary component not only for larvae but also for adult bees.

scholarly journals Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus terrestris) collecting honeydew from the giant willow aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 75-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney A. Cameron ◽  
Sarah A. Corbet ◽  
James B. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Ambient Conditions ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Phloem Sap ◽  
Evaporative Concentration ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Leaf Surfaces

Only rarely have bumble bees (Bombus) been observed collecting honeydew from aphids (Aphididae) feeding on phloem sap. This behavior may be rare because the percentage of sugar in honeydew egested from aphids is generally well below the sugar concentration in floral nectars preferred by bumble bees. Nonetheless, in August 2018, near St. Buryan, Penzance, Cornwall, UK (56.0602N; -5.6034W) we observed large numbers of wild Bombusterrestris (Linnaeus) collecting honeydew from a colony of the giant willow aphid Tuberolachnussalignus Gmelin feeding on the stems of the willow Salixalba. Unlike aphid-tending ants, who glean fresh honeydew directly from the aphid anal opening, the bumble bees were collecting honeydew from leaf litter below the aphid colony. We hypothesized that honeydew collected from exposed ground surfaces was more concentrated due to evaporation under ambient conditions than that released directly from the anus (fresh honeydew). We thus monitored sugar concentrations of fresh honeydew and compared them with the concentrations of the crop contents of worker bumble bees foraging from the leaf litter. Our data show that the concentration of sugar in fresh honeydew was as much as 10% w/w lower than that collected from leaf surfaces, as measured from the crop contents of foragers. The unusually hot, dry weather in Cornwall may have enhanced evaporative concentration of honeydew while restricting floral nectar sources, thus favoring honeydew collection by B.terrestris, a generalist bumble bee forager.

scholarly journals Geographic profiling applied to testing models of bumble-bee foraging

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (32) ◽  
pp. 307-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel E Raine ◽  
D. Kim Rossmo ◽  
Steven C Le Comber
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Data ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Foraging Patterns ◽  
Geographic Profiling ◽  
Gp Model

Geographic profiling (GP) was originally developed as a statistical tool to help police forces prioritize lists of suspects in investigations of serial crimes. GP uses the location of related crime sites to make inferences about where the offender is most likely to live, and has been extremely successful in criminology. Here, we show how GP is applicable to experimental studies of animal foraging, using the bumble-bee Bombus terrestris . GP techniques enable us to simplify complex patterns of spatial data down to a small number of parameters (2–3) for rigorous hypothesis testing. Combining computer model simulations and experimental observation of foraging bumble-bees, we demonstrate that GP can be used to discriminate between foraging patterns resulting from (i) different hypothetical foraging algorithms and (ii) different food item (flower) densities. We also demonstrate that combining experimental and simulated data can be used to elucidate animal foraging strategies: specifically that the foraging patterns of real bumble-bees can be reliably discriminated from three out of nine hypothetical foraging algorithms. We suggest that experimental systems, like foraging bees, could be used to test and refine GP model predictions, and that GP offers a useful technique to analyse spatial animal behaviour data in both the laboratory and field.

scholarly journals Evidence for and against deformed wing virus spillover from honey bees to bumble bees: a reverse genetic analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olesya N. Gusachenko ◽  
Luke Woodford ◽  
Katharin Balbirnie-Cumming ◽  
Eugene V. Ryabov ◽  
David J. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Major Contributor ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Resistance To Infection

Abstract Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a persistent pathogen of European honey bees and the major contributor to overwintering colony losses. The prevalence of DWV in honey bees has led to significant concerns about spillover of the virus to other pollinating species. Bumble bees are both a major group of wild and commercially-reared pollinators. Several studies have reported pathogen spillover of DWV from honey bees to bumble bees, but evidence of a sustained viral infection characterized by virus replication and accumulation has yet to be demonstrated. Here we investigate the infectivity and transmission of DWV in bumble bees using the buff-tailed bumble bee Bombus terrestris as a model. We apply a reverse genetics approach combined with controlled laboratory conditions to detect and monitor DWV infection. A novel reverse genetics system for three representative DWV variants, including the two master variants of DWV—type A and B—was used. Our results directly confirm DWV replication in bumble bees but also demonstrate striking resistance to infection by certain transmission routes. Bumble bees may support DWV replication but it is not clear how infection could occur under natural environmental conditions.

scholarly journals Managed bumble bees are viable as pollinators in netted kiwifruit orchards

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian T. Cutting ◽  
Lisa J. Evans ◽  
Ludivine I. Paugam ◽  
Heather M. McBrydie ◽  
Linley K. Jesson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Set ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Bee Pollination ◽  
Flower Visitation ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Effective Pollinators

Protected cropping can increase orchard productivity; however, enclosed environments can be disruptive to pollinators. Bumble bees (Bombus terrestris) forage under covers, but industries lack guidelines for using them as pollinators. Here conservative stocking rates for bumble bees in covered kiwifruit orchards were identified using empirical manipulation of bee density and theoretical calculations based on bee behaviour. Bumble bee pollination at two bee densities (24 and 72 colonies/ha) was assessed within two fully netted sections (1/25 ha each) in a Gold3 kiwifruit orchard. Predictive modelling was used to estimate total bees required for pollination while actual pollination in the two blocks was measured directly. There was no difference in flower visitation rate between stocking densities but a 20% increase in seed set was found at high bee density. It was estimated that 90% of a Gold3 crop could be pollinated by 914 foraging bees/ha, or between 22 and 48 colonies/ha at the strengths used in this study. Bumble bees are effective pollinators in protected cropping environments and provide a viable tool for managed pollination under nets. A theoretical approach to refining stocking rates is a good option when manipulating pollinator densities is not possible.

scholarly journals Juvenile hormone interacts with multiple factors to modulate aggression and dominance in groups of orphan bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) workers

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Pandey ◽  
Uzi Motro ◽  
Guy Bloch
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Dominance Rank ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Similar Body

AbstractJuvenile hormone (JH) is a key regulator of insect development and reproduction. Given that JH commonly affects adult insect fertility, it has been hypothesized to also regulate behaviors such as dominance and aggression that are associated with reproduction. We tested this hypothesis in the bumble bee Bombus terrestris for which JH has been shown to be the major gonadotropin. We used the allatoxin Precocene-I (P-I) to reduce hemolymph JH titers and replacement therapy with the natural JH to revert this effect. In small orphan groups of workers with similar body size but mixed treatment, P-I treated bees showed lower aggressiveness, oogenesis, and dominance rank compared with control and replacement therapy treated bees. In similar groups in which all bees were treated similarly, there was a clear dominance hierarchy, even in P-I and replacement therapy treatment groups in which the bees showed similar levels of ovarian activation. In a similar experiment in which bees differed in body size, larger bees were more likely to be dominant despite their similar JH treatment and ovarian state. In the last experiment, we show that JH manipulation does not affect dominance rank in groups that had already established a stable dominance hierarchy. These findings solve previous ambiguities concerning whether or not JH affects dominance in bumble bees. JH positively affects dominance, but bees with similar levels of JH can nevertheless establish dominance hierarchies. Thus, multiple factors including JH, body size, and previous experience affect dominance and aggression in social bumble bees.

scholarly journals Deformed Wing Virus spillover from honey bees to bumble bees: a reverse genetic study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olesya N Gusachenko ◽  
Luke Woodford ◽  
Katharin Balbirnie-Cumming ◽  
Ryabov Eugene V Ryabov ◽  
David J Evans
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Reverse Genetics ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Major Contributor ◽  
Reverse Genetic ◽  
Colony Losses ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Resistance To Infection

AbstractDeformed wing virus (DWV) is a persistent pathogen of European honey bees and the major contributor to overwintering colony losses. The prevalence of DWV in honey bees has led to significant concerns about spillover of the virus to other pollinating species. Bumble bees are both a major group of wild and commercially-reared pollinators. Several studies have reported pathogen spillover of DWV from honey bees to bumble bees, but evidence of a true sustained viral infection has yet to be demonstrated. Here we investigate the infectivity and transmission of DWV in bumble bees using the buff-tailed bumble bee Bombus terrestris as a model. We apply a reverse genetics approach combined with controlled laboratory conditions to detect and monitor DWV infection. A novel reverse genetics system for three representative DWV variants, including the two master variants of DWV - type A and B - was used. Our results directly confirm DWV replication in bumble bees but also demonstrate striking resistance to infection by certain routes. Bumble bees may support DWV replication but it is not clear how infection could occur under natural environmental conditions.

scholarly journals No evidence of effects or interaction between the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, and a common parasite in bumble bees

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e12486
Author(s):  
Edward A. Straw ◽  
Mark J.F. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Exposure ◽  
Multiple Stressors ◽  
Bombus Terrestris ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Acute Exposure ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Crithidia Bombi ◽  
Bee Health ◽  
Acute And Chronic Exposure

Background Glyphosate is the world’s most used pesticide and it is used without the mitigation measures that could reduce the exposure of pollinators to it. However, studies are starting to suggest negative impacts of this pesticide on bees, an essential group of pollinators. Accordingly, whether glyphosate, alone or alongside other stressors, is detrimental to bee health is a vital question. Bees are suffering declines across the globe, and pesticides, including glyphosate, have been suggested as being factors in these declines. Methods Here we test, across a range of experimental paradigms, whether glyphosate impacts a wild bumble bee species, Bombus terrestris. In addition, we build upon existing work with honey bees testing glyphosate-parasite interactions by conducting fully crossed experiments with glyphosate and a common bumble bee trypanosome gut parasite, Crithidia bombi. We utilised regulatory acute toxicity testing protocols, modified to allow for exposure to multiple stressors. These protocols are expanded upon to test for effects on long term survival (20 days). Microcolony testing, using unmated workers, was employed to measure the impacts of either stressor on a proxy of reproductive success. This microcolony testing was conducted with both acute and chronic exposure to cover a range of exposure scenarios. Results We found no effects of acute or chronic exposure to glyphosate, over a range of timespans post-exposure, on mortality or a range of sublethal metrics. We also found no interaction between glyphosate and Crithidia bombi in any metric, although there was conflicting evidence of increased parasite intensity after an acute exposure to glyphosate. In contrast to published literature, we found no direct impacts of this parasite on bee health. Our testing focussed on mortality and worker reproduction, so impacts of either or both of these stressors on other sublethal metrics could still exist. Conclusions Our results expand the current knowledge on glyphosate by testing a previously untested species, Bombus terrestris, using acute exposure, and by incorporating a parasite never before tested alongside glyphosate. In conclusion our results find that glyphosate, as an active ingredient, is unlikely to be harmful to bumble bees either alone, or alongside Crithidia bombi.

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