Lower pollen nutritional quality delays nest building and egg laying in Bombus terrestris audax micro-colonies leading to reduced biomass gain
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Harper Adams University; University of Chester; Syngenta; Imperial College LondonPublication Date
2021-09-27Submitted date
2021-02-23
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Abstract: The performance of Bombus terrestris micro-colonies fed five diets differing in pollen species composition and level of nine essential amino acids (EAA; leucine, lysine, valine, arginine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, threonine, histidine, methionine) was assessed for 37 days by recording total biomass gain, nest building initiation, brood production (eggs, small and large larvae, pupae, drones), nectar, and pollen collection. Stronger colony performance was linked to higher amino acid levels but no consistent differences in biomass gain were recorded between mono- and poly-species diets. Poorest performance occurred in micro-colonies offered pure oilseed rape (OSR) pollen which contained the lowest EAA levels. Reduced micro-colony development (delayed nest initiation and lower brood production) was related to OSR proportion in the diet and lower EAA levels. Results are discussed in relation to selection of plant species in the design of habitats to promote bee populations.Citation
Ryder, J. T., Cherrill, A., Thompson, H. M., & Walters, K. F. A. (2021). Lower pollen nutritional quality delays nest building and egg laying in Bombus terrestris audax micro-colonies leading to reduced biomass gain. Apidologie, 52(6), 1033-1047. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-021-00885-3Publisher
SpringerJournal
ApidologieAdditional Links
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13592-021-00885-3Type
articleDescription
From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-02-23, rev-recd 2021-07-16, accepted 2021-07-21, registration 2021-07-22, pub-electronic 2021-09-27, online 2021-09-27, pub-print 2021-12
Publication status: Published
Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000268; Grant(s): BB/M503447/1
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1007/s13592-021-00885-3
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