Visiting insect behaviour and pollen transport for a generalist oak-savannah wildflower, Camassia quamash (Asparagaceae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
N.F. Rammell ◽  
S.D. Gillespie ◽  
E. Elle
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Pollinator Effectiveness ◽  
Insect Behaviour ◽  
Pollen Transport ◽  
Pollen Receipt ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
Pollen Analyses

AbstractMany studies have investigated plant-pollinator interactions using visit records of insects contacting floral reproductive organs. However, these studies may not reflect the effectiveness of visits, since factors such as visitor behaviour and the composition of pollen on their bodies may influence conspecific pollen transfer required for fertilisation in plants. Here we study how pollen transport to a generalist wildflower, Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene (Asparagaceae), is influenced by the behaviour and body pollen of five functional visitor groups (Andrena Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)/Halictidae (Hymenoptera), Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Bombus Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae), Osmia Panzer (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), and Syrphidae (Diptera). We found that functional visitor groups differed in their behaviour (Bombus and Osmia were legitimate visitors, contacting both anthers and stigmas) and in the amount of conspecific pollen on their bodies (A. mellifera had the highest levels and Andrena/Halictidae the lowest). Conspecific pollen receipt by C. quamash stigmas was high (>80%), and best explained by visitor behaviour rather than the proportion of visitors with high amounts of conspecific body pollen. Our findings highlight the utility of pollen analyses for understanding pollinator effectiveness.

scholarly journals The worldwide importance of honey bees as pollinators in natural habitats

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1870) ◽  
pp. 20172140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keng-Lou James Hung ◽  
Jennifer M. Kingston ◽  
Matthias Albrecht ◽  
David A. Holway ◽  
Joshua R. Kohn
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Interaction Networks ◽  
Flowering Plant ◽  
Pollinator Effectiveness ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Floral Visitor ◽  
Native And Introduced Ranges ◽  
Plant Pollinator

The western honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) is the most frequent floral visitor of crops worldwide, but quantitative knowledge of its role as a pollinator outside of managed habitats is largely lacking. Here we use a global dataset of 80 published plant–pollinator interaction networks as well as pollinator effectiveness measures from 34 plant species to assess the importance of A. mellifera in natural habitats. Apis mellifera is the most frequent floral visitor in natural habitats worldwide, averaging 13% of floral visits across all networks (range 0–85%), with 5% of plant species recorded as being exclusively visited by A. mellifera . For 33% of the networks and 49% of plant species, however, A. mellifera visitation was never observed, illustrating that many flowering plant taxa and assemblages remain dependent on non- A. mellifera visitors for pollination. Apis mellifera visitation was higher in warmer, less variable climates and on mainland rather than island sites, but did not differ between its native and introduced ranges. With respect to single-visit pollination effectiveness, A. mellifera did not differ from the average non- A. mellifera floral visitor, though it was generally less effective than the most effective non- A. mellifera visitor. Our results argue for a deeper understanding of how A. mellifera , and potential future changes in its range and abundance, shape the ecology, evolution, and conservation of plants, pollinators, and their interactions in natural habitats.

scholarly journals The Ability of Honey Bee Drones to Ejaculate

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Czekońska ◽  
Bożena Chuda-Mickiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Analysis And Evaluation ◽  
Anatomical Changes ◽  
Manual Method ◽  
Delayed Development

Abstract The effectiveness of two methods of collecting semen from honeybee Apis mellifera drones was compared, and the reasons for problems with ejaculating semen were analysed. Among 275 drones, 100 were stimulated to release semen using a manual method, 100 with the use of chloroform, and from 75 drones the reproductive organs were dissected for analysis and evaluation. It was found that the principal causes of problems that drones had with ejaculating their semen were anatomical changes or a delay in the development of the mucus glands. It was also found that the method employing chloroform was less efficient in the first phase of eversion of the endophallus, compared with the manual method. The method with the use of chloroform allows the determination of the proportion of drones, which do not evert the endophallus because of poor or delayed development of mucus glands, as well as the proportion of drones which evert the organ, but do not ejaculate semen because of the absence of semen in the seminal vesicles.

scholarly journals Melliferous flora and pollen characterization of honey samples of Apis mellifera L., 1758 in apiaries in the counties of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora, PR

2013 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 307-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELIZABETE S. SEKINE ◽  
VAGNER A.A. TOLEDO ◽  
MARCELO G. CAXAMBU ◽  
SUZANE CHMURA ◽  
ELIZA H. TAKASHIBA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Ricinus Communis ◽  
Cultivated Plants ◽  
Melia Azedarach ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Pollen Types ◽  
Pollen Analyses

The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the flora with potential for beekeeping in the counties of Ubiratã and Nova Aurora-PR through the collection of plants and pollen analyses in honey samples collected monthly. 208 species of plants were recorded, distributed in 66 families. The families that showed the major richness of pollen types were: Asteraceae, Myrtaceae and Solanaceae. Approximately 80 pollen types were found in honey samples, most of them were characterized as heterofloral. Cultivated plants, such as Glycine max (soybean) and Eucalyptus spp., were representative in some months of the year. Exotic species, such as Ricinus communis and Melia azedarach, were also frequent. However, over than 50% of the pollen types belong to native species of the region, such as Schinus terebinthifolius, Baccharis spp. Alchornea triplinervia, Parapiptadenia rigida, Hexaclamys edulis, Zanthoxylum sp. and Serjania spp., indicating the importance of the native vegetation for the survival of the colonies.

Memoirs: The Muscles of the Adult Honey-bee (Apis mellifera L.)

1928 ◽  
Vol s2-71 (284) ◽  
pp. 563-651
Author(s):  
GUY D. MORISON
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Alimentary Canal ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Muscle Attachment ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
Histological Appearance ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Alary Muscles

1. The entire musculature of the alimentary canal is described in gross and in histological detail. The development of the muscle is considered. The innervation is described, likewise the tracheation and its relation to muscular activity and the bloodstream. 2. The heart is described with a detailed histological account of its muscle-fibres. Its tracheation is described and its apparent lack of innervation is discussed. 3. The ‘alary’ muscles of the dorsal diaphragm are described with a detailed account of their histology, innervation, and tracheation. 4. The ventral diaphragm is described as well as the histology, innervation, and tracheation of its muscle-fibres. The course of blood and physiological questions connected with it receive discussion. 5. The muscles of the reproductive organs of drone, queen, and worker are described with particular reference to the histology, innervation, tracheation, and physiology of their fibres. 6. The indirect muscles of the wings (fibrous muscle) have their histology, innervation, and tracheation described in detail. The method of contraction of the entire muscles and of the individual fibres and fibrils is discussed. The sarcosomes are described with their physiological significance to contraction. 7. The attachment of all the types of muscle found in the bee is described in histological detail. Different opinions of muscle attachment to chitin are summarized. 8. Throughout the paper, histological measurements are given for the various types of muscle-fibres and their nuclei in the three castes of bee. Since in the three castes the histological appearance is so similar for each type of muscle, the illustrations have been limited to portions of the muscles of worker bees.

scholarly journals Pollinator effectiveness of a specialist bee exploiting a generalist plant—tracking pollen transfer by Heriades truncorum with quantum dots

Apidologie ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Konzmann ◽  
Margareta Kluth ◽  
Deniz Karadana ◽  
Klaus Lunau
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Dots ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Pollen Germination ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Pollinator Effectiveness ◽  
Flower Constancy ◽  
Single Visit ◽  
Heriades Truncorum ◽  
Open Control

AbstractHeriades truncorum (Megachilidae) is a specialist bee that forages on Asteraceae and collects pollen by tapping its abdomen on pollen-presenting florets which places the grains directly in the ventral scopa. We tracked pollen transfer by female H. truncorum between conspecific inflorescences of Inula ensifolia and Pulicaria dysenterica by labelling pollen with quantum dots. On average, bees transferred 31.14 (I. ensifolia) and 9.96 (P. dysenterica) pollen grains from the last visited inflorescence, 39% and 45% of which were placed on receptive styles. Pollen germination ratio is significantly lower for inflorescences of P. dysenterica visited by one H. truncorum (0.13%) compared with open control inflorescences (0.51%), which suggests that the bees mainly transfer self-pollen of these self-incompatible plants. Thus, a single visit by H. truncorum does not grant the plant high reproductive success, but the bees’ abundance and flower constancy might reduce this disadvantage.

scholarly journals Plant-pollinator interactions in Crambe abyssinicaHochst. (Brassicaceae) associated with environmental variables

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lívia C. Simioni ◽  
Rosilda M. Mussury ◽  
Munir Mauad ◽  
Daiane M. Dresh ◽  
Fabricio F. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Weekly Basis ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Crambe Abyssinica ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Despite the economic importance of Crambe abyssinica, the present study is the first report on bees that occur with this species, and could aid in developing alternative methods for controlling insect pests without seriously impacting pollinators. The present study examined the following questions: (1) Which species are potential pollinators of C. abyssinica? (2) How do environmental conditions influence pollinator visitation fluctuations? Insects were sampled on a weekly basis between 08:00 and 16:00 during five weeks of flowering. When the results of analyses of variance were significant, the data was adjusted using regression equations at a 5% level of probability; the environmental variables were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Apis mellifera, Geotrigona mombuca, Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) fulvofasciata, Plebeia sp. and Dialictus sp. were observed visiting C. abyssinica flowers. A. melliferaand G. mombucawere observed to be potential pollinators, with the former demonstrating visitation peaks during flowering weeks II and IV at 12:00 and 08:00, respectively and the latter visiting during weeks III and IV at 12:00 and 10:00, respectively. Environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed have different effect on the activity of bees.

scholarly journals Female developmental environment delays development of male honeybee (Apis mellifera)

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Bo Liu ◽  
Yao Yi ◽  
Amal Abdelmawla ◽  
Yun Lin Zheng ◽  
Zhi Jiang Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Larval Stage ◽  
Sex Differentiation ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Caste Differentiation ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Male Development ◽  
Reproductive Tissues ◽  
Body Sizes

Abstract Background Nutrition and cell size play an important role in the determination of caste differentiation in queen and worker of honeybees (Apis mellifera), whereas the haploid genome dominates the differentiation of drones. However, the effects of female developmental environment on the development of males remain unclear. In this study, young drone larvae were transferred into worker cells (WCs) or remained in drone cells (DCs) to rear drones. The drone larvae were also grafted into queen cells (QCs) for 48 h and then transplanted into drone cells until emerging. Morphological indexes and reproductive organs of these three types of newly emerged drones were measured. Newly emerged drones and third instar drone larvae from WCs, DCs and QCs were sequenced by RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Results The amount of food remaining in cells of the QC and WC groups was significantly different to that in the DC group at the early larval stage. Morphological results showed that newly emerged DC drones had bigger body sizes and more well-developed reproductive tissues than WC and QC drones, whereas the reproductive tissues of QC drones were larger than those of WC drones. Additionally, whole body gene expression results showed a clear difference among three groups. At larval stage there were 889, 1761 and 1927 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in WC/DC, QC/DC and WC/QC comparisons, respectively. The number of DEGs decreased in adult drones of these three comparisons [678 (WC/DC), 338 (QC/DC) and 518 (WC/QC)]. A high number of DEGs were involved in sex differentiation, growth, olfaction, vision, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt signaling pathways, and other processes. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the developmental environment of honeybee females can delay male development, which may serve as a model for understanding the regulation of sex differentiation and male development in social insects by environmental factors.

scholarly journals Honeybees prefer novel insect-pollinated flower shapes over bird-pollinated flower shapes

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scarlett R Howard ◽  
Mani Shrestha ◽  
Juergen Schramme ◽  
Jair E Garcia ◽  
Aurore Avarguès-Weber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Choice Behavior ◽  
Prior Experience ◽  
Flower Color ◽  
Gray Scale ◽  
Visual Signaling ◽  
Flower Shape ◽  
Flower Evolution ◽  
Plant Pollinator ◽  
European Honeybee

AbstractPlant–pollinator interactions have a fundamental influence on flower evolution. Flower color signals are frequently tuned to the visual capabilities of important pollinators such as either bees or birds, but far less is known about whether flower shape influences the choices of pollinators. We tested European honeybee Apis mellifera preferences using novel achromatic (gray-scale) images of 12 insect-pollinated and 12 bird-pollinated native Australian flowers in Germany; thus, avoiding influences of color, odor, or prior experience. Independent bees were tested with a number of parameterized images specifically designed to assess preferences for size, shape, brightness, or the number of flower-like shapes present in an image. We show that honeybees have a preference for visiting images of insect-pollinated flowers and such a preference is most-likely mediated by holistic information rather than by individual image parameters. Our results indicate angiosperms have evolved flower shapes which influence the choice behavior of important pollinators, and thus suggest spatial achromatic flower properties are an important part of visual signaling for plant–pollinator interactions.

scholarly journals Nocturnal pollinators strongly contribute to pollen transport of wild flowers in an agricultural landscape

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 20190877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Walton ◽  
Carl D. Sayer ◽  
Helen Bennion ◽  
Jan C. Axmacher
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Pollen Transport ◽  
Plant Families ◽  
Nocturnal Pollinators ◽  
Flower Visiting ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Dramatic declines in diurnal pollinators have created great scientific interest in plant–pollinator relationships and associated pollination services. Existing literature, however, is generally focused on diurnal pollinating insect taxa, especially on Apidae (Hymenoptera) and Syrphidae (Diptera) pollinators, while nocturnal macro-moths that comprise extremely species-rich flower-visiting families have been largely neglected. Here, we report that in agricultural landscapes, macro-moths can provide unique, highly complex pollen transport links, making them vital components of overall wild plant–pollinator networks in agro-ecosystems. Pollen transport occurred more frequently on the moths' ventral thorax rather than on their mouthparts that have been traditionally targeted for pollen swabbing. Pollen transport loads suggest that nocturnal moths contribute key pollination services for several wild plant families in agricultural landscapes, in addition to providing functional resilience to diurnal networks. Severe declines in richness and abundance of settling moth populations highlight the urgent need to include them in future management and conservation strategies within agricultural landscapes.

The Timing and Patterning of Flowering

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pat Willmer
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Flowering Phenology ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Flower Longevity ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Flowering Pattern ◽  
Floral Longevity ◽  
Pollen Receipt

This chapter examines the factors that affect the timing and patterning of flowering, as well as the effects of different flowering patterns on pollination outcomes. Plants should flower in ways that maximize their own reproductive success. The “flowering pattern” is a composite of the timing and frequency of individual flowers opening, and also of floral longevity. These phenological factors vary between and within species. Flowering phenology can influence the plant’s manipulation of its visitors in ways that should increase either or both of pollen transfer and pollen receipt. The chapter first considers the frequency of flowering and the shape of the flowering period before discussing flower longevity and flowering period. It also explores the question of how big a flower should be, how many flowers a plant should have at any one time, what determines the phenological parameters for a particular plant species, and where the flowers should be placed.

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