Implications of Pollen Feeding Time on

Fecundity of Bombus terrestris L.

Bumble Bee Microcolonies
W. Collier, J. Daniel, F. Owen
Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK.
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ABSTRACT

We measured the times that Bombus terrestris L. microcolonies spent on a pollen block in 5-minute
intervals. We took repeat readings for each microcolony to ensure correlation in times spent on the
pollen block. We then euthanised the colonies and counted the number of offspring produced by
each microcolony. We measured the correlation between mean total time spent on the pollen block
and the number of offspring produced in each microcolony of Bombus terrestris L. We found there
to be a moderately strong correlation between time spent on pollen block and reproductive success

When compared to results from research into effects of food availability on Osmia pumila, it was
also discovered that reduced food availability resulted in reduced rates of brood production (K.
Goodell 2003). Our results appear to agree, although in our micro-colonies, it was behaviour rather
than availability that limited the pollen availability and affected the number of offspring

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INTRODUCTION

Current trends in wild bee populations show a marked global decline; In North America, the relative
abundancy of four species was shown to have declined by up to 96% with their ranges declining by
23–87%, within the last 20 years (S. Cameron et al. 2011). This is in part due to reduced geographical
ranges, increased agriculture and pesticide use, and levels of pathogen infection in bumble bee
pathogen infections in populations. Bumble bees play an important ecological role, pollinating a
wide range of wild and agricultural plant species, remaining active in low temperatures, bumble bees
are reliable pollinators in unpredictable climates (D. Goulson 2010). Bees increase the production
and stability of 70% of global crops (T. Ricketts et al. 2008), and pollinators are worth around £603
million to the UK alone in agriculture (N. Hanley et al. 2013), making them a valuable economic as
well as ecological asset.

Current research into phenotypic and environmental factors affecting bee populations are numerous
and have successfully identified a range of biotic and abiotic factors that are impacting wild bee
populations. However, little research has gone into the effects of life history traits on bee
populations, and their potential to preserve or hinder the ability of the bee to survive current
adverse environments and adapt to rapidly changing climates. With a changing conditions and rapid
loss and degradation of the Bombus terrestris L.’s habitat, adaptations in life histories, more than
phenotypic selection may play a role in ensuring the species survival; behavioural adaptations may
help Bombus terrestris L. populations survive in changing habitats, as shifts in the adaptive landscape
drive shifts in life history traits.

We set out to determine whether a given life history trait, such as in our case, the time spent on
collecting pollen from a pollen block, would have an effect on the reproductive success of the
microcolony.
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1
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METHOD

Bumble bees: provenance and husbandry

Bumble bee colonies (Bombus terrestris L.) were obtained from a commercial supplier (Agralan Ltd,
UK). Four workers from the same colony were placed in a two-compartment microcolony box
(softwood construction with a clear plastic top) with a pollen ball in one section and syrup feeders
(50% sucrose) in the other. Between observations, the microcolonies were maintained in a
controlled temperature room at 25 C and 40% relative humidity. The bees were left to acclimatise
to their environment before we took our first set of results.

Method

For our first set of results, we measured the total time that the microcolony spent on the pollen
block in a 5-minute interval, measuring results between 0-20 minutes. After one week we took a
second set of measurements at a similar time of day, again measuring the time that the bees spent
on the pollen block in another 5-minute interval.

One week later, we euthanised and dissected the bee colonies, counting the total number of
offspring produced in each colony after three weeks.

By comparing, times from weeks, we asserted that there was a behavioural correlation of time spent
on the pollen block. By then comparing of mean of their times spent on the pollen block and the
total number of offspring produced in each colony, we found a positive correlation between time
spent on the pollen block, and the number of offspring produced by Bombus terrestris L.
microcolonies

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RESULTS
Week 1 Week 2 Mean Time Spent
Bee Total
Total Time spent on Total Time spent on on Pollen Block
Colony Offspring
Pollen Block per 5 mins Pollen Block per 5 mins per 5 mins
1 19.47 14.33 16.9 20
2 18.35 15.51 16.93 12
3 20 19.29 19.645 18
4 20 18.54 19.27 30
5 12.26 14.37 13.315 11
6 16.45 17.02 16.735 21
7 19.58 20 19.79 24
8 18.04 19.23 18.635 14
9 20 18.09 19.045 20
10 14.1 16.18 15.14 19
11 17.2 15.05 16.125 15
12 20 19.48 19.74 29
13 10.22 11.41 10.815 17
14 20 15.42 17.71 22
Figure 1. Table of results showing the total times spent on the block (mins) and the total
number of offspring individuals produced by each microcolony of Apis mellifera

2
 Graph showing the Time Spent on Pollen Block
against Number of Offspring produced
35

30
Number of Young Produced
25

20

15 R² = 0.2863
10

0
10 12 14 16 18 20 22
Mean Total Time Spent on Pollen Block/5mins (mins)
Figure 2. Graph showing the correlation between average total time spent on the pollen block (x-axis),
and the total number of offspring individuals produced each microcolony after 3 weeks (y-axis)

Graph showing correlation between Times Spent

on Pollen Block from Week 1 to Week 2
20
Week 2 Total Time Spent on Pollen

19
18
Block/5mins (mins)

17
16
15
14
R² = 0.4915
13
12
11
10
10 12 14 16 18 20
Week 1 Total Time Spent on Pollen Block/5mins (mins)

Figure 3. Graph showing the correlations between time spent on the pollen block between the first
(x-axis) and second weeks (y-axis) per 5-minute interval (minutes)

An increase in the time that individuals in a microcolony of Bombus terrestris L. results in an increase
in the reproductive success of the colony; measurable through the number of offspring successfully
produced (Correlation Coefficient = 0.53504, P value= 0.04869 at p < 0.05).

There was also correlation between time spent on the pollen block in the first set of measurements
(Week 1) and the second set of measurements (Correlation Coefficient = 0.701063, P value =
0.005221 at p < 0.05) indicating that the time spent on the pollen block was a behavioural trait
rather than random

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DISCUSSION

We found that microcolonies of Bombus terrestris L. that showed traits leading to them spending
more time harvesting the pollen block showed more reproductive success. Though in our range of
data it suggests a positive trend, as it is a life history trait, it is likely to be a small part of a much
larger pattern in the adaptive landscape. It is also probable that the correlation is not linear at all,
however in our data range, a linear approach is the best method for determining correlation and its
significance.

Our results imply that most bees already spend higher proportions of their time feeding on the
pollen block. For bees in the wild, higher availability of pollen would likely increase food collection
and result in increased brood sizes.

Compared to other research results (K. Goodell 2003) who found a positive correlation, but not a
significant one, our results show similar trends, but were found to be significant at a p<0.5, implying
a positive correlation between time spent feeding on the pollen block, and number of offspring
produced per brood.

Bees use pollen as food for their larvae (R. Thorp 1999), and so increased pollen availability means
that a smaller population of bees is able to maintain a much larger population of larvae. Less time is
spent searching for pollen and more time is spent tending to the larvae and collecting the pollen
ensuring increased reproductive success.

This may be useful in conserving wild colonies by providing a greater source of pollen through
habitat management. It may also be useful in the production of colonies for agricultural use as it may
increase the efficiency and speed at which new colonies can be produced.

It should be noted that conditions in the wild may differ from the conditions experienced by the
microcolonies in the experiment. There was no competition, the microcolonies experienced warmer
temperatures that reduced the need for the bees to provide metabolic heat and warm the
incubating offspring (J. Tautz et al. 2003), and we did not take into account the behavioural
implications of microcolonies establishing a new queen and hierarchy.

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REFERENCES
[1] K. Goodell: Food availability affects Osmia pumila (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) foraging, reproduction, and brood parasitism:
Oecologia (2003) 134:518–527 DOI 10.1007/s00442-002-1159-2

[2] S. A. Cameron, et al.: Patterns of widespread decline in North American bumble bees: PNAS January 11, 2011. 108 (2) 662-667

[3] D. Goulson Bumblebees: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation 2nd Edition: Oxford University Press 2010

[4] T. Ricketts et al. Landscape effects on crop pollination services: are there general patterns? 19 February 2008

[5] N. Hanley et al. Accounting for the Value of Pollination Services: Valuation for Natural Capital Accounting workshop, London,
November 11th, 2013: Issue Paper 1.3 Valuation for Accounting Seminar 11/11/2013

[6] R. Thorp: The Collection of Pollen by Bees: Pollen and Pollination Chapter 11

[7] J. Tautz et al. Behavioural performance in adult honey bees is influenced by the temperature experienced during their pupal
development: PNAS June 10, 2003. 100 (12) 7343-7347

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