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Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) Cover

Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

By: Aneta Sikora and  Maria Kelm  
Open Access
|Jan 2013

Abstract

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are morphologically different from each other as determined by the length of their tongue. Seven species of bumblebees were identified in the Wrocław Botanical Garden: the long-tongued Bombus hortorum, and the medium-tongued B. pascuorum, and the 5 short-tongued species, Bombus hypnorum, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum, and Bombus pratorum. Bumblebees were observed so that their choice of food within the botanical family could be determined. The shape and colour choice of the flower was particularly noted. Bumblebees showed the highest degree of preference for the Lamiaceae family. The Boraginaceae family was also used by all of the recorded species. Bumblebees found pink and purple, lipped, capitular/ globular, and saucer-shaped flowers to be most attractive. The individual species of bumblebees showed different preferences, which may be explained by the differences in their morphology. However, bumblebee flower preference and selection seems to be more complex and requires further, detailed research.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10289-012-0021-y | Journal eISSN: 2299-4831 | Journal ISSN: 1643-4439
Language: English
Page range: 27 - 36
Published on: Jan 12, 2013
Published by: Research Institute of Horticulture
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2013 Aneta Sikora, Maria Kelm, published by Research Institute of Horticulture
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.