TY - JOUR
T1 - Nest construction and architecture of the Amazonian bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
AU - Taylor, Olivia Mariko
AU - Cameron, Sydney A.
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - The Amazonian bumble bee, Bombus transversalis, is mostly restricted to tropical rain forest of the Amazon Basin. Little is known of its biology, in part because its surface nests are cryptic and hard to find. Here we examine nest site characteristics, nest architecture and construction behavior from 16 colonies observed in different regions of Amazonia. We quantify structural features of the nest habitat and external and internal characteristics of the nests. We ascertain that nests are constructed on terra firme, on the surface of the ground and incorporate elements of growing vegetation as physical support. Nests consist of a thatched canopy of tightly woven leaves and rootlets, beneath which lies the brood and food storage pots. To build the nest, workers cut and transport leaves from the surrounding forest floor. Nests are dry inside, despite torrential rainfall and external relative humidity levels near 100%. Nests may be reused although a colony appears to persist for only one season.
AB - The Amazonian bumble bee, Bombus transversalis, is mostly restricted to tropical rain forest of the Amazon Basin. Little is known of its biology, in part because its surface nests are cryptic and hard to find. Here we examine nest site characteristics, nest architecture and construction behavior from 16 colonies observed in different regions of Amazonia. We quantify structural features of the nest habitat and external and internal characteristics of the nests. We ascertain that nests are constructed on terra firme, on the surface of the ground and incorporate elements of growing vegetation as physical support. Nests consist of a thatched canopy of tightly woven leaves and rootlets, beneath which lies the brood and food storage pots. To build the nest, workers cut and transport leaves from the surrounding forest floor. Nests are dry inside, despite torrential rainfall and external relative humidity levels near 100%. Nests may be reused although a colony appears to persist for only one season.
KW - Adaptation
KW - Bombus transversalis
KW - Colony life cycle
KW - Corbiculate bees
KW - Leaf-cutting behavior
KW - Neotropics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0041767350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0041767350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1051/apido:2003035
DO - 10.1051/apido:2003035
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0041767350
SN - 0044-8435
VL - 34
SP - 321
EP - 331
JO - Apidologie
JF - Apidologie
IS - 4
ER -