Presentation Details
| Efficacy of floral signals and bumblebee foraging behavior in UV-deficient environments Olivia Harris, Jessie Tanner, Claire Hemingway, . University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA |
Abstract
Flowers have evolved intricate visual displays to attract pollinators. Floral generalists like bumblebees rely on these visual signals for efficient foraging. Ultraviolet (UV) light plays a critical role in guiding bees’ foraging behavior, with many bee-pollinated plants exhibiting short-wavelength colors, like UV and blue. However, in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA, e.g., greenhouses, indoor grow facilities), UV light is greatly reduced or eliminated. Here, we investigated how these light conditions interact with UV floral signals to affect foraging behavior in common eastern bumblebees (Bombus impatiens). We hypothesized that UV-deficient environments affect the efficacy of floral signals by reducing floral contrast and saliency. To test this, we presented foraging bees with arrays of UV-patterned flowers displayed against simple or complex backgrounds under three lighting conditions (full UV, limited UV, no UV). We measured foraging latency, search time between flower visits, and total number of flowers visited. Our results will inform agricultural practices, especially as CEA plays an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change on crop production.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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