Presentation Details
| Influence of entrance on pollen patterns within the honey bee nest. P Prathibha. Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA |
Abstract
Entrance is a physical gateway between western honey bee nests (Apis mellifera) and the outside environment and influences nest characteristics (e.g., dance floor). However, the role of entrance in nest organization is poorly understood. In this study, we explored the role of entrance on pollen patterns in the nest. We established eight colonies into nests with modified entrances that directed pollen foragers to walk onto the comb closest to the entrance. We mapped these nests 3 weeks after installation and found a pollen-dominant signal near entrance (92.9±3.3% of total pollen). In half of these colonies, we maintained the comb order, and the pollen signal persisted for two more weeks (91.6±1.6% of total pollen near entrance; n=3). However, in colonies where we changed the relative location of combs from the entrance, the pollen-dominant signal disappeared in two weeks (90.5±5.7% to 20.1±9.6%; n=5). Finally, we showed that entrance had no effect on pollen patterns if it did not direct pollen foragers to walk onto a specific comb (9 colonies). Combined, we suggest that entrance influence pollen patterns in 3-dimensional nests only if it biases access to specific combs in the nest.
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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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