Free access article

Apidologie 37 (2006) 679-686
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2006047

Mating propensity of Bombus terrestris reared in different photoperiodic regimes

Yong Jung Kwon^a, Md. Ruhul Amin^a and Sang Jae Suh<sup>b

a</sup>  Department of Agricultural Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea
^b  Department of Horticulture, Sangju National University, Sangju 742-711, Korea

(Received 31 October 2005 - Revised 27 January 2006 - Accepted 13 February 2006 - published online 22 December 2006)

Abstract - The study investigated the mating propensity of Bombus terrestris by altering the photoperiod (L0:D24, L8:D16, L16:D8 and L24:D0) experienced by different age groups of bees. Three day old queens showed the lowest mating propensity under all photoperiod regimes. Queen mating propensity increased with age. Among the constant-dark treated bumblebees, the highest frequency of mating (68.33%) was observed for 9 day old queens. In contrast, 7 day old queens showed the highest mating propensities at L8:D16, L16:D8 and L24:D0 (88.33, 93.33 and 77.92%, respectively). The highest mating propensities under both short and long day conditions occurred with a queen-to-male ratio of 1:2. The maximum post-mating queen survival rate (96.67%) was found in L8:D16 conditions, and the lowest (60.83%) in L24:D0 condition. These different response patterns indicate that pre-mating light regimes greatly influence mating propensity of B. terrestris.

Key words: Bombus terrestris / photoperiod / mating

Corresponding author: ruhul_hstu@yahoo.com

© INRA, DIB-AGIB, EDP Sciences 2006

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