Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 27, Number 3, 1996
Page(s) 133 - 144
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19960302
Apidologie 27 (1996) 133-144
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19960302

Comparison of the effects of two kinds of commercially available pollen on colony development and queen production in the bumble bee Bombus terrestris L (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

M.F. Ribeiro, M.J. Duchateau and H.H.W. Velthuis

Department of Comparative Physiology, Ethology and Socio-Ecology Group, Utrecht University Postbus 80.086, 3508 TB Utrecht, the Netherlands

Abstract - The effects of two kinds of stored pollen (fresh and dried, kept in the freezer) on individuals and colonies of Bombus terrestris were investigated. The pattern of colony development, and the number and biomass of workers and males were similar for colonies fed on fresh-frozen pollen (FFP) and dried-frozen pollen (DFP). However, queens reared on DFP were smaller, had lower biomass, higher mortality and produced smaller colonies than queens reared on FFP.


Key words: Bombus terrestris / bumble bee / pollen / nutritive value / queen production