Free Access
Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 39, Number 3, May-June 2008
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Page(s) | 302 - 309 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2008001 | |
Published online | 27 February 2008 |
Apidologie 39 (2008) 302-309
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2008001
1 Institut für Zoologie, Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
2 Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, England
3 Institut für Verhaltensökologie, Universität Bern, Wohlenstraße 50a, 3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland
Received 23 January 2007 - Revised 22 November 2007 - Accepted 26 November 2007 - Published online 27 February 2008
Key words: Apis mellifera / queen losses / drone congregation area / swallow / predation
© INRA, DIB-AGIB, EDP Sciences 2008
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2008001
Predator-prey interaction between drones of Apis mellifera carnica and insectivorous birds
Martin H. Kärcher1, 2, Peter H.W. Biedermann1, 3, Norbert Hrassnigg1 and Karl Crailsheim11 Institut für Zoologie, Karl-Franzens Universität Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria
2 Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, England
3 Institut für Verhaltensökologie, Universität Bern, Wohlenstraße 50a, 3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland
Received 23 January 2007 - Revised 22 November 2007 - Accepted 26 November 2007 - Published online 27 February 2008
Abstract - Large offers of food usually do not remain unexploited in nature. For that reason several mechanisms have evolved to counteract predation, such as congregating in masses or producing a repellent substance. We investigated whether drones are preyed upon in any specific way by two swallow species, Hirundo rustica or Delichon urbica, in their drone congregation areas. Our results clearly showed that the birds preyed upon drones extremely sporadically and not in a specific way. Hence, the results have decisive consequences for apiculture, especially for the evolution of drone accumulation in congregation areas.
Key words: Apis mellifera / queen losses / drone congregation area / swallow / predation
© INRA, DIB-AGIB, EDP Sciences 2008