西藏熊蜂三新种(膜翅目:蜜蜂科,熊蜂属)

丽熊蜂亚属 Nobilibombus 是 Skorikov,A.S.(1933)发表的一新属,但 Richards,O.W.(1968)将此属列为熊蜂属 Bombus 中的一亚属。此亚属的主要特征是上颚具六齿,颚眼距几呈方形,长于触角第3节。与高山熊蜂亚属 Alpegenobombus 相似,但后者颚眼距横宽,并短于触角第3节。 这个亚属主要分布于喜马拉雅山系,目前被确定的种:仅有 B.(N.)morawitziides Skorikov,及B.(N.)sikkimi Friese.但 B.sikkimi Friese 种根据 Friese 的原始描述此种与本亚属的主要特征是不相符的。本文记述本亚属二新种及污熊蜂亚属 Mendacibombus 一新种。     

湖北省泽泻科、水鳖科、眼子菜科及茨藻科植物花粉形态研究

本文利用光镜及扫描电镜对湖北省泽泻科、水鳖科、眼子菜科及茨藻科11属29种1变种1变型植物(另加采于湛江的软骨草)的花粉形态进行了研究,发现泽泻科植物花粉具多个圆形萌发孔,外壁表面为小刺状纹饰;茨藻科植物花粉具远极单槽,表面为绉波状纹饰;眼子菜科及本文研究的水鳖科植物花粉均无萌发孔,分别具网状和小刺状饰纹饰。1.茨藻科植物花粉最原始,泽泻科花粉较进化,眼子菜科花粉较水鳖科花粉进化;2.泽泻属与泽苔草属花粉较慈姑属花粉原始;3.鞘叶眼子菜亚屈花粉较眼子菜亚属的花粉处于更高演化阶段;4.多孔茨藻花粉在该科中最原始。本文工作尚对易变形水生植物花粉形态研究方法进行了尝试。     

棚室春番茄熊蜂授粉技术试验研究

熊蜂是蜜蜂总科蜜蜂科的1属,因为体态似熊而得名。熊蜂外形近似蜜蜂,但唇基隆起,颚眼距明显。熊蜂个体大,寿命长,具有旺盛的花粉采集力,能适应恶劣的环境。在任何作物生产时期,都可根据棚室作物授粉时期要求,合理安排繁育熊蜂授粉群。棚室茄果蔬类利用熊蜂授粉是一项无污染、效率高、成本低的高新农业技术措施。     

野牡丹科植物与蜂类某些类群的进化关系初探

本文提出熊蜂、胡蜂等采集野牡丹科植物花粉的现象,进而探讨了野牡丹科植物与熊蜂、胡蜂……等之间的共同进化关系,并指出野牡丹科植物与熊蜂等类群,在系统进化中有平行进化的关系。     

野牡丹科植物与蜂类某些类群的进化关系初探

本文提出熊蜂、胡蜂等采集野牡丹科植物花粉的现象,进而探讨了野牡丹科植物与熊蜂、胡蜂……等之间的共同进化关系,并指出野牡丹科植物与熊蜂等类群,在系统进化中有平行进化的关系。     

濒危植物柄扁桃的传粉者及其访花行为

对濒危植物柄扁桃(Amygdalus pedunculata)访花昆虫的种类、访花行为、访花频率和日活动规律进行了研究.结果表明:柄扁桃的访花昆虫有5目17科19属21种,其中传粉昆虫为3目11科13属15种,主要的传粉昆虫为黑颚条蜂(Anthophora melanognatha)、密林熊蜂(Bombus patagiatus)、大蜂虻(Bombylius major)、黄腿食蚜蝇(Syrphus ribesii)及红足隧蜂(Halictus rubicundus);主要传粉昆虫的日活动规律差异较大,活动高峰期彼此交错;黑颚条蜂具有体积大、携粉量大、小花停留时间短等特点,为柄扁桃传粉的效率最高,今后应加强其生物学、传粉生态学方面的研究.     

中国锦葵科15属26个分类群植物花粉形态及其系统学意义

该研究对中国锦葵科15属22种、2变种、2变型及外类群椴树科华椴的花粉形态特征进行了光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察与比较分析,其中7属9种、2变种、2变型植物的花粉为首次光学显微镜观察报道,8属10种、1变种、2变型植物的花粉为首次扫描电镜观察报道,为该科植物的科下分类阶元(族、亚族、属)的划分及其演化关系的探讨提供花粉形态学依据。结果显示：（1）中国锦葵科15属植物的花粉粒均较大,圆球形,直径约54.4~211.5 μm,表面具刺状纹饰,具散孔或孔沟;其演化趋势为从中等大小、3孔沟、具基部膨大的短尖刺的花粉向体积增大、多散孔、具基部平的长刺（有时具二型刺）的花粉演化。（2）锦葵科花粉的形态特征在科、族、亚族和属的划分上有较大的分类学意义,从花粉形态特征角度支持将锦葵科植物划分为4个族。翅果麻属和木槿族成员曾被放入木棉科中,但本研究表明翅果麻属和木槿族的花粉形态符合锦葵科的特征而与木棉科存在明显差异,因此认为宜将这2类群归于锦葵科,并将翅果麻属放到木槿族中。（3）花粉学证据支持棉族和锦葵族具较紧密的亲缘关系,锦葵族中的苘麻亚族可能是该科最原始的类群,梵天花族可能比木槿族更进化。     

河北省熊蜂属区系调查(膜翅目,蜜蜂科)

作者在2005-2008年对河北省的熊蜂区系进行了调查.根据所采集的标本和中国科学院动物研究所馆藏标本,经鉴定该地区有熊蜂8亚属31种,包括河北省7新纪录种和中国新2纪录种.在河北境内,熊蜂主要分布在西部太行山区、北部坝上高原和燕山山区;采访植物涉及到18科67种,其中,豆科、菊科、蔷薇科和唇形科植物是熊蜂访问的主要对象.区系成分分析表明,河北省31种熊蜂的区系成分有5类,其中,古北区和东洋区共有种为河北省熊蜂的主要成分,为18种,占河北省熊蜂种类总数的58.06%.     

中国桑寄生科的孢粉学研究

系统报道了中国桑寄生科Loranthaceae33种5变种植物的花粉形态,并与澳大利亚 2属6种植物的花粉形态做了比较。通过光学显微镜和扫描电镜观察,国产桑寄生科花粉外壁 纹饰可明显分为两个类型:一种类型为刺状或条状纹饰,另一种为颗粒状纹饰,这与该科的鞘 花族和桑寄生族两个族相吻合。在鞘花族类型中,3合沟、钝刺状或条状纹饰的花粉是基本类 型,合半沟或孔沟形,刺状纹饰的花粉是较进化的类型;在桑寄生族类型中,等极、3合沟、 颗粒状纹饰的花粉是基本类型,异极、副合半沟-合半沟、3沟形和沟形-短沟形或沟孔形、粗 糙或模糊颗粒状纹饰的花粉是较进化类型。根据萌发孔和纹饰可将桑寄生族类型花粉分为3个 类群:类群I包括五蕊寄生属Dendrophtho、梨果寄生属Scurrula、钝果寄生属Taxillus和大苞 寄生属Tolypanthus;类群II仅包括离瓣寄生属Helixanthera;类群III也仅1属,桑寄生属Lor anthus。在这3个类群中,类群I属于基本的类型,属间花粉差别较小,其中梨果寄生属和钝 果寄生属花粉差别最小,显示出较近的亲缘关系;类群II和类群III皆是较进化类型。     

华北地区六种熊蜂的地理分布及生态习性

2005～2007年连续3年对华北地区小峰熊蜂Bombus hypocrita、密林熊蜂B.patagiatus、红光熊蜂B.ignitus、明亮熊蜂B.lucorum、火红熊蜂B.pyrosoma和重黄熊蜂B.picipes等6种熊蜂的地理分布和生态习性进行研究。结果表明,这6种熊蜂在华北地区的地理分布差异很大,火红熊蜂分布最广,重黄熊蜂分布最窄。6种熊蜂在垂直分布上也存在差异,红光熊蜂分布于较低海拔高度地区,明亮熊蜂分布于较高海拔高度地区,但在海拔1300～1800m范围内6种熊蜂都有分布。6种熊蜂中,火红熊蜂的年活动周期较长,为180天左右。小峰熊蜂、明亮熊蜂、密林熊蜂和重黄熊蜂的年活动周期居中。红光熊蜂的年活动周期最短,为140天左右。6种熊蜂采访植物涉及到17科63种,采访植物存在一定的偏好性,主要采访豆科、菊科、蔷薇科和唇形科等植物;而且,不同种熊蜂采集植物的种类也存在较大差异。     

Optimal foraging in bumblebees and coevolution with their plants

Summary The aims of this paper were to consider the coevolution between bumblebee movement patterns within plants and various properties of the plants such as the spatial distribution of their flowers, and to determine the extent to which the bumblebees and the plants can be considered to be maximally adaptive or optimal. Attention was restricted to plants which have flowers arranged on vertical inflorescences and to the bumblebees which visit these plants.It was found that the bumblebees tend to commence foraging at the bottom of each infloresence, that they tend to move from one flower to the closest vertically higher flower, that they miss flowers as they move upwards and that they tend to leave each inflorescence before reaching the top. It was also found for the four common plant species considered that nectar abundance per flower decreases with flower height on an inflorescence, that the flowers with receptive stigmas are restricted to the bottoms of the inflorescences while the flowers shedding pollen occur above them, and that the flowers are arranged approximately in spirals on the inflorescences.The pattern of movements of the bumblebees and the various properties of the plants appear to represent coevolved adaptations. Furthermore the bumblebees' movement patterns appear to be optimal in the sense that they result in the maximum net rate of energy gain to the bumblebees. Further studies are necessary, however, to determine whether or not the plants can be considered to be optimal.An exception to the above scheme is provided by a plant which is quite uncommon in the study area. This plant also has flowers on vertical inflorescences and appears to be pollinated by bumblebees. However, while the pattern of movements of the bumblebees on this plant species are extremely similar to those on the four common species, this plant species exhibits quite different properties from the other four. Two possible explanations for this exception are presented.     

Getting to the start line: how bumblebees and honeybees are visually guided towards their first floral contact

Much of the literature on foraging behaviour in bees focuses on what they learn after they have had rewarded experience with flowers. This review focuses on how honeybees and bumblebees are drawn to candidate food sources in the first place: the foundation on which learning is built. Prior to rewarded foraging experience, flower-naïve bumblebees and honeybees rely heavily on visual cues to discover their first flower. This review lists methodological issues that surround the study of flower-naïve behaviour and describes technological advances. The role of distinct visual properties of flowers in attracting bees is considered: colour, floral size, patterning and social cues. The research reviewed is multi-disciplinary and takes the perspectives of both the bees and the plants they visit. Several avenues for future research are proposed.     

草乌花蜜产量的梯度分布及熊蜂自下而上的访花行为

收益降低假说(declining reward hypothesis)认为熊蜂自下而上的访花顺序是对花蜜产量的直接响应,先访问下部花蜜产量高的花可以获得更多的收益;花开口方向假说认为自下而上访花是因为熊蜂更容易看见其上部的花朵。为了验证上述两个假说,我们于2008年8月在北京小龙门国家森林公园调查了红光熊蜂(Bombus ignitus)访问草乌(Aconitum kusnezoffii)直立和倒立顶生花序的访问顺序,测量了直立花序下部雌性阶段花和上部雄性阶段花花蜜的糖浓度、体积,计算了花蜜中的糖含量。结果表明,红光熊蜂在直立花序和倒立花序内均以向上运动为主,分别占总运动次数的62.77%和68.35%;直立花序下部雌性阶段花花蜜糖浓度比上部雄性阶段花低1.44%,但是花蜜体积和花蜜中的糖含量都显著高于雄性阶段的花。由于熊蜂访问倒立花序时先访问的是下部的低回报雄性阶段的花,然后再访问上部高回报的雌性阶段的花,这与收益降低假说矛盾,表明红光熊蜂自下而上访问草乌直立花序可能不是受到花蜜产量的调节。     

Flower choice copying in bumblebees

We tested a hypothesis originating with Darwin that bees outside the nest exhibit social learning in flower choices. Naive bumblebees, Bombus impatiens, were allowed to observe trained bees or artificial bees forage from orange or green flowers. Subsequently, observers of bees on green flowers landed more often on green flowers than non-observing controls or observers of models on orange flowers. These results demonstrate that bumblebees can change flower choice by observations of non-nest mates, a novel form of social learning in insects that could provide unique benefits to the colony.     

Recognition and avoidance of contaminated flowers by foraging bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)

Bumblebee colonies are founded by a single-mated queen. Due to this life history trait, bumblebees are more susceptible to parasites and diseases than polyandrous and/or polygynous social insects. A greater resistance towards parasites is shown when the genetic variability within a colony is increased. The parasite resistance may be divided into different levels regarding the step of the parasite infection (e.g. parasite uptake, parasite intake, parasite's establishment in the nest, parasite transmission). We investigate the prophylactic behaviour of bumblebees. Bumblebees were observed during their foraging flights on two artificial flowers; one of these was contaminated by Crithidia bombi, a naturally occurring gut parasite of bumblebees (in a control experiment the non-specific pathogen Escherichia coli was used). For C. bombi, bumblebees were preferentially observed feeding on the non-contaminated flower. Whereas for E. coli, the number of visits between flowers was the same, bumblebees spent more time feeding on the non-contaminated flower. These results demonstrate the ability of bumblebees to recognise the contamination of food sources. In addition, bumblebees have a stronger preference for the non-contaminated flower when C. bombi is present in the other flower than with E. coli which might be explained as an adaptive behaviour of bumblebees towards this specific gut parasite. It seems that the more specific the parasite is, the more it reduces the reward of the flower.     

The effects of landscape on bumblebees to ensure crop pollination in the highland agricultural ecosystems in China

Honey bees and wild bees provide critical pollination services to agricultural ecosystems; however, the relative contributions of different bee taxa are not well understood. The natural habitats surrounding farmland support food and nesting resources for wild bees and therefore play an important role in the maintenance of crop pollination. In this study, we selected Cucurbita pepo L. (squash) as a model crop to investigate the relative importance of honey bees and bumblebees in pollinating the crop. Thirteen fields, which were surrounded by a gradient of natural habitat, were investigated on the Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau in China. We measured the visit densities of honey bees and bumblebees, the number of pollen grains deposited in a single visit by the two bee taxa, as well as the overall pollen grains deposited on stigmas during a flowering day, and then used Bayesian inference to decouple the pollen grains deposited by either the honey bees or the bumblebees. Compared with honey bees, bumblebees deposited a higher number of pollen grains on stigmas in a single visit, but had a lower visit density than honey bees. Meanwhile, the bumblebee visit density increased along the proportion of natural habitat, while the honey bee visit density was not affected by the surrounding natural habitat. Data simulations using Bayesian inference showed that on a flowering day, the number of pollen grains deposited by bumblebees increased with the proportion of natural habitat in the surrounding landscape, but the number of pollen grains deposited by honey bees did not. Moreover, the total numbers of pollen grains deposited by honey bees or bumblebees alone were all below 2000 (the critical level to satisfy the pollination requirement of this crop). Pollen calculations demonstrated that the number of pollen grains deposited by the two bee taxa was greater than 2000 in fields surrounded by more than 13% natural habitat (grasslands and forests). The results revealed that bumblebees ensured C. pepo pollination in combination with honey bees in the highland agricultural ecosystems.     

Foraging activity of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris L.) on Bt-expressing eggplants

A greenhouse experiment was setup to study foraging behavior of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris L. on Cry3Bb-expressing genetically modified (GM) eggplants and their near-isogenic control. Commonly, more bumblebees visited GM eggplants compared to near-isogenic control, but this difference was only marginally significant. The mean length of feeding bouts was similar on the two treatments. Neither the number of flowers produced nor their size could explain bumblebees?? tendency to prefer GM eggplants. Volatile compounds were extracted from five plants per genotype and separated using gas chromatography. Thirteen compounds were identified and five of them appeared significantly more abundant in GM eggplants. Six of the identified compounds [(+)-limonene, Z-jasmone, p-cymene, ??-pinene, methyl-salicilate, and (?)-limonene] were tested in electrophysiological bioassays with antennas detached from young bumblebees, and a response was recorded in all six cases. Experimental results indicate that pollination activity of bumblebees is compatible with this GM eggplant event as a food source and that chemical cues may have an important role in plant identification. The implications for environmental risk assessment of GM plants are discussed.     

Spatial distribution of bumblebees foraging on two cultivars of tomato in a commercial greenhouse

The spatial distribution of foraging bumblebees, Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), was studied in a greenhouse planted with two cultivars of tomato, Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae), in two patches. In both patches, bumblebee densities per square meter were measured on plots, and the results showed that their densities were nearly similar. The densities of available flowers, their pollen production, and availability also were measured. Our results showed that, although the cultivars greatly differed in flower density, flower morphology, and pollen production, their pollen availability (i.e., pollen actually collected by bumblebees per square meter) was approximately the same. Therefore, the mean quantities of pollen collected per bumblebee were similar in each patch. Knowing that bumblebees do not visit different varieties randomly, our results suggest that the major factor affecting the bumblebee distribution among patches was the density of available resource. Results are discussed both from an applied point of view and in relation to the assumptions of the ideal free distribution theory.     

The effect of proboscis and corolla tube lengths on patterns and rates of flower visitation by bumblebees

Summary The rates at which bumblebees of different proboscis lengths forage on flowers of a series of corolla tube lengths were determined. The results indicate significant correlations between proboscis length and time spent by bees on flowers. Bumblebees of long proboscis length can forage significantly faster than bees of shorter proboscis length on flowers with long corolla tubes. There is also evidence which suggests that bumblebees of short proboscis length prefer and are more efficient on short corolla tubes. These results support the use of proboscis length as a morphological indicator of resource utilization in bumblebees.     

Trade-off between travel distance and prioritization of high-reward sites in traplining bumblebees

1.Animals exploiting renewable resource patches are faced with complex multi-location routing problems. In many species, individuals visit foraging patches in predictable sequences called traplines. However, whether and how they optimize their routes remains poorly understood.2.In this study, we demonstrate that traplining bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) make a trade-off between minimizing travel distance and prioritizing the most rewarding feeding locations.3.Individual bees trained to forage on five artificial flowers of equal reward value selected the shortest possible route as a trapline. After introducing a single highly rewarding flower to the array, they re-adjusted their routes visiting the most rewarding flower first provided the departure distance from the shortest possible route remained small (18%). When routes optimizing the initial rate of reward intake were much longer (42%), bees prioritized short travel distances.4.Under natural conditions, in which individual flowers vary in nectar productivity and replenish continuously, it might pay bees to prioritize highly rewarding locations, both to minimize the overall number of flowers to visit and to beat competitors.5.We discuss how combined memories of location and quality of resource patches could allow bees and other traplining animals to optimize their routing decisions in heterogeneous environments.