Does the diapause experience of bumblebee queens Bombus terrestris affect colony characteristics?

1. Bumblebee colonies show much variation in the number of workers, drones, and queens produced. Because this variation prevails even when colonies are kept under identical conditions, it does not seem to be caused by extrinsic factors but rather by differences between founding queens. 2. The most likely factor that could cause differences between queens is diapause. Although colonies are raised under standardised conditions, the queens often experience diapause of different length. If there are costs associated with diapause that influence post‐diapause reproduction, the diapause history of the queens could affect colony characteristics. 3. Here, several colony characteristics are compared: number of first and second brood workers; total number of workers, drones, and queens; energy spent on sexuals; sex ratio; rate of worker production; time to emergence of first reproductive; and colony lifetime. Colonies were used where the queens experienced a diapause treatment of 0 (nondiapause queens), 2, and 4 months. 4. Although no proof was found for the existence of costs associated with diapause, the colony characteristics of nondiapause queens were significantly different from those of diapause queens. Colonies of nondiapause queens produced the lowest number of workers but the highest number of young queens. 5. It is argued that these nondiapause colonies are more time‐constrained than diapause colonies because nondiapause colonies produce two generations within the same season and should therefore be more efficient in producing sexual offspring. 6. Moreover, nondiapause colonies should rear a more female‐biased sex ratio because they can be certain of the presence of males produced by other (diapause) colonies.     

Reproductive responses to photoperiod and temperature by artificially hibernated bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queens

Post‐hibernated bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queens were kept for 1 week under photoperiodic conditions of 8 h light : 16 h dark, and at four different temperatures (24, 28, 32 and 36°C). The reproductive performance of the queens was then observed. It was found that exposure temperature and hibernation duration did not affect the oviposition rate. The pre‐oviposition period was found to be shortest (3.8 ± 0.7 days) for queens that had hibernated for 4.0 months and had been activated at 28°C. Timing of the initiation of the switch‐point was not affected by exposure temperature and hibernation duration. Significantly higher numbers of workers (268.0 ± 31.4) and sexual queens (119.3 ± 16.8) were produced by the queens that had hibernated for 3.0 months and had been activated at 28 and 36°C, respectively. The queens that had hibernated for 4.0 months and had been activated at 36°C produced the highest number of males (296.2 ± 32.3).     

Selection for non-diapause in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, with notes on the effect of inbreeding

Bumblebees are generally believed to be annual insects. However, here we will show that under laboratory conditions the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.) can produce a second generation without a period of cold storage (diapause) or CO₂ narcosis (a method to break diapause). It is also shown that this so-called non-diapause trait can be selected for. The percentage of non-diapausing queens increased from 8% (minimum) to 97% (maximum) in two generations of selection. However, it was not possible to maintain isofemale non-diapause lines. Colonies of the fourth and fifth generation remained small (expressed in worker number) and produced a small number of queens. Also the percentage of queens that started laying eggs (defined as the percentage non-diapause) decreased in the fourth and fifth generations. To study whether this decline of the non-diapause lines was caused by inbreeding, a control experiment was conducted. In this control experiment queens were mated with their brothers (full-sib mating) for several generations and the number of queens that start egg laying was measured. This revealed that inbreeding can have a negative effect on the egg-laying capacities of queens thus causing the decline of inbred (non-diapause) lines.     

Effect of juvenile hormone on caste determination and colony processes in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris

To investigate the role of juvenile hormone (JH) in caste determination, first and second instar larvae of Bombus terrestris were topically treated with one of three doses (2, 10, or 20 g/larva) of JH dissolved in acetone. Treated larvae belonged to very young colonies that had just been started by their queen. Therefore, all larvae were supposedly destined to develop into workers. Our study demonstrates that a single application of JH in the first or second instar can lead to the development of queens and that this effect is dose- and instar-dependent. The brood (second, or third brood of the colony) to which the larvae belonged also had an effect. A clear size dimorphism of the female castes exists in B. terrestris. In this study, however, intermediates also developed from treated larvae. In fact, even untreated larvae in a treated colony developed into queens and intermediates, depending on the total dose of JH applied to the colony. There are no indications that a larva, once determined to become a queen, can be forced to become a worker by means of malnutrition. Treatment with JH also had an influence on colony processes. For instance, the appearance of queen larvae resulted in the advanced start of reproduction by workers and egg robbery, the so called competition point. This indicates again the close relationship between queen rearing and the queen-worker conflict. However, the ultimate function of this casual connection is still unclear. Further, the queen reacted to the treatment by switching to the laying of haploid eggs at an earlier date in the colony development compared to untreated colonies.     

Effect of different narcosis procedures on initiating oviposition of prediapausingBombus terrestris queens

Four experiments aimed at the stimulation of starting oviposition were carried out with bumblebee queens (Bombus terrestris L.) from colonies belonging to the ecotype of Central Western France and reared in a glasshouse. After mating, queens were narcotized with carbon dioxide, confined singly in small boxes (11×5×4.5 cm) and kept in a dark room at 28–29 °C and 60%–65% r.h. They were fed on a sugar solution and a pollen-syrup mixture. No effects were discernible if the narcosis was applied 20 to 30 days after mating instead of 5 days, nor if the queens were submitted to a 4 to 5 day period at 34°C following narcosis. Survival rates ranged from 65% to 68 %. If the queens were reared under fluorescent tubes (L8∶D16) after narcosis the mean delays to egg-laying were significantly reduced compared to a dark treatment (21 days instead of 39), as was their variability (s.e.=1.6 day instead of 3.1 days). The survival rates were respectively 73% and 67%. Under the same photoperiod (L8∶D16) the CO₂ narcosis repeated at a 24h interval had the same efficacy whether its duration was 10 min or 5 min. The delays to egg-laying were respectively 20 days (s.e=1.5) and 25 days (s.e.=4.8) with survival rates close to 73%. Egg-laying could also be induced in non-narcotized queens with a survival rate of 54% and delays to oviposition close to those of queens narcotized 2×10 min.     

微生态制剂EM原露对熊蜂蜂王产卵前期卵巢发育及卵子发生的影响

用60%蔗糖,60%蔗糖加EM原露,60%蔗糖加花粉,60%蔗糖加花粉加EM原露4种食料饲喂复苏熊蜂Bombus terrestris L.蜂王,研究EM原露对复苏蜂王产卵前期卵巢发育及卵子发生的影响。结果表明,EM原露对熊蜂蜂王产卵前期卵巢发育及卵子发生表现出一定抑制性,但影响不显著。虽然于第2天,EM原露对其开始发生显著抑制性影响(P=0.047),且EM原露与花粉的交互作用对其发育促进影响亦显著(P=0.014),但从第5天始,EM原露对其影响下降为不显著,而花粉开始表现出显著性促进熊蜂蜂王卵巢发育(P=0.000)。EM原露对熊蜂蜂王卵子发生并无促进或抑制作用,然而花粉的缺失促使熊蜂蜂王卵子发生停滞。     

白蛾周氏啮小蜂滞育诱导及滞育后发育

本研究针对人工繁育白蛾周氏啮小蜂Chouioia cunea Yang过程中出现的小蜂滞育现象, 对其滞育诱导的光周期反应及敏感光照虫态进行了调查。结果表明: 沈阳地区的白蛾周氏啮小蜂属长日照型昆虫, 以老熟幼虫进入滞育状态, 但在不同的温度条件下诱导滞育的临界光周期不同, 在18℃时诱导滞育的临界光周期处于13L∶11D和14L∶10D之间; 在21℃和24℃时诱导滞育的临界光周期变短, 处于12L∶12D和13L∶11D之间。白蛾周氏啮小蜂滞育诱导的敏感光照虫态为幼虫期, 且以幼虫的后期最为敏感, 但整个幼虫期接受短光照对滞育的形成更为有利。通过观察白蛾周氏啮小蜂滞育后在18℃, 21℃, 24℃和30℃的恒温条件下的发育历期, 由最小二乘法计算出白蛾周氏啮小蜂老熟幼虫滞育后发育起点温度和有效积温分别为14.60±0.31℃和209.38±8.72日·度。这些结果可为进一步研究白蛾周氏啮小蜂的种蜂长期保存技术和指导商品蜂生产, 正确把握放蜂时机提供理论依据。     

Factors influencing dominance behaviour in queenless bumblebee workers (Bombus terrestris)

ABSTRACT. The establishment of a dominance order within seventy eight groups of four callow workers was investigated. The dominant worker establishes its position by means of overt aggression. Aggression starts 20—40 h after confinement. Dominance order becomes established within 2 days of removal from the colony. Once established, the dominance order is maintained by dominant-subordinate interactions.
The dominant worker starts ovipositing at an age of about 6 days. Subordinates rarely lay eggs. In 25% of the groups the dominant worker is superseded by another worker before any oviposition occurs. Once the dominance order is established, the dominant worker inhibits endocrine activity in subordinates.
Differences in body size and in endocrine activity are thought to be responsible for the ranking of workers in the dominance hierarchy. Ranking seems to depend more on the activity of the corpora allata (CA) than on the activity of the ovaries. Ovariectomized workers do not differ from control workers in the performance of dominance behaviour. Dominant ovariectomized workers do not construct egg cells, but they do defend these if they are present.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a venom phospholipase A2 from the bumblebee Bombus ignitus

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) is one of the main components of bee venom. Here, we identify a venom PLA₂ from the bumblebee, Bombus ignitus. Bumblebee venom PLA₂ (Bi-PLA₂) cDNA, which was identified by searching B. ignitus venom gland expressed sequence tags, encodes a 180 amino acid protein. Comparison of the genomic sequence with the cDNA sequence revealed the presence of four exons and three introns in the Bi-PLA₂ gene. Bi-PLA₂ is an 18-kDa glycoprotein. It is expressed in the venom gland, cleaved between the residues Arg44 and Ile45, and then stored in the venom sac. Comparative analysis revealed that the mature Bi-PLA₂ (136 amino acids) possesses features consistent with other bee PLA₂s, including ten conserved cysteine residues, as well as a highly conserved Ca²⁺-binding site and active site. Phylogenetic analysis of bee PLA₂s separated the bumblebee and honeybee PLA₂ proteins into two groups. The mature Bi-PLA₂ purified from the venom of B. ignitus worker bees hydrolyzed DBPC, a known substrate of PLA₂. Immunofluorescence staining of Bi-PLA₂-treated insect Sf9 cells revealed that Bi-PLA₂ binds at the cell membrane and induces apoptotic cell death.     

Diapause termination and post-diapause development in the Mediterranean locust Dociostaurus maroccanus (Orth., Acrididae) under field conditions

Abstract: Diapause termination and post-diapause development of the Mediterranean or Moroccan locust, Dociostaurus maroccanus , were studied in the permanent breeding area of la Serena (Badajoz) in southern Spain during 1991–92 and 1997–98. By the second half of autumn, diapause development has been completed and the eggs have acquired the ability to resume morphogenesis, catatrepsis and hatching. The last week of November was determined to be the critical time to begin recording degree-days as a basis for the development of hatch prediction models. Using a previously developed temperature model for embryonic development of D. maroccanus , accurate predictions of hatching were performed for the two study seasons. The results of this investigation will facilitate in developing an efficient system for the management of the Moroccan locust.     

乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的毒性及风险评估

【目的】明确乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂Bombus terrestris的毒性, 探讨这两种农药亚致死浓度对地熊蜂体内乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GST)和羧酸酯酶(CarE) 3种解毒酶活性的影响。【方法】采用饲喂法测定60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性,依据农药对蜜蜂生态风险的危害熵(hazard quotient, HQ)值评估这两种农药对地熊蜂的风险。同时测定了这两种农药亚致死剂量(LD₅₀和LD₈₀)处理后地熊蜂AchE, GST和CarE的活性变化。【结果】60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素和43%联苯肼酯对地熊蜂采集蜂的急性经口毒性测定48 h时LD₅₀值分别为3.590和1 447 μg a.i./蜂,其中60 g a.i./L乙基多杀菌素表现为中毒,43%联苯肼酯表现为低毒。两种农药对地熊蜂采集蜂的HQ值均低于50,表现为低风险。LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量的乙基多杀菌素处理组与对照组相比,3 h时地熊蜂AchE活性被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的1.45和1.23倍,24 h后活性受到抑制,两个剂量处理组AchE活性均显著低于对照组(P＜0.05);CarE活性3 h时同样被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性分别为对照组的1.24和1.53倍, 24 h后活性受到抑制,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05);LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别为对照组的2.24和2.58倍,24 h后活性降低,但两个剂量处理组GST活性仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05)。43%联苯肼酯处理后,与对照组相比3 h时LD₅₀和LD₈₀剂量处理组AchE活性与对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后AchE活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),分别是对照组的75%和80%;CarE活性3 h时被抑制,LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著低于对照组(P＜0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性低于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),24 h后CarE活性被激活,其中LD₅₀剂量处理组CarE活性高于对照组,但差异不显著(P＞0.05),LD₈₀剂量处理组CarE活性显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);LD₅₀剂量处理组GST活性3 h时被激活,显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),24 h后活性降低,但仍显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),3 h和24 h的活性分别为对照组的2.04和1.72倍,LD₈₀剂量处理组3 h的GST活性与对照组无显著差异(P＞0.05),24 h后活性降低,显著低于对照组(P＜0.05)。【结论】乙基多杀菌素和联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的HQ 评估均表现为低风险,其中联苯肼酯对地熊蜂的安全性较高,在熊蜂授粉过程中可以按照推荐剂量应用,但过量施用或者长期施用可能会造成熊蜂体内药剂积累引起生理或者行为的变化,乙基多杀菌素在温室及大田授粉期的使用剂量和方法有待进一步研究。     

中红侧沟茧蜂滞育诱导和滞育茧的冷藏

中红侧沟茧蜂Microplitis mediator (Haliday)是夜蛾科害虫低龄幼虫的重要寄生蜂。田间实验表明,在冀中地区秋季田间条件下,当日平均气温为21.5℃、日平均光照时间为12 h 33 min时,少数个体进入滞育;当气温降至17.9℃以下、日光照时间缩短到11 h 45 min以下时,全部个体进入滞育。室内模拟实验结果表明,在17～26℃、光照时间10～14 h范围内,随着温度的降低和光照时间的缩短,滞育率明显提高。高温能抵消短光照对滞育诱导的影响,在26℃下,短光照不能诱导滞育。因此,低温和短光照是诱导该种天敌昆虫滞育的主要因子。中红侧沟茧蜂感受滞育信号的敏感期为低龄幼虫期,以预蛹（茧）进入滞育。低龄幼虫感受滞育信号以后,需要在滞育环境中发育到老熟幼虫才能全部进入滞育。将室内诱导的滞育茧在4℃左右环境条件下冷藏240天,成蜂的羽化率和寄生能力与没有冷藏的非滞育茧差异不显著;冷藏300天,滞育茧仍有81.4%可以正常羽化。本项研究结果为中红侧沟茧蜂的规模化、标准化生产提供了科学的依据。     

Diapause and seasonal life cycle strategy in the house spider, Achaearanea tepidariorum (Araneae, Theridiidae)

Abstract In order to elucidate the mechanism regulating its seasonal life cycle, the photoperiodic response of Achaearanea tepidariorum has been analysed. Nymphal development was faster in long-day and slower in short-day photoperiods. The combined action of low temperature, poor food supply and short daylength induced diapause at an earlier developmental stage than short days alone. Thus, photoperiod is a primary factor inducing nymphal diapause, but the diapausing instar is influenced by both temperature and food supply. Hibernating nymphs became unresponsive to photoperiod in late December. After hibernation, however, sensitivity was restored and the nymphs remained sensitive to photoperiod throughout their life. This spider could also enter an imaginal or reproductive diapause. Photoperiod was again a primary inducing factor and temperature modified the photoperiodic response to some extent. The induction of the reproductive diapause was almost temperature-compensated whereas development was not. So the involvement of a photoperiodic counter system was suggested. Irrespective of whether the nymph had experienced diapause or not, the imaginal diapause was induced in response to a short-day photoperiod after adult moult. Based on these observations, the seasonal life cycle and the adaptive significance of nymphal and imaginal diapause are discussed.     

Influences of Temperature and Desiccation on Breaking Diapause in the Gemmules of Eunapius fraqilis (Leidy)

Summary

Most specimens of Eunapius fraqilis in Gallup Pond (Connecticut) apparently formed gemmules in September and then died. The gemmules were initially in a protracted diapause which was gradually broken during the winter. They germinated in the pond between late March and late April. Gemmules collected during the fall did not germinate during four months when they were kept at 20°C. Other gemmules from the same collections, which were kept at 5°C for several months before they were placed at 20°C, exhibited good germination. Finally, gemmules that did not germinate following a cold treatment could be activated by drying them at 20°C for seven days and then maintaining them in pond water at 20°C. These results suggest that low temperature and desiccation are effective in breaking gemmule diapause of Eunapius fraqilis.     

Synergy Between Low Temperature and Dessication in Breaking Gemmule Diapause of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy)

Summary

Gemmules of Eunapius fragilis collected during the fall and kept at 20° C for up to 6 months did not germinate. Freshly collected gemmules, which were dried at 20° C for 7 days and then rehydrated, also exhibited a very low capacity for germination. However, gemmules, stored at 20° C for several months and then dried, showed a much higher level of germination (but usually no more than 50%) after they were returned to pond water. Gemmules, stored at 4–5° C for 4 to 6 weeks, exhibited at most very little germination when they were tested at 20° C. On the other hand, gemmules, which were chilled at 4–5° C for 4 to 6 weeks and then dried for 7 days, underwent rapid and nearly complete germination upon rehydration. These results provide clear evidence for a synergistic effect between low temperature and desiccation in breaking gemmule diapause. It is suggested that in temporary habitats where E. fragilis often survives the dry summer as gemmules, drying may be the primary agent releasing the gemmules from diapause so that they germinate in the fall upon the return of water. A brief exposure of the gemmules to low temperatures before and/or during the dry period may enhance the effect of desiccation.     

Diapause and survival in winter in two species of predatory bugs,Orius sauteri and O. minutus

The cause of differences in overwintering success between the sexes in Orius sauteri (Poppius) and O. minutus (Linnaeus) (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) was investigated in the laboratory. The survival rate of adults was examined in a screen house outdoors during the winters of 1995–1996 and 1996–1997. None of the males of either species survived until spring in either year. However, 63.9% and 40.5% of the females in O. sauteri and O. minutus, respectively, survived the winter in 1995–1996, and 54.5% and 43.2%, respectively, in 1996–1997. Most of the males died by early winter. In both species, the adult females reared under short days (= L11:D13) survived for a long period at 5 or 0°C, while the males reared under the same photoperiod died shortly after transfer to 5 or 0°C from 22°C. The males and females kept at same temperature conditions under long days (= L16:D8) died early. When nymphs were kept under long days at 22°C, the lipid content in the female and male adults of O. sauteri was 27.9% and 17.7%, respectively. When nymphs were kept under short days, their lipid content was significantly higher (41.1%) than that of those reared under long days for females, but lipid content was comparable in the males regardless of photoperiod (15.6%). In O. minutus, the mean lipid content was 27.2% in females and 19.0% in males under long days at 22°C, and 40.8% in females and 19.8% in males under short days. Thus, a large amount of lipid was accumulated only in females kept under short days in both species. These results suggest that short days induced diapause only in adult females but not in males. Due to the lack of diapause and shortage of lipid accumulation, males may not be able to survive the winter.     

温度对胡萝卜微管蚜生长发育繁殖的影响

【目标】明确温度对胡萝卜微管蚜Semiaphis heraclei(Takahashi)生长发育和繁殖的影响。【方法】在室内5个温度梯度下(19、22、25、28、31℃)观察并比较胡萝卜微管蚜的发育历期、存活率、存活寿命及产仔量。【结果】在19?31℃范围内,胡萝卜微管蚜各龄期及完整世代的发育历期均随着温度的升高而缩短,完成一个世代分别需要22.17、17.13、12.57、10.03和7.83 d。温度与发育速率呈极显著相关(P<0.01,r>0.8),温度越高发育速率越快。胡萝卜微管蚜4个若蚜期和世代的发育起点分别为14.15、13.87、13.64、15.06、12.92℃,有效积温分别为29.98、29.30、28.54、24.00和144.21日?度。建立了胡萝卜微管蚜各个发育阶段的历期预测式。在5个恒温下胡萝卜微管蚜1?4龄及世代的存活率随温度的变化而小幅波动。在19?31℃范围内,该蚜虫世代的存活率分别为40.0%、52.5%、62.5%、60.0%和47.5%。25℃该蚜虫的存活率相对较高,1?4龄及世代的存活率分别为82.5%、81.8%、92.6%、100%和62.5%。在相同温度条件下该蚜虫不同发育阶段的存活率存在差异。存活寿命随着温度的升高而缩短,19℃时寿命最长,为33.30 d,31℃时寿命最短,为15.40 d。产仔期随着温度的升高而缩短,19℃时产仔期为11.13 d,31℃时为7.57 d。在19?31℃范围内,该蚜虫的单雌产仔总量分别为26.33、27.93、32.53、27.13和17.93头。【结论】温度是影响胡萝卜微管蚜的生长发育、存活和繁殖的重要因素。25℃时胡萝卜微管蚜各龄期及世代的发育历期较短,存活率较高,单雌产仔总量最大。25℃较适合该蚜虫生长发育和繁殖。     

Diapause induction in Ephestia cautella: An interaction between genotype and crowding

Larval diapause induction in Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a function of the interaction between genotype and larval crowding. A diapause stock in which 79% of the larvae diapaused under crowded conditions and 40% diapaused under uncrowded conditions was maintained by selection. Outbreeding of adults from this diapause stock to those from a non-diapause stock resulted in 36% diapause under crowded conditions and 6% diapause under uncrowded conditions. The rate of termination of larval diapause is inheritable and temperature dependent. These data seem to explain the seasonal trends in percentage larval diapause among E. cautella infesting citrus pulp during storage.Larval diapause was induced in groups of larvae by crowding in mass cultures and in single larvae by rearing on a small amount of fresh diet or on a larger amount of fresh diet containing residual diet from crowded cultures. The diapause-inducing effects of this residual diet could be removed by extraction with lipid solvents. Some activity was demonstrated when the extract was dried onto fresh diet.

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Resume L'induction de la diapause larvaire d'Ephestia cautella (Walker) dépend du génotype et de la densité larvaire.Des croisements à l'intérieur de la souche diapausante donnent 79% de diapause aux fortes densités larvaires et 40% aux faibles densités. Les croisements des adultes de cette souche avec ceux de la souche non-diapausante donnent 36% de diapause aux fortes densités et 6% aux faibles densités. La fréquence de fin de diapause est héréditaire et dépend de la température. Ces résultats peuvent expliquer les variations saisonnières du taux de diapause E. cautella dans la pulpe de citron stockée.La diapause larvaire a été induite chez des groupes de chenilles par surpeuplement dans des élevages standards, et chez des chenilles isolées par élevage sur une quantité limitée d'aliments frais ou sur une quantité abondante d'aliments frais contenant des résidus alimentaires provenent d'élevages surpeuplés. Les effets inducteurs de ces résidus alimentaires disparaissent après extraction avec les solvants de lipides. Une certaine action est observée par de l'extraint sec sur de l'aliment frais.