Photoperiodic influence on the body mass of bumblebee, Bombus terrestris and its copulation duration |
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| Authors: | M R Amin Y J Kwon S J Suh |
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| Institution: | Department of Agricultural Biology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea;;Department of Environmental Horticulture, Sangju National University, Sangju, Korea |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: The body mass of Bombus terrestris individuals is an important trait for their behavioural performance and colony organization. In this study, colonies were reared under four different photoperiodic regimes, viz. 0 : 24, 8 : 16, 16 : 8 and 24 : 0 h light : darkness (L : D) at 28°C and 50% relative humidity. The changes in body mass were observed at the stages of larvae, pupae and on the day of adult eclosion. Both the wet and dry mass of sexuals gradually decreased with increasing day length. The relationship between body mass and copulation duration revealed that copulation duration was negatively correlated with male body mass, but positively with queen body mass. Higher number of matings by males resulted in significantly higher duration of copulation. |
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| Keywords: | Bombus terrestris body mass copulation duration photoperiod |
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