Comparison of Development Patterns of Imported and Native Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies in the Mediterranean Coastal Region

Authors: AYHAN GÖSTERİT, FEHMİ GÜREL

Abstract: This study was carried out to compare the colony development patterns of native and commercially imported Bombus terrestris colonies, which were used in greenhouses for pollination in the Mediterranean coastal region. Total of 57 queens, 23 of which were collected from the field and 34 obtained from the commercial company, were used. 91% of the queens collected from the field and 82% of the queens obtained from the commercial company laid eggs. The colony foundation ratio of the queens was determined as approximately 57%. The colonies founded by the queens taken from the commercial company produced 60.8 ± 12.70 queens, while the colonies founded by the queens collected from the field did not produced queens. The numbers of workers and males produced, switch and competition points in the social phase of the colonies founded by the queens collected from the field were determined to be an average of 167.2 ± 34.90 bees, 98.6 ± 21.50 bees, 18.9 ± 2.37 days and 37.3 ± 2.68 days, while those in the colonies founded by the queens taken from the commercial company were 225.3 ± 30.90 bees, 156.0 ± 42.60 bees, 25.0 ± 3.69 days and 50.8 ± 4.44 days, respectively.

Keywords: Bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, colony development patterns

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