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Bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) activity and loss in commercial tomato greenhouses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

L.A. Morandin ,
T.M. Laverty ,
P.G. Kevan ,
S. Khosla  and
L. Shipp
L.A. Morandin*
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
T.M. Laverty
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
P.G. Kevan
Affiliation:
Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
S. Khosla
Affiliation:
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre, Harrow, Ontario, Canada N0R 1G0
L. Shipp
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Greenhouse and Processing Crops Research Centre, Harrow, Ontario, Canada N0R 1G0
*
1 Author to whom all correspondence should be addressed (E-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Activity of bumble bees, Bombus impatiens Cresson, was examined in commercial tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae), greenhouses in relation to greenhouse covering type, solar radiation, greenhouse temperature and humidity. Bumble bee activity was measured by photodiode monitors inserted into the entrance of the colonies. Colony sizes were monitored as an indicator of bee loss through gutter ventilation systems in relation to covering. Activity monitors were found to be a good predictor of actual bumble bee entrances and exits (r2 = 0.85). Bumble bee activity was 94.0% greater under the ultravioltet (UV)-transmitting covering than under ones that transmitted less UV light. No relationship was found between bee activity and the amount of solar radiation or internal greenhouse humidity. Bee activity was weakly positively correlated with internal greenhouse temperature (r2 = 0.18). Bee activity was not different during three periods of the day: morning, midday, and evening. The mean ± SE colony size under the UV-transmitting covering was 86.0 ± 2 bees per colony after 10 days within the greenhouses, compared with 36.4 ± 5.8 bees per colony under the other three types of covering. Our results suggest that bee activity is greatest and bee loss through gutter ventilation systems lowest in greenhouses made with coverings that transmit high levels of UV light.

Résumé

L’activité des bourdons, Bombus impatiens Cresson, a été étudiée dans des serres de culture commerciale de tomates, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanaceae), en fonction du type de couverture de la serre, de la radiation solaire, des conditions de température et d’humidité. L’activité des bourdons a été mesurée au moyen de sondes à photodiodes insérées à l’entrée des colonies. Les tailles des colonies servaient d’indicateurs des pertes de bourdons par le système de ventilation des gouttières en relation avec la couverture. Les sondes d’activité se sont avérées de bons outils pour prédire les entrées et sorties réelles des bourdons (r2 = 0,85). L’activité des bourdons était de 94,0% plus importante sous les couvertures qui laissent passer l’ultraviolet (UV) que sous les couvertures qui transmettent moins bien la lumière UV. Nous n’avons pas trouvé de relation entre l’activité des bourdons et la quantité de radiation solaire ou d’humidité à l’intérieur des serres. L’activité des bourdons était en faible corrélation positive avec la température à l’intérieur des serres (r2 = 0,18). L’activité ne différait pas au cours des périodes de la journée : matin, midi et soir. La taille moyenne ± écart type des colonies sous la couverture qui laisse passer l’ultraviolet a été estimée à 86,0 ± 2 individus par colonie après 10 jours en serre, comparativement à 36,4 ± 5,8 individus par colonie sous les trois autres types de couverture. Nos résultats indiquent que l’activité des bourdons est maximale et la perte d’individus par le système de ventilation des gouttières, minimale dans les serres ou la couverture laisse passer l’ultraviolet.

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 133 , Issue 6 , December 2001 , pp. 883 - 893
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2001

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