JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
  • About K
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Alumni Relations
  • Giving to K
  • News & Events
  • Student Life
  • HORNET HIVE
  • ATHLETICS
  • SITEMAP
  • WEBMAIL
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • Biology
    • Biology Senior Integrated Projects
    • View Item
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • Biology
    • Biology Senior Integrated Projects
    • View Item

    Variation in Foraging Preferences by Bumble Bees Through Time with a Focus on Bombus affinis Conservation

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Searchable PDF/Kalamazoo College Only (5.558Mb)
    Date
    2018
    Author
    Vadlamudi, Asha
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) provide valuable pollination services to both wild Plant communities and crops. Given the decline of some bumble bee species and the recent placement of the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) on the endangered species list, efforts to conserve these insects are crucial. Understanding floral preferences of individual Bombus species can give insight into the importance of each Bombus species as pollinators of specific plants, whether there are plants serving as common resources, and the importance of individual plant species to Bombus species. However, little is known about the foraging behavior of bumble bee species, particularly Bombus affinis, as it relates to how plant preference varies throughout the day (diurnally) and between years (interannually). To fill this gap, we constructed plant-pollinator networks using data collected from photographic surveys conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. We found that there was no significant difference in foraging behavior diurnally between species, but that the foraging behavior significantly differed interannually between species, in some years. We also found that the number of plant species visited changes both diurnally and interannually. Finally, we found that Bombus affinis visited a range of plant species which differed interannually. These results suggest that external factors, such as climate change, may affect the bumble bee community interannually, from phenology changes and early onset of spring. Habitat fragmentation, in turn, may explain the lack of difference between diurnal foraging because bumble bees may have to rely on the plant species closest to them. Future studies should further explore the effects of climate change on phenology and the effect patchy floral resources may have on the foraging behavior of bumble bees, particularly B. affinis.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10920/35951
    Collections
    • Biology Senior Integrated Projects [1650]

    Browse

    All of CACHECommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2023  DuraSpace
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV
    Logo

    Kalamazoo College
    1200 Academy Street
    Kalamazoo Michigan 49006-3295
    USA
    Info 269-337-7000
    Admission 1-800-253-3602

    About K
    Academics
    Admission
    Alumni Relations
    Giving to K
    News & Events
    Student Life
    Sitemap
    Map & Directions
    Contacts
    Directories
    Nondiscrimination Policy
    Consumer Information
    Official disclaimer
    Search this site


    Academic Calendars
    Apply
    Bookstore
    Crisis Response
    Employment
    Library
    Registrar
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV