The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability
Bumble bee population declines over the last decade have stimulated strong interest in determining causative factors and necessary conservation measures. Research attention has largely been directed toward bumble bee worker and queen health and their contributions to population stability, while male...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Insects |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/8/506 |
| _version_ | 1827711596271501312 |
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| author | Joseph E. Belsky Allison A. Camp David M. Lehmann |
| author_facet | Joseph E. Belsky Allison A. Camp David M. Lehmann |
| author_sort | Joseph E. Belsky |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bumble bee population declines over the last decade have stimulated strong interest in determining causative factors and necessary conservation measures. Research attention has largely been directed toward bumble bee worker and queen health and their contributions to population stability, while male bees (i.e., drones) have typically been overlooked regarding their role in influencing colony fitness and longevity. In this review we assess existing literature on the diverse role of males within bumble bee nests and their importance to queen health and fitness, as well as to overall nest success. The implications of reproductive measures, including sperm transfer, mating behavior, mating plugs, and male immunity, among other topics, are examined. Overall, bumble bee males are found to drive colony function in a unique manner. Current knowledge gaps pertaining to the role of males are discussed. We highlight the importance of drones to queen success and fitness in many ways, and suggest future research exploring impacts of this often-neglected caste. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:56:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4117f35fee004d91a647fc037f5e6f40 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:56:50Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj.art-4117f35fee004d91a647fc037f5e6f402023-11-20T09:08:56ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502020-08-0111850610.3390/insects11080506The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony ViabilityJoseph E. Belsky0Allison A. Camp1David M. Lehmann2Public Health & Environmental Systems Division, Integrated Health Assessment Branch Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), US—Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USAORISE Researcher, Research Triangle Park Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USAPublic Health & Environmental Systems Division, Integrated Health Assessment Branch Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), US—Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USABumble bee population declines over the last decade have stimulated strong interest in determining causative factors and necessary conservation measures. Research attention has largely been directed toward bumble bee worker and queen health and their contributions to population stability, while male bees (i.e., drones) have typically been overlooked regarding their role in influencing colony fitness and longevity. In this review we assess existing literature on the diverse role of males within bumble bee nests and their importance to queen health and fitness, as well as to overall nest success. The implications of reproductive measures, including sperm transfer, mating behavior, mating plugs, and male immunity, among other topics, are examined. Overall, bumble bee males are found to drive colony function in a unique manner. Current knowledge gaps pertaining to the role of males are discussed. We highlight the importance of drones to queen success and fitness in many ways, and suggest future research exploring impacts of this often-neglected caste.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/8/506<i>Bombus</i>bumble beemalematingimmunityqueen success |
| spellingShingle | Joseph E. Belsky Allison A. Camp David M. Lehmann The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability Insects <i>Bombus</i> bumble bee male mating immunity queen success |
| title | The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability |
| title_full | The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability |
| title_fullStr | The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability |
| title_short | The Importance of Males to Bumble Bee (<i>Bombus</i> Species) Nest Development and Colony Viability |
| title_sort | importance of males to bumble bee i bombus i species nest development and colony viability |
| topic | <i>Bombus</i> bumble bee male mating immunity queen success |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/11/8/506 |
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