<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Bumblebees (<italic>Bombus </italic>spp.) are morphologically different from each other as determined by the length of their tongue. Seven species of bumblebees were identified in the Wrocław Botanical Garden: the long-tongued <italic>Bombus hortorum, </italic>and the medium-tongued <italic>B. pascuorum</italic>, and the 5 short-tongued species, <italic>Bombus hypnorum</italic>, <italic>Bombus lapidarius</italic>, <italic>Bombus terrestris</italic>, <italic>Bombus lucorum</italic>, and <italic>Bombus pratorum</italic>. Bumblebees were observed so that their choice of food within the botanical family could be determined. The shape and colour choice of the flower was particularly noted. Bumblebees showed the highest degree of preference for the Lamiaceae family. The Boraginaceae family was also used by all of the recorded species. Bumblebees found pink and purple, lipped, capitular/ globular, and saucer-shaped flowers to be most attractive. The individual species of bumblebees showed different preferences, which may be explained by the differences in their morphology. However, bumblebee flower preference and selection seems to be more complex and requires further, detailed research.</p></abstract>

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are morphologically different from each other as determined by the length of their tongue. Seven species of bumblebees were identified in the Wrocław Botanical Garden: the long-tongued Bombus hortorum, and the medium-tongued B. pascuorum, and the 5 short-tongued species, Bombus hypnorum, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus terrestris, Bombus lucorum, and Bombus pratorum. Bumblebees were observed so that their choice of food within the botanical family could be determined. The shape and colour choice of the flower was particularly noted. Bumblebees showed the highest degree of preference for the Lamiaceae family. The Boraginaceae family was also used by all of the recorded species. Bumblebees found pink and purple, lipped, capitular/ globular, and saucer-shaped flowers to be most attractive. The individual species of bumblebees showed different preferences, which may be explained by the differences in their morphology. However, bumblebee flower preference and selection seems to be more complex and requires further, detailed research.

Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Science, Faculty of Plant Protection, pl. Grunwaldzki 24a, PL - 50-363 Wroclaw

Journal of Apicultural Science

{"article-title":"Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)"}

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are morphologically different from each other as determined by the length of their tongue. Seven species of bumblebees were identified...

Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Published Online: Jan 12, 2013

Page range: 27 - 36

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10289-012-0021-y

Keywords
bumblebees, flowers, food preferences, entomogamic classes, colour.

This content is open access.

Flower Preferences of the Wrocław Botanical Garden Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Published Online: Jan 12, 2013

Page range: 27 - 36

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10289-012-0021-y

Keywordsbumblebees, flowers, food preferences, entomogamic classes, colour.

This content is open access.

Keywords
bumblebees, flowers, food preferences, entomogamic classes, colour.