Reproduction success of 2nd generation daughter queens of Bombus terrestris
EAS Group pioneers lab-based method development for colony founding of 2nd generation daughter queens of Bombus terrestris L.
One of the important endpoints in field and semi-field bumble bee studies is the production of young queens emerging from the monitored colonies during the field phase. The studies also assess the possibility of test item related sub-lethal effects on the 2nd generation (infertility of daughter queens, loss of fitness from the hibernation phase etc.) hibernation success and colony-founding of young queens.
However, up until now, no method has been established to monitor the reproduction success of daughter queens.
For this reason, a small study was conducted in the laboratory to test the reproduction success of the 2nd generation, developing a method for:
- Mating of Young Queens
- Hibernation of Young Queens
- Founding of new colonies by hibernated Queens
We are pleased to report that all three phases were successful – our scientists based out of Niefern-Öschelbronn in Germany developed a method based on the study to evaluate the reproduction success of 2nd generation daughter queens.
The results show that in the near future it might be possible to include the reproductive phase of the 2nd generation in the endpoint evaluations of semi-field studies.
Below, the first image on the left shows successful mating of daughter queens in autumn 2020, highlighting the mating process of Male (left) with Young Queen (right). The right-hand image illustrates the hibernation of mated young queens from 2020 to 2021, overwintering the Young Queens in safe storage.
Successful colony founding of 2nd generation was realised in 2021! The images here from left to right show the new foundress Queen on small brood nest with first emerged workers, the developing brood nest (with egg cells, larvae, pupae and nectar pots) after approx. 3 weeks and the transfer of the brood nest to a larger area after approx. 4 weeks.
If you have any questions, please contact Julian Fricke
