02/11: Understanding social insect pollination: behavioural and genetic approaches02/11 - Understanding social insect pollination: behavioural and genetic approaches ORGANISERS: Olivia Bernauer a, Michael Garratt b, Anders Nielsen c, Simon Tierney d a Dept. of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Russell Lab,1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA b Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading, Earley Gate PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UK c Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, Postboks 115, NO-1431 Ås, Norway Contact: S.Tierney@westernsydney.edu.au
SUMMARY: Understanding social bee pollination services requires in-depth knowledge of behavioural and evolutionary ecology. Phylogenetic assessment of bee functional traits provide insights on ecological interactions at the community-level, while population genetics and genomics have the potential to streamline assessment of pollen-flow across landscapes. This symposium canvases advances in methodologies and links researchers to promote shared progress.
ZOOM LINK: https://uws.zoom.us/j/81061919561?pwd=Y1c0SG9yZlhJTDZ2aFVyTjl4bzB5UT09 PROGRAMME (London time):
ABSTRACTS : Division of foraging behaviour: adapting social insect indices for pollination Olivia M. Bernauer*a,b, James M. Cooka, Simon M. Tierneya
a Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, NSW 2751 Australia b Dept of Entomology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Russell Labs,1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706 USA
* Presenting author: olivia.bernauer@gmail.com
Ethological indices developed for sociobiological contexts (caste evolution) have unrealised potential to provide novel insights into qualitative assessments of ecosystem services. From a community ecology perspective, it is important to understand whether ecosystem services are robust to disruption and loss of functional traits. Thus, precise characterisation of foraging behaviours and functional assessment of disparity between lineages is highly valuable. Video recordings (19,518 min; 2,350 visits; 19 taxa) were used to document on-flower behavioural repertoires (ethogram of 11-traits) in a community of insects visiting a model plant species. Just over half of all insect visits to flowers were legitimate (involved stigmal contact likely to aid pollination) and differed between taxa - proportionally more common in bees (especially Apis, Lasioglossum), hoverflies and clerid beetles. We adapted division of labour statistics designed to assess the fidelity of behavioural tasks within castes of eusocial animal colonies - a novel application. The community of pollinators in our study returned mid-range division of foraging behaviour indices, even when we simulated extinction of individual taxon. Results suggest that ecosystem services (functional behavioural traits at the community level) may be resilient to pollination network disruption.
Additive effects on bumblebee behaviour: climate, pesticides & pollination
Julie Sørlie Paus-Knudsen*a, Michael Garrattb, Dara Stanleyc, Katrine Borgåd, Malin Røyset Aarønesd, Nora Kildebod, Alison O´Reillyc, Anders Nielsena,e
a Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis, Dept of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0371 Oslo, Norway b School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, United Kingdom c School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland d Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo e Dept Landscape & Biodiversity, Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, PO Box 115, NO-1431 Ås, Norway
* Presenting author: j.s.paus-knudsen@ibv.uio.no
Climate change and insecticides are drivers of pollinator declines worldwide. Discovery of systemic insecticides protects the whole plant, (including pollen & nectar) as well as agricultural workers. Nevertheless, these insecticides still contaminate the pollen and the nectar that pollinators feed on. Banned insecticides (imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam) are found in nature long after application; and even new replacements have been shown to also have adverse effects on pollinator health. To study the combined effects of temperature and insecticides on bumblebees we undertook two studies. (1) We used machine learning to track bumblebee behaviour in an experimental foraging setting exposed to a neonicotinoid (clothianidin); and found chemical concentration-dependent occurrence of clothianidin in head and body tissue. (2) We investigated how clothianidin and a new butanolide insecticide (flupyradifuron) altered foraging visits over a temperature gradient; measuring yield and quality of strawberries and field beans. To detect colony-effects, we exposed colonies to insecticides (21-days) and removed the exposure, feeding them sugar water (21-days); and recorded insecticide concentration in immature stages (egg, larva, pupa), adult caste (workers, queens) and hive material. Results show clothianidin does not bioaccumulate in bumblebees, and we found no evidence of clothianidin affecting nectar consumption in our first experiment.
Temperature sensitive effects of the neonicotinoid clothianidin on bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) foraging behaviour
Pawel Jan Kolano*a, Katrine Borgåb, Anders Nielsenc,a
a Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis, Dept of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norwayb Section of Aquatic biology & Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norwayc Dept of Landscape & Biodiversity, Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy Research, PO Box 115, 1431 Ås, Norway
* Presenting author: pawel.kolano@hotmail.com
Pesticides, including neonicotinoids, have been pointed out as one of the main drivers behind pollinator declines. Exposure to neonicotinoids at sublethal doses can alter foraging behaviour, negatively affecting the pollinators survival. Using a custom-made bumblebee colony monitoring system, we examined how the number and duration of foraging bouts of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) on an individual level was affected by exposure to low (6.5 μg/L) and high (10.2 μg/L) sublethal concentrations of the neonicotinoid clothianidin via nectar. We also examined possible interaction between clothianidin exposure and abiotic factors (temperature and precipitation), and its impact on foraging bout number and duration. Exposure to sublethal concentrations of clothianidin increased foraging bout duration in bumblebees. Furthermore, the foraging bout duration decreased with increasing temperature at both exposure concentrations, whereas the unexposed control group was not affected by temperature. The foraging bout duration decreased with increasing precipitation in both exposed and non-exposed groups. However, no interaction between precipitation and exposure was found. We conclude that the effect of clothianidin exposure on bumblebee foraging behaviour is temperature sensitive and that local climatic conditions and future climate change scenarios should be considered in risk assessments of clothianidin and other insecticides.
Bumblebees strategically use ground level linear features in navigation Joanna Brebner*a, James Makinsona,b, Olivia Batesaa,c, Natacha Rossia, Ka S. Limd, Thibault Duboise,f, Tamara Gómez-Morachoe, Mathieu Lihoreaue, Lars Chittkaa, Joe Woodgatea
a Dept of Biological & Experimental Psychology, School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdomb Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, 2751 Australiac Dept of Ecology & Evolution, Biophore, UNIL-Sorge, University of Lausanne, Switzerlandd Dept of Agroecology, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdome Research Center on Animal Cognition, Center for Integrative Biology, University Paul Sabatier Toulouse III, Francef Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia
* Presenting author: j.s.brebner@qmul.ac.uk
Extended ground level structures like roads or field edges can be important cues for navigating animals, seen for example in road-following pigeons. In a landscape devoid of skyline cues but with a rectangular grid of pathways and roads, we used harmonic radar to track free-flying bumble bees, Bombus terrestris. Individual bees consistently used ground level linear features for navigation in a wide range of behavioural contexts. Bee exploration flights, search behaviour and foraging routes were shaped by linear features, with bees frequently flying along and parallel to pathways and roads. Comparisons of flight trajectories across these behavioural contexts show that individuals modulated their use of linear features strategically with respect to their individual goals and experience. Bees searching for a feeder used linear features to target their search, while foragers often followed pathways to return to their hive without overshooting. These findings on a major pollinator have important implications for the placements of bee colonies for agriculture and floral resources for conservation.
Sayonara bees: impacts of invasive species on pollination interaction networks of the Ogasawara Islands
Marta Quitián*a, Isaac Planas-Sitjàa,b, Anna Travesetc, Simón M. Tierneyd,a, Adam L. Cronina
a Dept Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Minami-Osawa 1-1, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0397, Japanb School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdomc Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats, Dept Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de las Islas Baleares, Miquel Marqués 21, 07190-Esporles, Mallorca, Illes Balears, España.d Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, 2751 Australia
* Presenting author: marta.quitian@protonmail.com
Introduction of invasive species can cause strong imbalances in ecosystem functioning, especially in sensitive oceanic islands with high endemism because the inhabitants and the interactions between them have evolved in isolation. The Ogasawara Islands of Japan is an oceanic archipelago of World Heritage status (~1,000km S of Tokyo), which in recent decades has faced increasing disturbance from invasive species including the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) and the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). These invasive species can have strong direct and indirect effects through predation and competition on the native island pollination system which, among other pollinator groups, originally comprised nine native bee species from social (Certainini, Xylocopini) and solitary (Lithurgini, Megachilini, Osmini) lineages. In this study, we use an ecological network approach to compare islands with different degrees of impact from invasion. We present preliminary data on how these invasive species have affected the original island pollinator community and how this has influenced pollination interaction networks in different islands.
Wild bees are less abundant but more effective than managed pollinators based on their foraging behaviour in sweet cherry
Zeus Mateos-Fierro*a, Michael P. D. Garrattb, Michelle T. Fountainc, Kate Ashbrooka & Duncan B. Westburyaa School of Science & Environment, University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ, United Kingdomb School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, United Kingdomc 3NIAB EMR, New Road, East Malling, Kent ME19 6BJ, United Kingdom
* Presenting author: z.mateosfierro@worc.ac.uk
Commercial sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) and other pollinator-dependent crops benefit from insect pollination and whilst managed pollinators are often utilized, wild pollinators can improve pollination services, but they normally require semi natural habitats also. The importance of a pollinator species depends on its relative abundance and pollination effectiveness which is determined by foraging behaviour. We conducted pollinator behavioural observations to explore abundance, richness and foraging behaviour of different insect pollinator guilds. We also established and managed wildflower strips in alleyways, between cherry tree rows, to investigate effects on wild pollinator diversity and abundance and their potential to maximize production. Results indicate that although cherry blossoms were more likely to be visited by managed pollinators, wild solitary bee and bumblebee behaviours are probably more effective, providing enhanced pollination in sweet cherry orchards, which could in turn increase yields. Also, some behavioural parameters observed varied throughout the day within different pollinator guilds, but were consistent when all pollinator guilds were considered altogether, suggesting a more diverse pollinator community may provide a more stable and resilient pollination service. Finally, managing wildflower strips increased pollinator diversity and abundance, which led to improved pollination services with 6.5% more harvestable fruit.
Pollinators and pollen transport: implication for crop pollination
Michael P. D. Garratt*a, Rory O’Connora, Matt Ordidgea, Amanda Kalstromb, Louise C. Truslovea & Simon G. Pottsa
a Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading, Earley Gate PO Box 237, Reading RG6 6AR, UKb Horticulture Research East Malling, New Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BJ, United Kingdom
* Presenting author: m.p.garratt@reading.ac.uk
Wild and managed pollinators contribute to crop pollination. Therefore, an understanding of pollinator behaviour and subsequent pollen vectoring is necessary to underpin sustainable management of pollination services. Apples are a globally important entomophilous self-incompatible crop, and require pollen from compatible ‘pollinser’ trees in order to set sufficient high-quality fruit. Therefore, apples represent an ideal system in which to explore the role of pollinator behaviour and community composition in pollen transport and pollination. Combining data on insect behaviour, and a field trial using SSR marker techniques to assess apple parentage, we explore potential pollen sources and pollen movement across three UK orchards. Insect pollinators forage in different ways and this effects how pollen is vectored between flowers. We found that viable pollen delivered to apple flowers is likely derived from neighbouring orchards located within the wider landscape, and therefore delivered by insects foraging across a broad area. These results shed light on the pollination dynamics in an agroecosystem and highlight which pollinators might be contributing to crop pollination. These findings improve our understanding of pollinator foraging behaviour and could help support pollination management and address shortfalls in crop yield and quality.
Tracking pollen vectors across time and space: a genomic approach
Simon M. Tierney*a,b, Kor-jent van Dijkb,c, Alison Hewitta, Paul Rymera, Michelle Waycottb,c & James M. Cooka
a Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, NSW 2751 Australiab School of Biological Sciences, the University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005 Australiac State Herbarium of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
* Presenting author: s.tierney@westernsydney.edu.au
The contributions of native unmanaged pollinators to natural and agricultural environments is largely unknown despite their importance for ecological community resilience and food production. Genomic methodologies designed for comparative phylogenetic contexts are emerging as tools for pollination ecology. Targeted enrichment hybrid-capture methods (RNA-baits for DNA sequestration) combined with high-throughput sequencing technology were used here to understand how central place foraging social bee behaviour affects pollen vectoring within and between natural and cultivated landscapes. In this talk, we outline a case study focusing on the foraging behaviour of two corbiculate apid bees (Apidae): (a) unmanaged native Australian meliponine stingless bees (Tetragonula carbonaria); and (b) managed and feral European honey bees (Apis mellifera). We constructed a 75 Gigabase reference library of 77 insect pollinated angiosperms (75 native species, 12-apple and 2-cherry varieties) in order to identify body pollen carried by bees: repeatedly sampled at three time series across a 90,000m2 area over the duration of an apple orchard flowering period. Managed hives were centrally located, whereas feral honey bees and native meliponines were transiting from the surrounding landscape – the UNESCO World Heritage Blue Mountains Area. Outcomes are discussed in terms of the insights provided to social bee foraging behaviour.
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