Author: Diane M. Thomson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biological invasions
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description

Author: Michelle Constanza Miner
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780355936841
Category : Argentine ant
Languages : en
Pages : 101

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Book Description
Bees are important in both agricultural and natural ecosystems for the pollination services that they provide. However, invasive ants that exploit floral nectar in these landscapes can act as resource competitors with bees. Competitive interactions between bees and ants can have repercussions for pollinator resource acquisition, plant or bee fitness, and, ultimately, ecosystem function. There are gaps in our knowledge about the behaviors and sensory mechanisms involved in interference competition between bees and nectivorous, non-pollinator antagonists. Here, we studied how invasive ants influence bees in the context of nectar foraging. First, we performed laboratory assays to assess the foraging behavior of bumble bees (Bombus impatiens) in response to live Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) or to a subset of ant chemical cues. We found that bees were deterred by the presence of live ants as well as the combination of olfactory and gustatory ant chemical cues. Next, we characterized specific ant-bee interactions and behavioral transitions at shared nectar resources. We found that two-thirds of bee behaviors did not involve feeding, and, of those, the majority of them were aggressive interactions with ants. Similarly, 70% of behavioral transitions did not involve feeding, of which 82.3% were transitions among aggressive behaviors. Consistent with predictions of interference competition, the number of ants at a shared resource decreased the probability of a bee feeding and increased the likelihood of a bee being bitten. Similarly, getting bitten by an ant decreased the probability that a bee would subsequently feed. Finally, we examined participation and foraging success of bees during experiments with live Argentine ants, as well as the influence of ant-bee interactions on bee foraging activity and movement. We found that the majority of bees never foraged during experimental trials, consistent with high levels of non-activity in other social insects. There was further evidence of foraging specialization among bees: foragers that came into contact with ants and were nonaggressive were less successful at resource acquisition, while the foragers exhibiting aggression toward ants were more successful.

Author: The Xerces Society
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 1603427473
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 385

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Book Description
With the recent decline of the European honey bee, it is more important than ever to encourage the activity of other native pollinators to keep your flowers beautiful and your grains and produce plentiful. In Attracting Native Pollinators, you’ll find ideas for building nesting structures and creating a welcoming habitat for an array of diverse pollinators that includes not only bees, but butterflies, moths, and more. Take action and protect North America’s food supply for the future, while at the same time enjoying a happily bustling landscape.

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309102898
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 327

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Book Description
Pollinators-insects, birds, bats, and other animals that carry pollen from the male to the female parts of flowers for plant reproduction-are an essential part of natural and agricultural ecosystems throughout North America. For example, most fruit, vegetable, and seed crops and some crops that provide fiber, drugs, and fuel depend on animals for pollination. This report provides evidence for the decline of some pollinator species in North America, including America's most important managed pollinator, the honey bee, as well as some butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds. For most managed and wild pollinator species, however, population trends have not been assessed because populations have not been monitored over time. In addition, for wild species with demonstrated declines, it is often difficult to determine the causes or consequences of their decline. This report outlines priorities for research and monitoring that are needed to improve information on the status of pollinators and establishes a framework for conservation and restoration of pollinator species and communities.

Author: Karen Goodell
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biological invasions
Languages : en
Pages : 218

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Book Description

Author: Dave Goulson
Publisher: Oxford University Press on Demand
ISBN: 0199553068
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description
This book provides a concise and readable summary of the ecology and behaviour of bumblebees, with a particular focus on practical issues such as conservation strategies, management of bumblebees for crop pollination, and the possible impacts of bumblebees as non-native invasive species.

Author: Jeff Ollerton
Publisher: Pelagic Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1784272299
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 425

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Book Description
A unique and personal insight into the ecology and evolution of pollinators, their relationships with flowers, and their conservation in a rapidly changing world. The pollination of flowers by insects, birds and other animals is a fundamentally important ecological function that supports both the natural world and human society. Without pollinators to facilitate the sexual reproduction of plants, the world would be a biologically poorer place in which to live, there would be an impact on food security, and human health would suffer. Written by one of the world’s leading pollination ecologists, this book provides an introduction to what pollinators are, how their interactions with flowers have evolved, and the fundamental ecology of these relationships. It explores the pollination of wild and agricultural plants in a variety of habitats and contexts, including urban, rural and agricultural environments. The author also provides practical advice on how individuals and organisations can study, and support, pollinators. As well as covering the natural history of pollinators and flowers, the author discusses their cultural importance, and the ways in which pollinator conservation has been portrayed from a political perspective. The book draws on field work experiences in South America, Africa, Australia, the Canary Islands and the UK. For over 30 years the author has spent his career researching how plants and pollinators evolve relationships, how these interactions function ecologically, their importance for society, and how we can conserve them in a rapidly changing world. This book offers a unique and personal insight into the science of pollinators and pollination, aimed at anyone who is interested in understanding these fascinating and crucial ecological interactions.

Author: Dave Goulson
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 9780198526070
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
Bumblebees are undergoing a widespread decline, but this has not yet caught the attention of the general public to the same extent as, for example, the plight of rare butterflies or birds. This title attempts to draw attention to the importance of conserving dwindling bumblebee populations.

Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0128043318
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 382

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Book Description
Networks of Invasion bridges a conceptual gap between ecological network studies and invasion biology studies. This book contains chapters detailing pressing concerns regarding invasive species in food webs, but also extends the idea of networks of invasion to other systems, such as mutualistic networks or even the human microbiome. Chapters describe the tools, models, and empirical methods adapted for tackling invasions in ecological networks. - Contains chapters detailing pressing concerns regarding invasive species in food webs - Deals with topical and important reviews on the physiology, populations, and communities of plants and animals

Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309164559
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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Book Description
Pollinators-insects, birds, bats, and other animals that carry pollen from the male to the female parts of flowers for plant reproduction-are an essential part of natural and agricultural ecosystems throughout North America. For example, most fruit, vegetable, and seed crops and some crops that provide fiber, drugs, and fuel depend on animals for pollination. This report provides evidence for the decline of some pollinator species in North America, including America's most important managed pollinator, the honey bee, as well as some butterflies, bats, and hummingbirds. For most managed and wild pollinator species, however, population trends have not been assessed because populations have not been monitored over time. In addition, for wild species with demonstrated declines, it is often difficult to determine the causes or consequences of their decline. This report outlines priorities for research and monitoring that are needed to improve information on the status of pollinators and establishes a framework for conservation and restoration of pollinator species and communities.