What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the spatial scale, flight trajectories, and foraging constancy of bumble bees across an agricultural landscape using harmonic radar.

September 1, 1999Journal of Applied Ecology

A landscape‐scale study of bumble bee foraging range and constancy, using harmonic radar

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Authors

JOJuliet L. OsborneUniversity of Exeter SCSuzanne ClarkCalifornia Northstate University RMRobert J. MorrisUniversity of Maryland, College Park

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Implication

Radar tracking study reveals long-distance, directional foraging flights in bumble bees, highlighting the necessity of landscape-scale conservation strategies.

Key Points

To determine the spatial scale, flight trajectories, and foraging constancy of bumble bees across an agricultural landscape using harmonic radar.
Fitted bumble bees (Bombus terrestris L.) from two colonies with lightweight radar transponders on a mixed arable farm.
Tracked individual bees flying to and from the nest using harmonic radar to record route length, compass direction, and straightness.
Superimposed recorded flight trajectories onto landscape maps to assess foraging destinations relative to the spatial distribution of floral resources.
Outward tracks had a mean length of 275.3 ± 18.5 m (n = 65; range: 70–631 m) and frequently led to forage patches located beyond the nearest available flowers.
Both outward and return paths showed high linearity, with a mean straightness ratio of 0.93 ± 0.01 (n = 99) and ground speeds ranging from 3.0 m s⁻¹ to 15.7 m s⁻¹ (n = 100).
Most tracked bees maintained consistent compass bearings and destinations across consecutive foraging trips, with only one bee observed switching forage patches.

Cite This Study

Osborne et al. (1999) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a12dd4e06ed52b5c2c0adcf https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1999.00428.x

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Implication

Radar tracking study reveals long-distance, directional foraging flights in bumble bees, highlighting the necessity of landscape-scale conservation strategies.

A landscape‐scale study of bumble bee foraging range and constancy, using harmonic radar

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

A landscape‐scale study of bumble bee foraging range and constancy, using harmonic radar

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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