Description
Size variation amongst eusocial bees is most profound in the genus Bombus. It has a strong impact on individual behaviour and colony organization. The goal of this study was to elucidate whether size variation has an impact on morphology and light sensitivity of the visual system of Bombus terrestris. After a comprehensive analysis of the compound eyes and ocella we discovered distinct morphological differences in the eye structure, with larger individuals showing an increase in size and number of ommatidia as well as an increase in ocella diameter. In a behavioural experiment we found that differences in body size have a strong impact upon the light sensitivity of the visual system, with larger bees being able to fly at significantly lower light intensities. These data suggest that larger individuals are able to forage earlier at dawn and later at dusk compared to their smaller nestmates, thus being yet another possible factor contributing to the size related division of labour in bumblebees.| Period | 2006 |
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| Event title | Second European Conference of Apidology |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Prag, Czech RepublicShow on map |