TY - JOUR
T1 - A larval hunger signal in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris
AU - Den Boer, Susanne Petronella A
AU - Duchateau, Marie-Jose
N1 - Keywords. Bombus - larval solicitation - hunger signal - cuticular chemicals - feeding
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Larvae of Bombus terrestris, a pollen-storing bumblebee, are dependent on progressive provisioning by workers. We test the hypothesis that larval cuticular chemicals can act as a hunger signal. We first show with a new classical conditioning experiment, using a Y-shaped tube, that workers can be trained to prefer the extracts of normally fed larvae over those of starved larvae. This proves the ability of workers to discriminate between larval extracts. Second, we show in a bioassay that workers also use these perceived differences to feed larvae according to their nutritional status. Larval broods sprayed with the extracts of the starved larvae were fed significantly more than larval broods sprayed with the extracts of normally fed larvae or with the solvent (n-pentane) only. We therefore conclude that B. terrestris larvae signal their need for food via their cuticular chemicals, and discuss the extent to which this form of communication could give larvae some control over their development.
AB - Larvae of Bombus terrestris, a pollen-storing bumblebee, are dependent on progressive provisioning by workers. We test the hypothesis that larval cuticular chemicals can act as a hunger signal. We first show with a new classical conditioning experiment, using a Y-shaped tube, that workers can be trained to prefer the extracts of normally fed larvae over those of starved larvae. This proves the ability of workers to discriminate between larval extracts. Second, we show in a bioassay that workers also use these perceived differences to feed larvae according to their nutritional status. Larval broods sprayed with the extracts of the starved larvae were fed significantly more than larval broods sprayed with the extracts of normally fed larvae or with the solvent (n-pentane) only. We therefore conclude that B. terrestris larvae signal their need for food via their cuticular chemicals, and discuss the extent to which this form of communication could give larvae some control over their development.
U2 - 10.1007/s00040-006-0883-8
DO - 10.1007/s00040-006-0883-8
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0020-1812
VL - 53
SP - 369
EP - 373
JO - Insectes Sociaux
JF - Insectes Sociaux
IS - 3
ER -