POLLEN‐FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF BOMBUS IN RELATION TO POLLINATION OF NOTOTRIBIC FLOWERS

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Abstract
Cinematographic records of the pollen‐foraging behavior of six Bombus species on Linaria vulgaris, Lobelia siphilitica, and Antirrhinum majus revealed a generally uniform pattern of pollen deposition by the nototribic flowers on the frons and scutum of the foragers. A forward sweeping motion of the tarsal brushes of their middle legs removed some of this pollen which was transferred to the tibial corbicula of the hind legs. Some insects foraged in an inverted position. An analysis of 804 pollen samples from frons, scutum, and corbiculum of 331 from a total of 395 Bombus visitors, representing eight of the nine native species, on the three plants indicated a high proportion of proper pollen being collected in addition to 15 kinds of foreign pollen. The pollen‐sweeping behavior of Bombus on nototribic flowers is suggested as an important means of pollen‐foraging apart from its utility in insect grooming. Pollen‐foraging insects are considered important pollinators of these nototribic flowers.
Funding Information
  • National Science Foundation (G‐23431)

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