BUZZING BEES: COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BUMBLE BEE SOCIAL PARASITES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) AND THEIR HOSTS

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Abstract
Although sounds are produced by highly eusocial bees in a variety of contexts, their meaning and evolution are poorly understood. In this study we examined the communicative function of sound during dominance disputes in primitively eusocial bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The interaction between sound production and dominance behaviour was studied in the context of parasitism by obligate bumble bee social parasites (Psythyrus spp.). Females of Psithyrus bohemicus and P. vestalis produced sound during dominance interactions in bumble bee host colonies. Parasites mauled and pushed host bees, after which they buzzed with their wings folded. The sounds were broad band, with a mean frequency of 820 Hz for the loudest harmonic produced by a P. bohemicus female. The frequency range of recorded sounds matched that of the vibratory stimuli to which isolated bumble bee workers responded. Buzzing by some bumble bee social parasites may assist them in advertising a position of dominance in egg-laying hierarchies established in the absence of pheromonal inhibition of ovarian development.