Developing and Evaluating a New Method and Apparatus for Examining Bumble Bee Foraging Behavior

A key question in pollination biology is that of how pollinators identify and choose foraging patches. Several approaches have been employed for this, including field studies large greenhouse flight chambers. Most methods used to date are limited, though, by reliance on a combination artificial flowers, spatial scales, or lack spatially distinct floral To address this issue, we designed tested y-maze arena it using the bumblebee Bombus impatiens canola plants. Our results indicate system not biased environmental conditions, an innate “handedness” impatiens. We found bees made all expected patch choices when presented with soil, plants without flowers. This new method important useful as allows researchers ask questions both plant health insect behavior chamber modular allowing simple changes setup focus different questions. • Y-maze was evaluate intact No evidence side preference individual bees. Behaviors observed appear correspond behaviors other settings.