Opportunistic Bumble Bees Congregate to Feed at Rare, Distant Alpine Honeydew Bonanzas

Authors

Suzanne W.T. Batra, USDA

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society

Volume

66

Issue

1

Publication Date

7-20-1993

First Page

125

Last Page

127

Abstract

Numerous Bombus terricola Kirby workers and males ingested crystallizing honeydew that had accumulated on balsam firs in the alpine tundra near the summit of Whiteface Mt., N.Y., during unusually warm, dry weather in July 1982 and 1991. Bumble bees may fly far to opportunistically exploit this rare, energy-rich resource. This has significant implications for optimal foraging theory.

Recommended Citation

Batra, Suzanne W.T., "Opportunistic Bumble Bees Congregate to Feed at Rare, Distant Alpine Honeydew Bonanzas" (1993). Ba. Paper 178.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/178