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A SUCCESSFUL METHOD FOR ARTIFICIALLY HIBERNATING MEGABOMBUS F. FERVIDUS, AND NOTES ON A RELATED SPECIES (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE; BOMBINAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

H. E. Milliron
H. E. Milliron
Affiliation:
Entomology Research Institute, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa
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Abstract

Megabombus f. fervidus (F.) queens were successfully hibernated in 1961–62 under artificial conditions that are described in detail. One-half succumbed within 3 days after being removed to conditions allowing resumption of active behavior, and 68.7% perished by the end of 3 weeks. Hibernation and (or) post-hibernation survival are believed to be dependent on the amount of fat bodies metabolized prior to this dispause period. Infertile queens (and possibly large workers) are capable of hibernating. It has been discovered that during hibernation the spermatozoa encyst in the spermatheea of fervidus, and it is probable that this phenomenon is not unusual to most species hibernating under cold conditions.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 99 , Issue 12 , December 1967 , pp. 1321 - 1332
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1967

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