JOHNSON WAHENGBAM, A. M. RAUT, SATINDER PAL AND A. NAJITHA BANU
Department of Zoology, School of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara144 411 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : najirila2010@gmail.com; Mobile : 77084 22990)
(Received : April 22, 2019; Accepted : June 12, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Bumble bee has been known for pollination of various crops which are normally unable to be pollinated by honey bees. They are mostly widespread on temperate areas, although the population has been declining in recent years and some species are in threat to extinction. Bumble bee has more benefits than honey bee in pollination where they visit more flower per minute, long tongue prefers flower with long corolla tube and also performs buzz pollination. Majority species prefer dark and undisturbed area for nesting and queen usually undergoes hibernation and starts colony in spring. A well-established colony contains approximately 400 bees depending on season of the year. Bumble bees are known for their constancy in flower visit and they left scent mark after visit which deters them from revisiting until the scent degrades. Bumble bee population is declining worldwide due to mechanization in agriculture, loss of habitat, pesticide used and climate changes. Global warming has impact on plants where protein level on pollen decreases with increased atmospheric CO2 level and it reduces the specialist bee pollinator to visit. The conservation practices include manipulation of agricultural practices and modification of landscape such as promoting wild flowers and creation of niches for their hibernation, survival and reproduction
Key words :Bumble bee, buzz pollination, hibernation, niches, habitat, pollinator