Effect of temperature on the foraging activity of Bombus terrestris L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) on greenhouse hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

The bumble bee Bombus terrestris L. is an effective pollinator in the cultivation of greenhouse hot pepper Capsicum annuum L. Data indicates that colony traffic and foraging activity was highest at 25.7°C in greenhouse, whereas at 32.7°C, the foraging activity and colony traffic decreased 69.7 and 40.0%, respectively. By increasing the number of larvae and workers, the colony traffic and foraging activity also increased, respectively. Moderate temperature in the morning probably facilitates the overall activity of bees in a greenhouse. The data indicates that bumble bee pollination increased the fruit mass and number of seeds by 27.2 and 47.8%, respectively, compared to that of the control. These significant results substantiate the effectiveness of bumble bees in the pollination of pepper grown in greenhouses.