Effect of food availability on individual foraging specialisation in the stingless bee Plebeia tobagoensis (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

Abstract

This study reports on the occurrence and dynamics of foraging task specialisation in the stingless bee Plebeia tobagoensis. We test the hypothesis that in a stable environment foraging task specialisation is preferred, but that individuals readily switch to other foraging tasks when changes in food availability occur. The study was performed in a greenhouse, where food availability could be controlled. When all food sources were available, most individuals (71%) specialised on the collection of one food commodity. When this commodity was removed 50% of the specialists switched foraging tasks. When comparing foraging performance of flexible and specialised foragers we found that specialised bees performed better. However, most specialised foragers do make a costly switch to other foraging tasks when a change in food availability occurs. It seems likely that this high individual flexibility is adaptive for relatively small social bee colonies, living in a dynamic environment. © INRA/DIB-AGIB/ EDP Sciences, 2006.