Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Prado A., Requier Fabrice, Crauser D., Le Conte Y., Bretagnolle V., Alaux C. (2020). Honeybee lifespan : the critical role of pre-foraging stage. Royal Society Open Science, 7 (11), e200998 [13 p.]. ISSN 2054-5703.

Titre du document
Honeybee lifespan : the critical role of pre-foraging stage
Année de publication
2020
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000593871900001
Auteurs
Prado A., Requier Fabrice, Crauser D., Le Conte Y., Bretagnolle V., Alaux C.
Source
Royal Society Open Science, 2020, 7 (11), e200998 [13 p.] ISSN 2054-5703
Assessing the various anthropogenic pressures imposed on honeybees requires characterizing the patterns and drivers ofnatural mortality. Using automated lifelong individual monitoring devices, we monitored worker bees in different geographical, seasonal and colony contexts creating a broad range of hive conditions. We measured their life-history traits and notably assessed whether lifespan is influenced by pre-foraging flight experience. Our results show that the age at the first flight and onset of foraging are critical factors that determine, to a large extent, lifespan. Most importantly, our results indicate that a large proportion (40%) of the bees dieduring pre-foraging stage, and for those surviving, the elapsed time and flight experience between the first flight and the onset of foraging is of paramount importance to maximize the number of days spent foraging. Once in the foraging stage, individuals experience a constant mortality risk of 9% and 36% per hour of foraging and per foraging day, respectively. In conclusion, the pre-foraging stage during which bees performorientation flights is a critical driver of bee lifespan. We believe these data on the natural mortality risks in honeybee workerswill help assess the impact of anthropogenic pressures on bees.
Plan de classement
Environnement, écologie générale [021ENVECO] ; Biologie / Physiologie [080ZOOGEN04]
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010080710]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010080710
Contact