Bumblebees From Northern Ellesmere Island, With Observations on Usurpation by Megabombus hyperboreus (Schönh.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract Two species of Apidae occur on Ellesmere Island: Megabombus ( Megabombus ) polaris (Curtis) and M . ( M .) hyperboreus (Schönherr). Some observations on their activity are presented. Three nests built on the surface of the ground are described. The colonies were of small size. Nest No. 1 co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Entomologist
Main Authors: Milliron, H. E., Oliver, D. R.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1966
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/ent98207-2
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X00056170
Description
Summary:Abstract Two species of Apidae occur on Ellesmere Island: Megabombus ( Megabombus ) polaris (Curtis) and M . ( M .) hyperboreus (Schönherr). Some observations on their activity are presented. Three nests built on the surface of the ground are described. The colonies were of small size. Nest No. 1 contained only polaris Nests Nos. 2 and 3 contained polaris workers and hyperboreus sexuals, as adults or brood. Usurpation is suggested to explain the workerless condition of hyperboreus in Nests Nos. 2 and 3.