Abstract
Females social insects are widely investigated, while males are often neglected. Previous work on the morphology of the bumble bee male alimentary tract has described the presence of swollen proventriculi as a character with taxonomic value. New observations suggest that the abnormal proventriculus might be an abnormal condition. Here, I identify a potential health issue in bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) male alimentary tracts that consists of a swollen and strongly melanized proventriculus, thereby preventing the normal passage of food through the esophageal valve. Males from three bumble bee species exhibited the abnormal proventriculus with an overall prevalence of 31.1% across two years. This finding challenges previous research that suggested the swollen and melanized proventriculus of Bombus males as a taxonomic character.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
