Hunt for subt
Well we have arrived in New Zealand and have begun looking for subt! So far we don't think they have emerged yet. I have seen lots of the buff tail (Bombus terrestrius)and a few of the large garden bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus). Yesterday was our first field work day and we were very excited to see all colour forms of Bombus ruderatus! Here's some pictures of ruderatus and terrestrius foraging.
I had a meeting with plant and food institute on Thursday to discuss our methodology. They have already put some trap boxes out ready for any emerging subt looking for nesting sites. Here's some pics of Rosemary and Barry showing us B. hortorum nests just outside of their facility.
So today were in Lake Tekapo and tomorrow we head to Twizel for a few days. Twizel we think should be the best spot for collecting subt- we have quite a few field sites there and the prefect locations for subt. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Watch this space for more up and coming news on the hunt for subt
Till next time...........................
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posted by Nikki Gammans at
20:10
1 Comments:
Hi Nikki! Good luck to you in your search. I'm taking a Conservation Genetics class while pursuing my M.S. degree in biology over here in the Appalachian Mountains of the US, and I've been following the reintroduction efforts for Bombus subterraneus. Will you be doing any genetic testing on the captured queens to determine whether there are inbreeding effects or to determine kinship? I hadn't heard mention of it in any of the reports I'd seen on your efforts. I'm typing up a review paper right now on conservation genetics implications with the reintroduction of the short-haired bumblebee and was curious about whether it was being considered and how. Thanks for any information you can provide, and, again, good luck!
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Anonymous, At
22 November 2009 18:59
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