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10-Minute Presentation

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

10-min: P-IE, Behavior, Genetics, and Diagnostics

Exploring the feasibility of radio transmitters for locating rare bumble bee (Bombus spp.) nests

Sunday, November 10, 2024
10:54 AM – 11:06 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 223
Oral Presentation

    Presenting Author(s)

  • JG

    Jakob Tiler Goldner

    Conservation Entomologist
    West Virginia Divison of Natural Resources
    Elkins, West Virginia

    • Co-Author(s)

  • RD

    Rick Doyle

    West Virginia Divison of Natural Resources
    Elkins, West Virginia

  • BG

    Brian Gordon

    West Virginia Divison of Natural Resources
    Elkins, West Virginia

  • AS

    Alexander Silvis

    West Virginia Divison of Natural Resources
    Elkins, West Virginia

The 2015 West Virginia State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) identified pollinators as vital to the health of ecosystems through pollination of many angiosperm species (WVDNR 2015, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1.15, page 86). Bumble bee nesting habitat remains poorly understood, but is critical for conservation efforts. Identification of nest locations is difficult due to the mobility of bumble bees and the hidden nature of nests. A significant proportion of eastern bumble bee nest discoveries have been accidental. Improvements in radio telemetry transmitter technology now may be sufficient to enable successful tracking efforts of bumble bees, but little information is available on this topic, and no methods have been established as best practice. In 2023 and 2024, the WV DNR conducted a telemetry pilot study and attached transmitters to Bombus spp. workers. We developed methods for attaching radio transmitters, assessed flight capability with varying mass payloads, and documented multiday survival of study animals.