Bombus confusus is a species of bumblebee found in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia,[1] Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.[2]

Bombus confusus
Bombus confusus male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Bombus
Subgenus: Bombias
Species:
B. confusus
Binomial name
Bombus confusus
Schenck, 1859

Appearance

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The functional morphology of Bombus confusus has been investigated (as well as others), and found that the males have enlarged eyes and a frontal zone with enlarged facets. This can be associated with improved spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity, all of which connect to the mating of the males.[3]

Reproduction

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Visual search for females was thought to be the only observed pre-mating behavior in Bombus confusus. Studies confirm that alongside visual search, labial gland secretion is also used to attract females.[4]

References

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  1. ^ lsm.lv: Do not be confused by Latvian bug of the year 2024
  2. ^ "Bombus confusus Schenck, 1859". Fauna Europaea. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
  3. ^ Streinzer, Martin; Spaethe, Johannes (2014-02-25). "Functional morphology of the visual system and mating strategies in bumblebees (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Bombus)". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 170 (4): 735–747. doi:10.1111/zoj.12117. ISSN 0024-4082.
  4. ^ Oldrich, Hovorka; Urbanova, Klara; Valtevora, Irena (1998). "Premating Behavior of Bombus confusus and Analysis of their Labial Gland Secretion". Journal of Chemical Ecology. 24 (1): 183–193. doi:10.1023/A:1022353315874.