Gillian Lye
PhD Research Student
BSc (Hons.) Biology, University of Southampton, UK. (2001-2004)
Supervisors:
Prof. Dave Goulson, University of Stirling
Dr. Kirsty Park, University of Stirling
Dr. Juliet Osborne, Rothamsted Research
Dr. John Holland, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Start Date: 1st October 2005
tel: +44 1786
467831
fax: +44 1786 467843
email: gillian.lye@stir.ac.uk
Research Project
The ecology and conservation of British bumblebee species
Research funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Background
In Britain, the agricultural revolution that followed World War Two saw a shift in farming practices leading to the impoverishment of previously biodiverse agricultural landscapes and the rapid decline of many species previously associated with farmland. Since this time there have also been huge declines in British bumblebees. Of the 25 native bumblebee species attributed to the British Isles, three have now been declared to be extinct in UK and nine are rare and threatened. These declines are generally attributed to the changes in land management associated with the agricultural revolution.
Artificial nest box success
It is clear that there have been significant declines in many bumblebee forage plants since this time, and several farmland management schemes are now in place to confront this problem. However, the change in structure of agricultural land has probably affected bumblebee communities in many other ways as well. These include reducing the availability of hibernation sites, nest sites and male patrolling sites for bumblebees. The contribution of these factors to bumblebee decline in the UK is as yet vastly understudied. A better understanding of the ecology and the causes of decline of British bumblebees will facilitate the development of more suitable conservation plans and land management schemes for these species.
Research aims
The aim of my project is to gain a better understanding of some of the deterministic factors that have contributed to the decline of many bumblebee species in the UK. My research focuses particularly on the nesting ecology of British bumblebees and the way in which shifts in agricultural practices may have affected nest site availability for these species. The project also seeks to addresses some of the stochastic influences that might be acting on impoverished bumblebee populations in the UK.
Nest Site Searching
My specific aims are to:
1. Identify the key nest-site requirements for the different UK bumblebee species and attempt to isolate the principle factors determining colony success
Although many generalisations can be made about where bumblebees choose to nest, the specific requirements of most British bumblebee species are not yet known in any detail. There is also very little known about the fate of natural bumblebee colonies over time, although it is known that many colonies fail to produce reproductive individuals (queens and males). The first aim of this project is to identify the nest site requirements and preferences of the different species of bumblebee present in the UK and research the effects of macro- and microhabitat on the longevity, susceptibility to predators, parasites and pathogens and reproductive success of natural and artificially reared bumblebee colonies, and also to determine the effect of different weather patterns on colony activity and growth.
2. Identify the cues used by bumblebee queens to locate suitable nest sites and use these to develop effective artificial domiciles for bumblebees for use in conservation or agriculture as a method of manipulating pollinator density
Bumblebees do not build their own nests, but instead, make use of existing cavities such as old disused mouse holes or bird nests. The mechanisms by which a bumblebee queen locates such a cavity is unknown and it has long been suggested that animal odours emanating from the old nest material in such cavities are used by the bee to find the site. However, there is very little evidence to support this theory and some argue that queen bumblebees probably rely solely on visual cues, searching for dark crevices, which they will then explore and accept or reject based on physical examination. All that is known for sure is that the commercial bumblebee nest boxes currently available are extremely ineffectual at attracting nesting bumblebee queens. The second aim of this project is to produce a more effective artificial domicile for bumblebees and to manipulate this design to test the influence of various visual and olfactory cues on uptake rate by queens.
3. Study the effects of genetic bottlenecking and subsequent isolation of populations on native British bumblebees in New Zealand and assess the suitability of using New Zealand populations of the locally extinct British bumblebee species, Bombus subterraneus, for reintroduction into the UK.
New Zealand Fieldwork
Four British bumblebee species were introduced into South Island, New Zealand at the end of the 19th century and have thrived there. Of these, the ruderal bumblebee (Bombus ruderatus) and the short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) are currently targeted species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and the latter was declared extinct in the UK in 2000. The third aim of this project is to compare the genetic diversity of populations of native British bumblebees from New Zealand with those in the UK to investigate the population genetic effects of a bottleneck event followed by over a hundred years of isolation from the founder population. Also to assess the genetic health, ecological requirements and rearing potential of New Zealand populations of the short-haired bumblebee in anticipation of a reintroduction attempt using these bees.
Memberships
Genetics Society
British Ecological Society
Society for Experimental Biology
Publications
Darvill, B., Ellis, J. S., Lye, G. C. and Goulson, D. (2006) Population structure and inbreeding in a rare and declining bumblebee, Bombus muscorum (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Molecular Ecology 15, 601–611
Darvill, B., Lye, G.C. and Goulson, D. Aggregations of male Bombus muscorum (Hymenoptera: Apidae) at mature nests. Incestuous brothers or amorous suitors? Apidologie In press.
Goulson, D., Lye, G.C., Darvill, B. The decline and conservation of bumblebees. Annual Review of Entomology In press.
