Bombus confusus explained

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

Appearance

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

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]

Notes and References

1. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/environment/09.01.2024-do-not-be-confused-by-latvian-bug-of-the-year-2024.a538207/ lsm.lv: Do not be confused by Latvian bug of the year 2024
2. Web site: Bombus confusus Schenck, 1859. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134844/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=231867. dead. July 14, 2014. Fauna Europaea. 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. en. 170. 4. 735–747. 10.1111/zoj.12117. 0024-4082.
4. Oldrich . Hovorka . Urbanova . Klara . Valtevora . Irena . Premating Behavior of Bombus confusus and Analysis of their Labial Gland Secretion . Journal of Chemical Ecology . 1998 . 24 . 1 . 183–193 . 10.1023/A:1022353315874.