Generally, when do the males of Bombus flavidus appear in the activity cycle relative to the queens?
Answer
Slightly later than the queens, starting in May or June.
The emergence timing of the sexes in *Bombus flavidus* follows a specific sequence dictated by the reproductive needs of the species. The mated queens emerge from diapause first, typically starting in March or May, to begin their parasitic missions. The males, however, appear slightly later in the season, generally beginning their activity period from May or June, continuing their presence into September. This staggered timing ensures that the males are available to mate with the new queens that emerge later in the summer or early autumn, completing the reproductive cycle before the season concludes, provided that floral resources remain consistent throughout this entire span.
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