Which sex of B. fernaldii undertakes the risky business of nest invasion?
Answer
The queen
The entire reproductive cycle of *B. fernaldii* is structured around social parasitism, and only the queen engages in the perilous task of infiltrating an established nest of a suitable host species. Males do not participate in nest usurpation or provisioning, and workers are rarely seen outside the host nest where they mimic the host's workers. The queen must successfully invade early in the season to secure the resources necessary for her parasitic lineage to thrive during that year.
Related Questions
What is the scientifically designated name for the Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee?What specialized structure do female B. fernaldii lack that pollen-collecting bees possess?Which sex of B. fernaldii undertakes the risky business of nest invasion?What chemical agents are released by the invading queen to suppress host workers?Which species is frequently cited as a major host for Bombus fernaldii in the northeastern United States?How does the coloration of B. fernaldii males typically compare to that of the queens?What conservation designation does the Yellowish Cuckoo Bumblebee hold in New York State?According to field observation tips, what observation indicates a bee is likely a male or a female cuckoo?What tools does the invading B. fernaldii queen primarily use to physically overcome the resident host queen?Outside of the host nest, how does the queen's existence resemble the behavior of other bees?Which US state is mentioned as a location where B. fernaldii populations have been documented in the western part of its range?