Influence of worker traits and pollen provisions on bumble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolony test performance

Bumble bee microcolonies have been used to investigate a range of research questions including pesticide effects. Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of worker size and age, as well as pollen quantity and quality, on microcolony test performance of common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens Cresson). The dataset compiles the results of four independent experiments with bumble bee microcolonies. Each experiment evaluated the effect of 1) worker size (small, large, and mixed size), 2) worker age (callow workers vs unknown age), 3) pollen provisions during nest establishment (cumulative 5 g [high] vs cumulative 2 g [low]), and 4) source of pollen (California source vs North Carolina source). All microcolonies were established with five callow worker bumble bees, except the microcolonies established with worker bumble bees of unknown age. Environmental conditions were the same in all experiments, maintaining the microcolonies in controlled chambers at 25 ± 2 ºC, 60 ± 10 % RH and complete darkness, except during maintenance and observations. In each experiment, four parameters were measured during the 42 day test: 1) cumulative sucrose solution uptake (from Day 0-42) expressed as g/microcolony, 2) cumulative pollen provisions uptake (from Day 10-42) expressed as g/microcolony, 3) worker bumble bee survival (number), and 4) drone production (number).