Energetics of free- and tethered-flight in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris, Linnaeus 1758)

These data relate to an investigation into energetics of bumblebee flight at a range of flight speeds during free- or tethered-flight. The study was carried out in a closed-circuit wind tunnel. The data are gross metabolic rate (rate of carbon dioxide production) under 3 conditions - free-flight, tethered flight and free-flight following exposure to isoflurane. The rate of carbon dioxide production followed a U-shaped relationship with airspeed. There was no difference in the shape-of the power-speed relationship during tethered and free-flight but metabolic rate during tethered-flight was 45% lower than during free-flight. Anaesthesia using isoflurane had no effect on subsequent free-flight metabolic rate.