Male behavior of Bombus hortulanus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from the Andes

At present numerous hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of leks (areas grouping of males), some based on the advantages of this system of mating for females and males. The first group there is several scenarios that highlight that this system enables females choose the male of phenotypic quality as directly comparable. It has also been suggested that forcing the males gather in leks outside the breeding areas, they get to decrease the risk of predation. To determine the pattern of activity in these groups of males observations were made near to the Bombus hortulanus nest for one hour and for seven months (February to September in 2013), in Zipaquira, Colombia. A scheme of movement of the activity of the males was developed. Marked individuals to see if there were genuine individuals on the site, notes the behavior of males in relation to marking and advocacy site were made. This territory was maintained for more than seven months, long after the extraction of nest. With males marking the parts of individuals in the lek was detected. Each visit to the area, males comprised the lek were different but defended the same area, this means that males who make up the lek from different nests. We can summarize that this species does leks to increase the chances of intercourse and ensure offspring, because the colony cycle is short, between 3 and 6 months. We may also think that leks attract groups of males from different nests which would have the advantage of avoiding inbreeding.