Using radio frequency identification and locomotor activity monitoring to assess sleep, locomotor, and foraging rhythmicity in bumblebees

Bumblebees are a key pollinator. Understanding the factors that influence the timing of sleep and foraging trips is important for efficient foraging and pollination. Here, we illustrate how individual locomotor activity monitoring and colony wide radio frequency identification tracking can be combined to analyze the effects of agrochemicals like neonicotinoids on locomotor and foraging rhythmicity and sleep quantity/quality in bumblebees. We also highlight aspects of the design that can be adapted for other invertebrates or agrochemicals, allowing broader application of these techniques. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Tasman et al. (2020).

Automated summary

This study illustrates how individual locomotor activity monitoring and colony wide radio frequency identification tracking can be used to analyze the effects of agrochemicals like neonicotinoids on bumblebees. The design aspects highlighted in the study can be adapted for broader application with other invertebrates or agrochemicals. For more details, please refer to Tasman et al. (2020).