Tongue microstructure physically constrains division of labor in bumblebee foraging

Zexiang Huang; Shumeng Wu; Qinglin Wu; Tianyu Mai; Jieliang Zhao; Bo Wang; Jianing Wu

doi:10.1073/pnas.2527391123

Tongue microstructure physically constrains division of labor in bumblebee foraging

Zexiang Huang
, Shumeng Wu
, Qinglin Wu
, Tianyu Mai
, Jieliang Zhao^*
, Bo Wang^*
, Jianing Wu^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a primitively eusocial species that sustains its colonies by dividing foraging duties between queens and workers. Previous research emphasizes hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral contrasts between the castes but seldom considers why queens relinquish foraging once workers emerge. Here, we link foraging efficiency to tongue microstructure, providing physical evidence for the shift in bumblebee foraging behavior.

Original language	English
Article number	e2527391123
Journal	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume	123
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2527391123
Publication status	Published - Jan 2026
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

allometry
bumblebee
division of labor
liquid entrainment
nectar feeding

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10.1073/pnas.2527391123

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abstract = "Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a primitively eusocial species that sustains its colonies by dividing foraging duties between queens and workers. Previous research emphasizes hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral contrasts between the castes but seldom considers why queens relinquish foraging once workers emerge. Here, we link foraging efficiency to tongue microstructure, providing physical evidence for the shift in bumblebee foraging behavior.",

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author = "Zexiang Huang and Shumeng Wu and Qinglin Wu and Tianyu Mai and Jieliang Zhao and Bo Wang and Jianing Wu",

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AU - Wu, Qinglin

AU - Mai, Tianyu

AU - Zhao, Jieliang

AU - Wang, Bo

AU - Wu, Jianing

PY - 2026/1

Y1 - 2026/1

N2 - Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a primitively eusocial species that sustains its colonies by dividing foraging duties between queens and workers. Previous research emphasizes hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral contrasts between the castes but seldom considers why queens relinquish foraging once workers emerge. Here, we link foraging efficiency to tongue microstructure, providing physical evidence for the shift in bumblebee foraging behavior.

AB - Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a primitively eusocial species that sustains its colonies by dividing foraging duties between queens and workers. Previous research emphasizes hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral contrasts between the castes but seldom considers why queens relinquish foraging once workers emerge. Here, we link foraging efficiency to tongue microstructure, providing physical evidence for the shift in bumblebee foraging behavior.

KW - allometry

KW - bumblebee

KW - division of labor

KW - liquid entrainment

KW - nectar feeding

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DO - 10.1073/pnas.2527391123

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AN - SCOPUS:105027191192

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IS - 3

M1 - e2527391123

ER -

Tongue microstructure physically constrains division of labor in bumblebee foraging

Abstract

Keywords

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