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Journal of Experimental Biology 116,271-289 (1985)
Published by Company of Biologists 1985

Flight Energetics of Euglossine Bees in Relation to Morphology and Wing Stroke Frequency

TIMOTHY M. CASEY ¹, MICHAEL L. MAY ¹, and KENNETH R. MORGAN ²

¹ Department of Entomology and Economic Zoology, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903, U.S.A.
² Department of Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, U.S.A.

Mass-specific oxygen consumption of euglossine bees during free hove ringflight is inversely related to body mass, varying from 66 mlO₂ g^-1 h^-1 in a 1.0 -g bee to 154 mlO₂ g^-1 h^-1 in a 0.10 -g bee. Individuals of Eulaema and Eufreisea spp. have smaller wings and higher wing stroke frequency and energy metabolism at any given mass than bees of Euglossa spp. or Exaeretefrontalis. Calculated aero dynamic power requirements represent only a small fraction of the energy metabolism, and apparent flight efficiency aero dynamic power ( = induced + profile power)/power input decreases as sizedeclines. If efficiency of flight muscle = 0.2, the mechanical power output of hovering bees varies inversely with body mass from about 480 to 1130 W kg^-1 of muscle. These values are 1.9 to 4.5 times greater than previous predictions of maximum mechanical power output (Weis-Fogh & Alexander, 1977; see also Ellington, 1984c). Mass-specific energy expenditure per wing stroke is independent of body mass and essentially the same for all euglossines. Differences in energy metabolism among bees having similar body mass isprimarily related to differences in wing stroke frequency. Scaling of energy metabolism in relation to mass is generally similar to the relationship for sphingid moths despite the fact that bees have asynchronous flight musclewhereas moths have synchronous muscle.

Key words: Energetics, hovering, flight

Accepted on September 10, 1985

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