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Mechanisms Of Thermal Balance In Flying Centris Pallida (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae), Stephen P. Roberts, Jon F. Harrison, Neil F. Hadley

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Thermoregulation of the Thorax is Critical for Bees and Other Endothermic Insects to Achieve High Rates of Flight Muscle Power Production. However, the Mechanisms Allowing Insects to Regulate Thorax Temperatures during Flight Are Not Well Understood. to Test Whether Variations in Metabolic Heat Production, Evaporation or Heat Transfer from the Thorax to the Abdomen Contribute to the Maintenance of Stable Body Temperatures during Flight in the Bee Centris Pallida, We Measured CO2 Production, Water Vapor Loss, Wingbeat Frequency and Body Segment Temperatures during Flight at Varying Air Temperatures (T(A)). While Hovering in the Field and While Flying in the Respirometer, …