INDIVIDUAL AND INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION IN METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN 5 SPECIES OF BUMBLEBEES (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE)

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn were measured in queens of four B ombus spp. and one Psityrus sp. collected in the same area. The degree to which their concentrations in the various species reflected metal pollution levels in the area was assessed. Concentrations were the low est for Cd, intermediate for Cu, and highest for Fe and Zn. No marked variation in concentrations of any of the metals was found among the B ombus spp. Fe concentrations in Psityrus sp. were significantly lower than those in Bombus. Concentrations ranges within species were higher for Cd than for the essential metals.