Did you know that queen bumblebees have a surprising ability to survive underwater for extended periods? Recent research has shed light on this remarkable adaptation, offering hope amidst concerns about declining bee populations due to climate change.
Published recently, the study unveils how queen bumblebees could potentially withstand the increased flooding resulting from climate change, which poses a threat to their winter shelters underground.
This discovery comes as a beacon of optimism in the face of global bee population decline. Sabrina Rondeau, the lead author of the study, finds this newfound resilience encouraging.
Climate change-induced floods are becoming more frequent and severe worldwide, presenting a significant challenge for soil-dwelling species, particularly bees that nest or hibernate underground, as noted by co-author Nigel Raine from the University of Guelph.
Rondeau stumbled upon this unique adaptation while investigating the impact of pesticide residues on queen bumblebees hibernating underground. Accidental water exposure revealed their surprising survival ability.
To delve deeper into this phenomenon, Rondeau conducted further experiments. She placed 143 hibernating queen bumblebees in tubes, subjecting some to no water, some floating in water, and some fully submerged for durations ranging from eight hours to seven days.
The results were astonishing. A remarkable 81 percent of queen bumblebees submerged for up to seven days not only survived but also remained alive even eight weeks later when returned to dry conditions. However, the long-term effects on their health and potential impacts on colony dynamics warrant further investigation.
The study focused on common eastern bumblebees, native to North America, renowned for their resilience. Rondeau speculates that this ability to withstand flooding could contribute to their comparative success compared to other bee species.
While the prevalence of this trait among other bumblebee species requires further exploration, it offers reassurance that flooding may not pose an insurmountable threat to these crucial pollinators.
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