Rising temperatures are cooking bumblebee nests and killing larvae

[Pelican Press 0]

Rising temperatures are cooking bumblebee nests and ******** larvae

Species like the buff-tailed bumblebee are feeling the heat

FLPA/Alamy

Rising global temperatures may be making bumblebee nests too hot for them to survive.

The global bumblebee population has declined since the 1950s, sparking speculation on the causes – researchers have suggested everything from pesticides to habitat loss. Because bumblebees are vulnerable to temperature swings, some have proposed another culprit: climate change.

Researchers from the University of Guelph in Canada reviewed studies dating back to the 1800s and found that, regardless of species or region, bumblebees prefer a nest temperature between around 28 and 32°C (82-90°F). When nest temperatures surpassed 36°C (97°F), the bees couldn’t continue reproducing, adding new evidence to the idea that increased heat could be partly to blame. Because the larvae – young bees that resemble worms – are more sensitive to heat than adults, one brutal heatwave could ***** a nest’s next generation.

“It’s remarkable that all the way from the high Arctic to the tropics, bumblebees seem to have the same sort of nest temperature requirements,” says

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at the University of Guelph. “If it gets too hot… it’s quite likely that they will ****.”

Bumblebees protect growing larvae by fanning their nest with their beating wings. But this defence may not be enough to compensate for worsening climate change. High-tech innovations like a robotic

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could offer some insurance for commercial honeybee operations, says Kevan, but aren’t a practical solution for roaming wild bees.

It is still crucial to consider other bumblebee threats, like pesticides and habitat loss. Efforts like planting native wildflower gardens can create much-needed habitat, but without also addressing warming, says Kevan, bumblebees may face a harrowing future.

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climate change,insects,bees
#Rising #temperatures #cooking #bumblebee #nests #******** #larvae

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