Native bees, one of the important pollinators on Earth, are experiencing a global decline in population due to rising temperatures.
According to the Guardian, native bee colonies are known for their temperature regulation abilities. When it gets hot, worker bees gather and flap their wings to create airflow that cools the hive.
A native bee collecting pollen from a flower near Pattensen, northern Germany – (Photo: AFP).
However, the climate crisis has raised average temperatures and caused heatwaves that affect the hives of native bee colonies.
A study published in the journal Frontiers in Bee Science concluded that most young native bees will not survive at temperatures above 36 degrees Celsius.
The research team reviewed data over 180 years and found that all studied native bee species have an optimal temperature range for incubating eggs between 28 – 32 degrees Celsius. If a colony cannot maintain hive temperatures below 35 degrees Celsius, the young bees may die.
“This explains why we are losing many native bees around the world, particularly in North America and Europe,” said Peter Kevan, the lead author of the study and a professor at the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph (Canada).
Dave Goulson, a biology professor at the University of Sussex (UK), who has studied native bees for 30 years and is not involved in the research, noted that most insect species thrive in tropical regions, but native bees are found in locations such as the Alps, England, and even the Arctic. This clearly indicates that climate change, especially global warming, can easily affect them.
According to him, concerns about the population of native bees have doubled due to the current rising temperatures.
Native bees are one of the important pollinators for wildflowers and crops, including tomatoes, beans, apples, blueberries, blackcurrants, and raspberries. To prevent declines in native bee populations, scientists suggest increasing habitats, reducing pesticide use, and ensuring that temperature increases do not exceed the 2 degrees Celsius threshold.
