"I freaked out": Scientists Astonished to Learn That Bumblebees Can Live in Water

Post by : Kanchan Chandel

A groundbreaking study published in Paris reveals that bumblebees possess an unexpected ability to survive extended periods underwater. The findings, published on Wednesday, shed light on the potential resilience of these crucial pollinators in the face of climate change-induced floods that pose a threat to their habitats and survival.

Lead author Sabrina Rondeau, in an interview with AFP, expressed optimism about the survival prospects of bumblebees amidst the backdrop of declining global populations. Nigel Raine, co-author from the University of Guelph, emphasized the significance of this discovery, especially in the context of increasing flood occurrences due to global warming.

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Rondeau stumbled upon this phenomenon accidentally while investigating the impact of pesticide residues on queen bumblebees during winter hibernation. Upon finding water in the tubes housing some of the bees, she was surprised to witness their survival despite the submersion. Further experiments confirmed the bees' resilience, with a significant percentage surviving even after seven days underwater.

The study, detailed in the journal Biology Letters, involved subjecting hibernating queen bumblebees to varying durations of submersion. Astonishingly, 81 percent of the submerged bees not only survived but also thrived upon returning to dry conditions, remaining alive eight weeks later.

While the long-term implications of underwater survival on bee health and colony dynamics warrant further investigation, the initial findings offer a glimmer of hope. Rondeau speculates that the resilience observed in the common eastern bumblebees studied could contribute to their relatively stable populations compared to other bee species.

However, the study's applicability to other bee species remains uncertain and requires replication. Nonetheless, the revelation that flooding may not pose a significant threat to bumblebee populations is a reassuring prospect for conservation efforts.

As climate change continues to reshape ecosystems, understanding the adaptive capabilities of vital species like bumblebees becomes increasingly critical in ensuring their survival and maintaining ecological balance.

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