– Researchers were surprised to discover that queen bumblebees can survive being underwater for days during their winter hibernation period.
– In an experiment, 81% of queen bumblebees submerged underwater for up to 7 days survived when returned to dry conditions. They remained alive for 8 weeks later.
– This ability suggests bumblebees may be able to withstand increased flooding brought by climate change that threatens their underground winter burrows.
– The lead researcher accidentally discovered the trait when some queen bees she was studying got submerged in water. They surprisingly survived.
– More research is needed to understand the long term health impacts and effects on colonies. Only eastern bumblebee queens, a hardy species, have been tested so far.
– The finding that bumblebees can withstand flooding is encouraging for their survival amid worrying population declines of pollinators globally. It shows flooding may not be a major new threat.
Source: afp
