Navarino Environmental Observatory

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.) are vital pollinators that contribute to biodiversity maintenance and crop productivity. Temperature affects bumblebee physiology and behavior and may consequently influence pollination efficiency. Flight performance is also influenced by ambient temperature, with extreme heat potentially limiting the ability of bumblebees to forage effectively. Elevated temperatures may negatively affect bumblebee behavior and sensory performance and could exacerbate existing challenges such as habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and competition with other pollinators, posing additional risks to bumblebee populations.

 

This project explores how temperature influences bumblebee foraging behavior, hive thermoregulation, and pollen collection under natural field conditions. Conducted at the Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO) in Kalamata, Greece, the study will investigate how bumblebee colonies adapt to daily temperature fluctuations and how these responses may affect their pollination performance.

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The project focuses on three key areas:

 

1. Foraging Activity and Temperature: Understanding how temperature fluctuations influence the frequency and duration of foraging trips, the time bees spend inside their hives, and their pollen-collecting behavior.

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2. Hive Thermoregulation and Bee Body Temperature: Exploring how ambient temperatures affect conditions inside the hive and the body temperature of bumblebees as they leave and return from foraging trips.

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3. Comparing Commercial Bumblebee Colonies: Investigating potential differences in temperature responses between colonies supplied by Biobest and Koppert, two major commercial bumblebee producers.

 

 

Climate change presents growing challenges for pollinators, with potential consequences for natural ecosystems and agricultural production. By examining how bumblebees respond to temperature changes in real-world conditions, this project aims to generate valuable insights into their resilience, behavior, and pollination activity.

 

The findings could support more effective management of commercially reared bumblebee colonies, improve our understanding of pollination under warmer conditions, and contribute to strategies that protect pollinators and the ecosystems and crops that depend on them.

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