A morning stroll through East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, recently uncovered an astonishing colony of around 5.5 million subterranean bees. This discovery, published by a Cornell University research team in Apidologie, marks one of the largest aggregations of these insects ever found. The bees belong to the species Andrena regularis, which plays a crucial role in pollinating local orchards. This find illustrates that even urban spaces, like historic cemeteries, can be vital havens for biodiversity.
How It All Began
The story kicks off in spring 2022. Rachel Fordyce, a lab technician at Cornell, noticed an unusual number of bees during her walk to work. Curious, she collected samples and shared them with Bryan Danforth, a Cornell entomologist. Upon examination, they confirmed these were Andrena regularis, also known as mining or miner bees. Unlike honey bees, which live in colonies, miner bees are solitary and burrow into the ground to nest. Historical records indicate these bees have been present in the cemetery, established in 1878, for over a century.
Counting the Colony
To estimate the size of the colony, scientists set up 10 traps in the cemetery from late March to mid-May 2023. These traps, which cover less than a square meter, caught insects emerging from the ground. More than 3,000 insects from 16 different species were collected, with a significant number being Andrena regularis. From the data, researchers projected a population of between 3 and 8 million, averaging 5.5 million—equivalent to about 200 domestic beehives.
This research shed light on the biology of these lesser-known bees. Notably, males emerge shortly before females, maximizing their chances of mating. Once the females dig nests, they lay eggs in pollen-filled cells. Uniquely, these bees survive winter underground, allowing them to start their activities in sync with the blossoming of nearby apple trees.
Importance of Protecting These Bees
The findings underscore the urgency to protect wild bee habitats, especially since 75% of bee species are solitary and nest underground. Old cemeteries offer ideal nesting conditions due to their sandy soil and the absence of harmful pesticides. Unfortunately, these habitats face threats from urban development and other changes.
To safeguard these vital pollinators, the study’s authors have initiated a global citizen science project. This initiative encourages people to report underground bee colonies to help monitor and protect them. Preservation of these environments is crucial as human activity continues to fragment their habitats.
Recent studies have shown alarming declines in bee populations, with some reports indicating a loss of nearly 30% in certain regions. The decline of pollinators like bees poses a threat not just to the insects themselves but to our food supply and ecosystem health.
Overall, this remarkable discovery shines a light on the often-overlooked importance of urban biodiversity and the need for proactive conservation measures.
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