Discover the Buzz: Over 5 Million Bees Uncovered in NY Cemetery—One of the Largest Colonies Ever!

A quiet cemetery in Ithaca, New York, is alive with buzzing. Researchers from Cornell University recently discovered an astonishing 5.5 to 5.6 million ground-nesting bees beneath East Lawn Cemetery. This makes it one of the largest known bee aggregations in the world.

The bees belong to the species Andrena regularis, or the regular mining bee. Unlike honeybees that form large hives, these bees nest in the ground independently. In fact, around 70% of bee species in the U.S. live underground, working solo.

The exciting find began in 2022 when a Cornell technician observed lots of bees while strolling in the cemetery. Intrigued, he collected samples, which led to a deeper investigation by entomologist Bryan Danforth and his team. In spring 2023, researchers set up small traps to catch bees as they emerged from their nests. They calculated that there are approximately 5.5 million bees across around 6,500 square meters.

Even with such a large number, these bees don’t operate as a single colony. Each female bee digs her own nest, laying eggs in separate chambers filled with pollen and nectar. They spend the winter underground and emerge in early spring, right when plants like apple trees bloom.

Danforth was thrilled by the discovery. He stated in Scientific American, “I have seen published estimates of bee aggregations in the hundreds of thousands. But I never really imagined that it would be 5.56 million bees.”

Historically, bee populations have faced various challenges, including habitat loss and pesticide use. This cemetery’s natural conditions contribute significantly to the bee population. The soil is undisturbed, pesticide use is minimal, and the nearby Cornell Orchards provide plenty of food.

Interestingly, this isn’t the only impressive bee finding. A past study in Arizona reported about 1.6 million bees emerging from a much smaller area. Similarly, a 2024 study found around 651,440 bees in a suburban lawn in New York. Brazil has its own unique population, with a smaller gathering of about 13,500 bees documented in a 2020 study.

Danforth highlights the importance of solitary bees, noting they are often overlooked despite their crucial role in the ecosystem. “They do so much, and they’re kind of under the radar,” he remarked. These fascinating creatures play a vital role in pollination, making them essential to our environment.

In summary, East Lawn Cemetery is not just a resting place for people; it’s a thriving habitat for millions of bees. This discovery underlines the significance of preserving such spaces for wildlife.

For more on this topic, visit Cornell Chronicle or read about similar studies in Scientific American.

Source link