Harriet Lambert
@hcslambert.bsky.social
Investigating plant-pollinator interactions
Evolution | Ecology | Bumblebees
Lecturer in #BehaviouralEcology at Wageningen University and Research
@hcs_lambert on Twitter
Evolution | Ecology | Bumblebees
Lecturer in #BehaviouralEcology at Wageningen University and Research
@hcs_lambert on Twitter
15/17 We show that #Bumblebees engage in a remarkable behaviour to accelerate flower production when pollen is urgently needed. This strategy may also help them adapt to the challenges of environmental change.
#PhenologicalMismatch
#PhenologicalMismatch
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
15/17 We show that #Bumblebees engage in a remarkable behaviour to accelerate flower production when pollen is urgently needed. This strategy may also help them adapt to the challenges of environmental change.
#PhenologicalMismatch
#PhenologicalMismatch
14/17 We observed wild workers from other bumble bee species damaging flowerless plant patches, demonstrating that this behaviour occurs in nature and isn’t limited to domesticated Bombus terrestris.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
14/17 We observed wild workers from other bumble bee species damaging flowerless plant patches, demonstrating that this behaviour occurs in nature and isn’t limited to domesticated Bombus terrestris.
13/17 But how would this work outside the lab?
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
![Fig. 4 Daily measurements of damage (total number of new leaf holes) by B. terrestris workers in two outdoor experiments.
(A) 2018 experiment with queenless microcolonies. In phase 1, only flowerless plants were present locally. In phase 2, 100 plants in flower were placed adjacent to the focal patch of flowerless plants. Colors indicate individual bee colonies. Damage by bees was significantly higher in phase 1 [generalized linear mixed model fit by maximum likelihood, term = phase, df = 1, F = 712.70, P < 0.001, Akaike information criterion (AIC) 1660.9]. Dots indicate days on which weather prevented data collection. The black line represents a 7-day centered moving average of new bee holes per day. Six flowerless plant species, 36 flowerless plants per bee colony, and five bee colonies (180 flowerless plants in total). (B) 2019 experiment with queenright colonies. Colonies in both treatments were placed adjacent to focal patches of flowerless plants. Colonies in the flowering treatment also had access to 30 plants in flower, placed adjacent to the focal patch, as well as a rooftop garden planted with wildflowers. On 2 days, indicated by triangles, all colonies were given access to sugar solution for 24 hours to mitigate effects of adverse weather conditions. Damage by bees was significantly higher in the flowerless treatment (GLM fit by maximum likelihood, term = treatment, df = 1, F = 5217.7, P < 0.001, AIC 2049.3). Damage levels on roof 2 increased significantly in the month after the wildflower garden was mown (df = 30, P ≤ 0.001, AIC 2960.4, GLM). Seven flowerless plant species, 600 flowerless plants per treatment, and eight bee colonies per treatment.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:etmgbynwifce3j4pr2awbduc/bafkreif7sgnb6l6syvcblxmt2lksonlpwgmdaol2diyzsi24pf2gl6y2oe@jpeg)
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
13/17 But how would this work outside the lab?
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
12/17 We assigned colonies either a “pollen satiated” or “pollen deprived” diet. Halfway through the experiment, we switched the diets to see the effect of pollen access on damaging.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
![Fig. 3 Leaf damage by pollen-satiated and pollen-deprived bumble bees.
(A) Experimental setup: Two colonies were used in parallel for each trial, one of which was initially “pollen satiated” (PS) and then switched to “pollen deprived” (PD), while the other experienced the same treatments in the reverse order. Asterisks indicate days (1 and 8) when hives were weighed and new diet treatments were implemented. Adjustment (“A”) periods (days 2 to 4 and days 9 to 11) allowed colonies to acclimate to treatments. (B) Bees from pollen-deprived colonies inflicted higher levels of damage on plant leaves [F value (F) = 258, df = 32, R2 = 0.8801, P < 0.001, GLM], regardless of the order of the treatment. Additionally, the observed effects did not differ significantly among colonies (F = 258, df = 32, P = 0.732, GLM). Boxes represent the first to third quartile of the interquartile range, horizontal lines within boxes are medians, and the whiskers are the minimum and maximum values. Six hives, three replicates, and 72 plants. ***P ≤ 0.001; ns, not significant.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:etmgbynwifce3j4pr2awbduc/bafkreiffiz2ncxqkayj4nkoeibcfv6ajjasum3pudvwemgncayv63gi6ru@jpeg)
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
12/17 We assigned colonies either a “pollen satiated” or “pollen deprived” diet. Halfway through the experiment, we switched the diets to see the effect of pollen access on damaging.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
11/17 We suspected this behaviour was related to a shortage of pollen inside the nest, the only source of protein for #bumblebees.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
11/17 We suspected this behaviour was related to a shortage of pollen inside the nest, the only source of protein for #bumblebees.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
10/17 Tomato plants came into flower a month sooner than would normally be expected 😮🐝🍅
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
10/17 Tomato plants came into flower a month sooner than would normally be expected 😮🐝🍅
9/17 To find out, we started tracking the effect of bee damage on flower emergence.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
9/17 To find out, we started tracking the effect of bee damage on flower emergence.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
8/17 Using their mouthparts and mandibles, workers consistently made holes in multiple plant species. Each hole took a few seconds, but bees didn’t seem to be collecting tissue or getting anything from the leaf.
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
8/17 Using their mouthparts and mandibles, workers consistently made holes in multiple plant species. Each hole took a few seconds, but bees didn’t seem to be collecting tissue or getting anything from the leaf.
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
7/17 We noticed bumble bees behaving very strangely in the lab. Foraging workers were deliberately making holes in the leaves of flowerless plants given to them.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
7/17 We noticed bumble bees behaving very strangely in the lab. Foraging workers were deliberately making holes in the leaves of flowerless plants given to them.
5/17 Climate change is also driving global bumble bee declines. Increasing weather events and extreme temperatures help push bees out of sync with flowers, which explains some of the dramatic losses. @tnewbold31.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
5/17 Climate change is also driving global bumble bee declines. Increasing weather events and extreme temperatures help push bees out of sync with flowers, which explains some of the dramatic losses. @tnewbold31.bsky.social
4/17 Coordinated timing or #phenology between bumble bees and flower emergence are tightly associated.
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
4/17 Coordinated timing or #phenology between bumble bees and flower emergence are tightly associated.
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
3/17 When the young queen emerges, she must rapidly establish a new nest. The failure rate of colonies is very high during early development, so having a succession of suitable flowers available is CRUCIAL.
See Bumblebees: their behaviour and ecology by
@davegoulson.bsky.social
See Bumblebees: their behaviour and ecology by
@davegoulson.bsky.social
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
3/17 When the young queen emerges, she must rapidly establish a new nest. The failure rate of colonies is very high during early development, so having a succession of suitable flowers available is CRUCIAL.
See Bumblebees: their behaviour and ecology by
@davegoulson.bsky.social
See Bumblebees: their behaviour and ecology by
@davegoulson.bsky.social
2/17 #Bumblebees are exceptional pollinators for many fruits and vegetables.
Unlike honey bees, bumble bee colonies are seasonal. In autumn, the colony dies off, leaving only the young, mated queens to hibernate. Come spring, these queens awaken to start new nests and the cycle begins anew.
Unlike honey bees, bumble bee colonies are seasonal. In autumn, the colony dies off, leaving only the young, mated queens to hibernate. Come spring, these queens awaken to start new nests and the cycle begins anew.
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
2/17 #Bumblebees are exceptional pollinators for many fruits and vegetables.
Unlike honey bees, bumble bee colonies are seasonal. In autumn, the colony dies off, leaving only the young, mated queens to hibernate. Come spring, these queens awaken to start new nests and the cycle begins anew.
Unlike honey bees, bumble bee colonies are seasonal. In autumn, the colony dies off, leaving only the young, mated queens to hibernate. Come spring, these queens awaken to start new nests and the cycle begins anew.
🌟 Throwback to my 2020 research published in @science.org 🌼🐝 We showed how bumble bees actively shape their environment—making plants flower earlier to meet their needs. Nature’s engineers in action! 🧪🌏
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
November 27, 2024 at 10:59 AM
🌟 Throwback to my 2020 research published in @science.org 🌼🐝 We showed how bumble bees actively shape their environment—making plants flower earlier to meet their needs. Nature’s engineers in action! 🧪🌏
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
Sharing this for anyone who missed it—let’s dive in! [1/17] 👇
15/17 We show that #Bumblebees engage in a remarkable behaviour to accelerate flower production when pollen is urgently needed. This strategy may also help them adapt to the challenges of environmental change.
#PhenologicalMismatch
#PhenologicalMismatch
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
15/17 We show that #Bumblebees engage in a remarkable behaviour to accelerate flower production when pollen is urgently needed. This strategy may also help them adapt to the challenges of environmental change.
#PhenologicalMismatch
#PhenologicalMismatch
14/17 We observed wild workers from other bumble bee species damaging flowerless plant patches, demonstrating that this behaviour occurs in nature and isn’t limited to domesticated Bombus terrestris.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
14/17 We observed wild workers from other bumble bee species damaging flowerless plant patches, demonstrating that this behaviour occurs in nature and isn’t limited to domesticated Bombus terrestris.
13/17 But how would this work outside the lab?
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
13/17 But how would this work outside the lab?
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
For two years, we repeated semi-natural experiments on roofs at @ethzurich.bsky.social. We found that bumble bee colonies always made more damage when flowers were limited.
12/17 We assigned colonies either a “pollen satiated” or “pollen deprived” diet. Halfway through the experiment, we switched the diets to see the effect of pollen access on damaging.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
12/17 We assigned colonies either a “pollen satiated” or “pollen deprived” diet. Halfway through the experiment, we switched the diets to see the effect of pollen access on damaging.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
Result? Hungry bees consistently made more damage.
11/17 We suspected this behaviour was related to a shortage of pollen inside the nest, the only source of protein for #bumblebees.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
11/17 We suspected this behaviour was related to a shortage of pollen inside the nest, the only source of protein for #bumblebees.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
We started devising experiments to test whether multiple colonies would damage leaves in predictable ways.
10/17 Tomato plants came into flower a month sooner than would normally be expected. 😮🐝🍅
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
10/17 Tomato plants came into flower a month sooner than would normally be expected. 😮🐝🍅
9/17 To find out, we started tracking the effect of bee damage on flower emergence.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
9/17 To find out, we started tracking the effect of bee damage on flower emergence.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
Even with a small number of holes, plants consistently flowered earlier compared to mechanical or undamaged controls.
8/17 Using their mouthparts and mandibles, workers consistently made holes in multiple plant species. Each hole took a few seconds, but bees didn’t seem to be collecting tissue or getting anything from the leaf.
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
8/17 Using their mouthparts and mandibles, workers consistently made holes in multiple plant species. Each hole took a few seconds, but bees didn’t seem to be collecting tissue or getting anything from the leaf.
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
Why were they doing this?
Photo credit: bit.ly/hannier_pulido
7/17 We noticed bumble bees behaving very strangely in the lab. Foraging workers were deliberately making holes in the leaves of flowerless plants given to them.
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
7/17 We noticed bumble bees behaving very strangely in the lab. Foraging workers were deliberately making holes in the leaves of flowerless plants given to them.
5/17 Climate change is also driving global bumble bee declines. Increasing weather events and extreme temperatures help push bees out of sync with flowers, which explains some of the dramatic losses.
@tnewbold31.bsky.social
@tnewbold31.bsky.social
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
5/17 Climate change is also driving global bumble bee declines. Increasing weather events and extreme temperatures help push bees out of sync with flowers, which explains some of the dramatic losses.
@tnewbold31.bsky.social
@tnewbold31.bsky.social
4/17 Coordinated timing or #phenology between bumble bees and flower emergence are tightly associated.
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
November 26, 2024 at 4:10 PM
4/17 Coordinated timing or #phenology between bumble bees and flower emergence are tightly associated.
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X
However, scientists observe increasing ‘hunger gaps’ owing to habitat modification and loss.
@TomTimberlake92 on X