Bhubaneswar: Rising temperatures worldwide due to climate change are putting bumblebees, vital for global pollination, in jeopardy. Just like humans, bumblebees are feeling the impact of climate change. A recent study points to rising temperatures as a key reason for the drop in bumblebee populations globally.

The heat is affecting their ability to build suitable nests where young larvae can grow healthy. While it's been hard to pinpoint how exactly climate change is affecting these bees, a new study has delved into their capacity to rear healthy larvae, which suffers due to inadequate nests.

Dr. Peter Kevan from the University of Guelph, Canada, and lead author of the study, explained, “The limitations on bumblebee offspring survival suggest that heat is likely a major factor, with nest temperatures above about 35 degrees Celsius proving lethal, despite bumblebees' impressive ability to regulate their temperature."

Published in the journal Frontiers in Bee Science, the researchers suggest that adapting to higher temperatures might be challenging for bumblebees, as they may struggle to stay within their ideal temperature range — a point where maintaining the right temperature requires minimal energy.

“Very high temperatures are more harmful to most living things than cool temperatures. When it gets too hot, essential processes start breaking down, leading to rapid death,” added Kevan.

The study confirms that they can survive up to 36 degrees Celsius and thrive optimally around 30-32 degrees Celsius. However, this might vary depending on the bee species and local environmental conditions.

Bumblebee colonies function as a 'superorganism,' where reproductive success relies on the survival and reproduction of the whole colony rather than individual bees. While some bees may tolerate heat better than others, if the nest becomes too hot for rearing healthy larvae, the entire colony suffers, irrespective of individual adaptations.

Bumblebees play a crucial role as pollinators, contributing to 97% of wildflower pollination and sustaining natural ecosystems. Their pollination services are vital for maintaining ecosystem balance, supporting plant reproduction that provides food and shelter for various organisms. If their populations decline significantly, it could lead to devastating consequences for natural ecosystems.