Heat waves impair honeybee ability to detect floral scents
ECOLOGY
9/9/2024
A study from Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg has revealed the severe impact of heat waves on the olfactory abilities of honeybees, one of the most important pollinators on Earth. Published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences in August 2024, the research shows that male honeybee workers exposed to temperatures of 40°C lost up to 50% of their ability to detect floral scents, while female workers experienced an even more drastic reduction of up to 80%. Additionally, the study found that wild honeybees showed a more significant decline in their sense of smell compared to commercially bred bees. Even more concerning, after a recovery period, the bees still suffered from impaired olfactory function. These findings serve as a stark warning that heat waves driven by climate change may pose a much more serious threat to ecosystems and the sustainability of life on Earth than previously anticipated.
