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Heatwaves Devastate Bees: One-Third Lost Since 2022
23 Jul
Summary
- Bee numbers in Britain have dropped by over a third since 2022.
- Rising temperatures are forcing bees to struggle to find food.
- Planting blue flowers can help bees with short tongues survive.
Recent data reveals a stark decline in Britain's bee population, with numbers falling by over a third since 2022. This significant reduction is attributed to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust reported that common bee species have decreased by 35% in the last four years. Bees struggle in hot weather because their bodies are adapted to retain heat, and their flight muscles generate additional warmth.
This makes foraging difficult when temperatures regularly exceed 30C, as they have in recent summers. Consequently, many bees perish while searching for sustenance.
In response, groups like Friends of Buxton Station are encouraging residents to plant specific types of flowers. They recommend smaller, blue-flowered plants that are accessible to bees with short tongues, providing them with essential refueling opportunities.
