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Honey Bees Wage War on UK Pollinators
5 Nov
Summary
- Honey bees aggressively displace other pollinators from flowers.
- Research observed two years of pollinator interactions in England.
- Climate change may worsen competition between pollinators.
New research published in Ecological Entomology details how honey bees are aggressively outcompeting other pollinators in the UK. For two years, scientists observed interactions at five sites near Cambridge, England, focusing on bramble and ivy flowers.
Honey bees were found to frequently chase and intimidate rival insects, securing feeding opportunities. This displacement led to a reduction in the abundance of bumblebees, solitary bees, and hoverflies, particularly in areas with higher honey bee density. Warmer conditions were linked to more frequent competitive encounters.
Managed honey bee colonies have increased significantly in the UK. Researchers caution that climate change could further intensify competition, posing a threat to wild pollinator populations. The study provides the first detailed evidence of this widespread interference with other species' access to food.
