Underground nests protect bees from extreme heat
While some bees burrow into the earth to stay cool, species that nest inside thin plant stems lack the insulation needed to survive rising temperatures.
Australia is home to approximately 1,700 native bee species, each utilizing distinct strategies to house their young. These insects generally fall into three nesting categories: those that burrow into the soil, those that occupy tree hollows, and those that nest inside the narrow stems of plants or small holes in twigs. Recent research across 95 of these species reveals that their choice of architecture determines their survival during heatwaves.
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