Bumblebees can overheat and die while flying in heatwaves
Adapted for cool climates with thick fur and powerful muscles, these pollinators can literally cook from the inside out when air temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius.
Bumblebees are evolutionary masterpieces of cold weather engineering. Their round, furry bodies are designed to trap heat, and their massive flight muscles act as internal heaters that allow them to fly in temperatures that would ground other insects. However, this biological insulation becomes a liability during extreme heat. Because their muscles generate immense heat during flight, the bees struggle to shed that energy when the surrounding air is too warm.
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