Heavy traffic can turn flower-rich verges into bumblebee traps, study finds
A study from Lund University reveals that flower-rich roadside verges can act as death traps for bumblebees if traffic volume is high. Researchers found that mortality rates increase significantly on roads with as few as 4,000 vehicles per day.
Why it matters
It challenges the assumption that all roadside conservation efforts are beneficial, suggesting that location is critical for insect survival.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Add as preferred source The research study investigated the value of flower-rich roadside verges for bumblebees. Credit: Kennet Ruona Flower-rich road verges may attract hungry bumblebees, but at the same time, they can be dangerous for the buzzing insects—if traffic is too heavy. The new research from Lund University in Sweden examined the role roadsides play for bumblebees. The results show that road verges can be a dangerous environment for insects searching for food. The team used specially trained dogs that had learned to sniff out bumblebee nests to assist them. The survey covered 60 road verges in southern Sweden and compared the number of dead and living bumblebees along roads with varying traffic intensities.
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