Scientists have uncovered a surprising survival skill in bumblebee queens: they can survive underwater for up to a week and even breathe while submerged.
The discovery began by accident. While studying the effects of pesticides on common eastern bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) during diapause, conservation biologist Sabrina Rondeau saw that some of the soil-filled tubes where she was keeping bumblebee queens had flooded due to condensation. She expected the queens to be dead. Instead, they began moving soon after being taken out of the water. Curious, she ran more tests and found that about 90% of queens survived after days of submersion.
Bumblebees spend winter underground in a dormant state called diapause, similar to hibernation. During this time, they face real dangers. Melting snow and heavy rain can flood their nests, and scientists once believed this would be fatal to the bees, as they are terrestrial insects.
New research led by Charles Darveau explains how they survive. Experiments revealed that submerged queen bees lower oxygen levels in the surrounding water and release carbon dioxide ? clear evidence they were breathing underwater. In addition, because the queens’ metabolism slows to about 5% of normal during diapause, they need far less oxygen to stay alive.
The queen bees also use a backup plan: anaerobic metabolism, which allows cells to produce energy without oxygen. Higher lactate levels in submerged bees confirmed this process. Researchers theorize the bees may trap tiny air bubbles against their fuzzy bodies, like a built-in scuba system. Future research will test this idea. They are also asking bigger questions: Can other bees do this? And how much flooding can they survive?
These findings could change how we approach bee conservation, especially during the harsh winter months.
May For The Teen Times teen/1776653376/1613367687
1. How long can bumblebee queens stay alive while being submerged underwater?
2. What evidence proved that the submerged queen bees were still breathing?
3. Why do queen bees need much less oxygen during their diapause?
4. What type of metabolism allows cells to produce energy without oxygen?
1. How does understanding bee survival help us improve local conservation efforts?
2. Would you find it surprising to see land insects breathing underwater?
3. Should humans intervene more to protect bees during harsh winter floods?
4. Do you think other insects have hidden survival tricks like the bumblebee?
Scientists have uncovered a surprising survival skill in bumblebee queens: they can survive underwater for up to a week and even breathe while submerged.
