Bumble Bee Conservation Lab

Conservation breeding and release programs are a proven way to bring species, like the black-footed ferret and California condor, back from the brink of extinction.

However, similar programs for insects like bumble bees are rare.

Wildlife Preservation Canada is developing new techniques to breed at-risk bumble bee species, focusing on the yellow banded bumble bee.

With logistical support from the African Lion Safari, our shared goal is to breed and release bumble bees to save species from extinction. WPC’s Bumble Bee Conservation Lab is generously supported by The Rogers Foundation, K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation and the Takla Foundation.

The yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola) is Special Concern in Canada and has been declining mainly within the southern portion of its range, including Southern Ontario.

It is also closely related to other declining bumble bee species in Canada, including the rusty-patched bumble bee which hasn’t been found in Canada since 2009.

The work conducted within the Bumble Bee Conservation Lab is mainly focused on the recovery of the yellow-banded bumble bee, but this research will also help other declining bumble bee species.

The yellow-banded bumble bee distribution is shrinking

This map shows the range of yellow-banded bumble bee records from 1824-2008 in white dots. Compare that to the blue dots which are sightings since 2009. The range that this bumble bee species occupies is noticeably smaller.

Figure provided from: Yellow-banded bumble bee (Bombus terricola): management plan proposed 2022.

Conservation Using Model Species

WPC’s conservation breeding program uses a common, not-at-risk species, the brown-belted bumble bee to compare the breeding requirements of a species-at-risk to a common species and for related research.

How do we breed bumble bees?

These healthy colonies of yellow-banded (left) and brown-belted (right) bumble bees are our goal. But how do we get to this point?

Step 1: Survey across Ontario for bumble bees

WPC has multiple field crews across Ontario surveying bumble bees, and specifically looking for yellow-banded and brown-belted bumble bee queens throughout the spring.

Step 2: House these selected queens within our lab

We bring them back to our lab and house them in small plastic boxes with plenty of pollen and nectar. They are moved to larger boxes as the colonies grow!

The final step is the hardest.

Step 3: Keep them healthy so they can survive their whole life cycle.

Ideal Diet

Bumble bees require pollen and nectar to survive, but how exactly do we feed them? We get honey bee collected pollen from beekeepers and mix it together with a bit of nectar and make individual pollen balls to feed our bees so we know exactly how much they’re eating. We also make artificial nectar which is mainly just sugar water, but with some added supplements to increase their nutrition!

Below: Making pollen balls that are individually weighed, Below: Making nectar. Photos: Stacey Evans

We also have ongoing experiments on which pollen is best for their health and reproduction. Some pollens we have investigated are: red maple, willow, sumac and hawthorn.

Read our WPC Blog ‘A bumble bees journey’

Temperature/humidity control

Bumble bees breed best within a certain range of temperature and humidity. They like it pretty hot and humid – 20-25C and around 60% humidity.Bumble bees breed best within a certain range of temperature and humidity. They like it pretty hot and humid – 20-25C and around 60% humidity.

Tracking Health

We do checks on our bees every other day so we can keep track of how they’re doing and whether they seem healthy.

We also periodically fecal sample our bees for parasite prevalence and intensity

We want to know whether this changes over time with different diet
Want to separate healthy bees from sick bees

Microscopic view of a parasite found in a bumble bee feces sample (objects circled are Vairimorpha spp. spores).

Cleaning

In the wild Bumble bees have a much better opportunity to clean up after themselves as they can bring the “trash” outside, but in the lab they are in closed boxes so we have to do the trash clean up for them! This is extra important when trying to ensure we don’t spread parasites or pathogens from bee to bee in our lab.

Mating

In the wild new queens (gynes) and males would naturally meet up to mate but we have to pair them ourselves and try to observe whether they’ve mated! (Insert photo of tent set up). If you are at African Lion Safari from late August to early October you will see our mating tent set up near the lab!

Read the WPC Blog ‘Beyond workers: mating and overwintering bumble bees’

Overwintering

In the wild bumble bee queens overwinter underground for the whole winter, similar to bears! We try to simulate these conditions within a temperature and humidity controlled fridge set up. We check on our queens frequently to see if they’ve lost weight and are still alive. Just like bears, having fat is helpful to survive a long winter with no eating!

The Bumble team was featured on Leo’s Pollinators!

How can you help save bumble bees?

1. Bumble Bee Watch / Community Science

Take a photo on your phone and get involved with BumbleBeeWatch.org! This community science database is a free app and website that helps fill in gaps in survey coverage and is a vital tool in guiding our searches for at-risk species. Read the WPC Blog ‘ How to take the best bumble bee photos’

Join a Community Science Program:

Pinery Provincial Park (late June – September)

Two Bee Walks at Pinery this summer if you’re interested in getting involved with the program or just want to learn about bumble bees! Community science information.

Email for more information about the program and bee walks

2. Plant Flowers

Plant flowers that will bloom all year round to support the full bumble bee life cycle! Download the reference sheet ‘A flower patch for the rusty-patched’Ecoregional Planting Guides by Pollinator Partnership

3. Nesting/Overwintering

Be a messy gardener! Leave a small section of your yard with undisturbed soil, brush piles/logs, leaves, and long grass. Bumble bees love to live in underground burrows so if possible leave small rodent holes or burrows alone!

Nesting and Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators & other beneficial insects Xerces