How Honeybees Impact Wild Pollinators
Research from Anglia Ruskin University has revealed that honeybees aggressively displace wild pollinators from flowers, increasing competition for nectar and pollen. This effect is especially pronounced in urban areas where beehive densities are high. Climate warming and the growing number of managed honeybee colonies may further exacerbate this struggle for resources. The study was conducted over two years at five sites across Cambridge and its surroundings, examining interactions among pollinating insects on blackberry and ivy flowers.
The researchers recorded 93 hours of pollinator interactions, categorizing the insects into five groups:
- honeybees
- bumblebees
- solitary bees
- syrphid flies
- other insects including butterflies, beetles, and wasps
Findings indicated that when honeybee presence on blackberry flowers doubled, bumblebee numbers dropped by 14%. On ivy, increased honeybee activity was linked to declines in solitary bees and syrphid flies.
The study also found that other pollinators avoided honeybees in 28% of flower visits on blackberry and 36% on ivy. In 20% of encounters, honeybees physically pushed or chased away competitors. Notably, the ivy bee—a solitary species not native to the UK and first recorded there in 2001—sometimes displaced honeybees from feeding sites.
Climate Change Amplifies Pollinator Rivalries
Competitive interactions among pollinators were more frequent during warmer weather. Bumblebees and syrphid flies were sensitive to heat and foraged more efficiently in cooler conditions, whereas honeybees became more active as temperatures rose. The research demonstrated that a 12 °C increase in temperature led to a tenfold rise in honeybee emergence from hives.
Since 2010, the number of beekeepers in the UK has more than doubled, growing from 19,000 to 47,000 last year, reflecting a significant increase in managed honeybee colonies. Victoria Buckle, one of the study's authors, emphasized:
'Our goal isn’t to discourage beekeeping but to better understand the competition between wild and managed pollinators and explore ways for them to coexist.' Victoria Buckle
She also noted that honeybees were more likely to initiate and win conflicts, limiting other insects’ access to food. Continued warming in the UK may intensify these competitive pressures, especially in urban areas with dense beekeeping activity.
This research highlights the critical need to understand ecological interactions between wild and domesticated pollinators amid climate change. As the number of managed hives rises and competition for floral resources intensifies, finding a balance is essential to preserve biodiversity and maintain healthy ecosystems. Insights from studies like this can inform future strategies for managing pollinator populations sustainably.