Research on Wild Bees: From Pollen to a Sensational Discovery

Description

What flowers do wild bees pollinate? And what do these visits reveal about their way of life? At the Binn Valley Nature Park, a new method has been tested to study these relationships more precisely. For this, wild bees were observed at three different altitudes. This allows for comparing which species are present where and how they exploit the floral resources of their environment. Tiny traces of pollen on the bees' bodies indicate which plants they have visited before. To detect these traces, a rather unusual approach was used: a reused Covid-19 test kit. But the fieldwork held a completely different surprise. During the surveys, an extremely rare wasp bee was rediscovered, considered extinct in Switzerland for years. A discovery that raises new questions and offers a fascinating insight into the biology of this little-known species. This event takes you on an exciting quest between pollen, modern field research, and unexpected rediscovery – and shows why, in the world of wild bees, many mysteries remain unsolved and what importance such a discovery holds for a regional natural park.

Highlights

• Discovery of a wild bee considered extinct
• Study of the relationships between bees and flowers
• Use of an innovative research method

General Information

This event takes place at the Binn Valley Nature Park and presents research on wild bees. Participants will discover how modern methods have led to the rediscovery of a rare species and explore the interactions between bees and flowers.

Location

Dorfstrasse 31, 3996 Binn, Switzerland

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