The latest findings from BeeWalk, the national bumblebee monitoring scheme run by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, have revealed that 2024 was the worst year for bumblebees since records began. Across Great Britain, bumblebee numbers declined by almost a quarter (22.5%) compared to the 2010-2023 average.
The 24 species of bumblebee are iconic British insects which also play a vital role in pollinating crops and wildflowers, making their decline a major ecological concern. Expanding conservation efforts, a greater emphasis on habitat restoration, and continued monitoring are all key to safeguarding their future.
The immediate cause of the 2024 declines is likely to have been the cold and wet conditions from late April through June. The poor spring and early summer weather severely impacted many species in their most vulnerable period, the colony establishment stage, where queen bumblebees function as single mothers and must feed themselves and their growing larvae while also incubating the nest.
Species that typically reach their maximum abundance – the total number of individuals of a species present in a given area – in June or July suffered dramatically. Observations of common species White-tailed (Bombus lucorum s.l.) and Red-tailed (Bombus lapidarius) bumblebees fell by 60% and 74%, respectively, declining in England, Scotland, and Wales. Other species affected include:
As weather conditions improved in July and August, bumblebees were able to stage a partial recovery but 2024 still had the second-worst July and August counts on record.
View the latest BeeWalk report.
Read the latest CJS featured article from BBCT regarding the national bumblebee monitoring scheme here: https://c-js.uk/3Ey8VFU
Posted On: 27/02/2025
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