Specieswatch: How heatwaves play havoc with bees’ fertility

Study reveals extreme heat causes sharp drop with knock-on effect for pollination of food crops in following years

We know heatwaves have serious health consequences for humans, but what about other species? A study has shown they severely diminish bees’ fertility, with significant implications for the pollination of food crops in the following years.

Prof James Gilbert of the University of Hull his and colleagues simulated a three-day UK heatwave in the lab and measured its effect on solitary red mason bees, compared with those kept under control conditions of an ordinary summer.