Can bumblebee queens survive underwater? This research reveals the surprising resilience of diapausing bumblebee queens to flooding, a critical factor in their overwintering success. The study explores the physiological adaptations of *Bombus impatiens* queens, demonstrating their ability to endure complete submersion for up to a week. Using a controlled experiment, researchers subjected bumblebee queens to varying durations of underwater conditions, mimicking natural flooding events. Results showed remarkably high survival rates across all treatments, indicating a significant adaptation to withstand inundation. The findings challenge previous assumptions about the vulnerability of these crucial pollinators during their dormant phase. The paper's insights have important implications for understanding the ecological resilience of bumblebee populations facing increasing environmental challenges such as climate change and habitat loss. By highlighting the queens' ability to survive flooding, the research suggests a potential buffer against population decline and opens new avenues for conservation strategies focused on protecting overwintering habitats. This adaptation could play a vital role in ensuring the continued pollination services these insects provide to ecosystems and agriculture.
Published in Biology Letters, this study aligns with the journal's focus on concise, high-impact research in biology, particularly in ecology and evolution. By demonstrating the resilience of bumblebee queens to flooding, the paper contributes to the understanding of insect adaptations to environmental stressors and their implications for species survival, fitting within the journal's scope.