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The Role of Pathogens in Bumblebee Decline: A Review
Huanhuan Chen1,2,3, Nawaz Haider Bashir1, Qiang Li1,2
1College of Biological Resource and Food Engineering, Qujing Normal University, Qujing 655011, China.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 25, 2025
Summary
Pathogens and parasites are the primary drivers of global bumblebee decline, threatening vital pollination services. Understanding these threats is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies to protect bumblebee populations and ensure ecosystem health.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Entomology
Background:
- Bumblebees are essential wild pollinators for agriculture and natural ecosystems.
- Global bumblebee populations are declining, posing risks to biodiversity and food security.
- While multiple factors contribute to decline, pathogens and parasites are increasingly recognized as dominant threats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the role of pathogens and parasites in bumblebee decline.
- To investigate the prevalence of specific pathogens and parasites in bumblebee populations.
- To examine the synergistic effects of pathogens with other stressors like pesticides and climate change.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review on bumblebee pathogens and parasites.
- Analysis of existing data on pathogen/parasite prevalence in bumblebee populations.
- Synthesis of research on combined impacts of pathogens and environmental stressors.
Main Results:
- Pathogens and parasites play a significant, often underestimated, role in bumblebee population declines.
- Specific pathogens and parasites exhibit varying prevalence across different bumblebee species and regions.
- Synergistic interactions between pathogens and stressors like pesticides can accelerate bumblebee decline.
Conclusions:
- Pathogens and parasites are critical factors driving bumblebee loss.
- Effective conservation requires integrated strategies addressing both pathogen control and other environmental stressors.
- Urgent management strategies are needed to protect bumblebee pollination services for ecosystem and agricultural sustainability.
