Recent research has uncovered a surprising survival skill in queen bumblebees: they can hibernate underwater for several days without drowning.
A Serendipitous Lab Discovery
Scientists at the University of Guelph made this discovery by accident. While studying the impact of pesticides on hibernating queens of the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens), ecologist Sabrina Rondeau noticed something unexpected. Water from condensation had accidentally flooded some of the bees’ storage tubes. To her surprise, many of these queens survived the submersion, which prompted researchers to investigate further.
Testing the Limits
To test this phenomenon, the research team placed 143 queen bumblebees into different groups. Some bees stayed dry (the control group), while others were submerged or floated in water for 8 hours, 24 hours, or 7 days. After removing the bees from water and placing them back in dry conditions, the team observed the results. About 81% of queens submerged for a full week survived—almost as many as the 88% survival rate in the control group.
Why They Survive
Queen bumblebees enter a hibernation phase called diapause, during which their metabolism slows dramatically. This state lowers their oxygen needs, allowing them to survive even in low-oxygen conditions like underwater environments.
A Climate Change Adaptation?
Because flooding events are becoming more common due to climate change, this ability could help certain bee species—especially Bombus impatiens—survive better than others. Researchers believe this resilience might be one reason the eastern bumblebee is not declining as rapidly as other species.
Looking Ahead
The research opens new questions: Do other species of queen bumblebees have the same ability? Does submersion affect their long-term health or reproductive success? Scientists hope to explore these areas next to inform better conservation strategies.
