Using radio telemetry to study bumble bee (Bombus spp.) nesting habitat

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are vital pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health, yet their nesting habits are challenging to study due to their cryptic nature. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of radio telemetry with bumble bees through flight trials. We conducted experiments to determine the optimal body size of bumble bees that can effectively carry radio tags for tracking purposes. Preliminary results from these trials suggest that certain bee weight thresholds must be met for bees to be suitable for tag deployment, which has implications for the design and application of telemetry methods for studying bumbles bees given the current technology. In addition to presenting these findings, we will discuss the potential of radio telemetry for future bumble bee research, particularly for locating nests and understanding bee habitat preferences and resource usage. Our work provides insights into the practical challenges of using telemetry in insect studies and proposes next steps for developing robust methodologies to enhance bumble bee conservation and ecological research.