Honeybees are barging aside wild pollinators in hunt for pollen and nectar, study finds
Summary
A study found that honeybees in the UK are pushing away wild pollinators like bumblebees and hoverflies while collecting pollen and nectar. Honeybees act aggressively, often chasing other pollinators from flowers, which may increase competition for food as their numbers grow.Key Facts
- Honeybees outnumber wild pollinators in some areas, reducing the number of bumblebees, solitary bees, and hoverflies.
- Honeybees win most fights over flowers by bumping or chasing away other pollinators.
- The number of registered beekeepers in the UK rose from 19,000 in 2010 to 47,000 in 2025.
- Honeybees’ direct competition with wild pollinators is called “interference competition,” where they physically remove rivals.
- Bumblebees sometimes displace others but usually by accident, not aggression.
- Ivy bees are the only pollinators seen competing successfully against honeybees.
- More heat leads to more competition because flowers produce less nectar when stressed by higher temperatures.
- UK summer temperatures could rise by up to 4°C by 2080, increasing competition among pollinators.
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