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Bumblebees' Underwater Survival: Queens Can Live Submerged for a Week
Researchers have found that eastern bumblebee queens can survive underwater for at least a week. The bees can absorb oxygen and restrict their metabolism while submerged, an unusual capability for insects without gills.
A recent study reported in the journal *Proceedings of the Royal Society B* documents the unusual ability of the eastern bumblebee to survive for a week underwater. Typically, insects breathe through openings to the air and cannot live underwater. However, scientists have observed that eastern bumblebees in North America, specifically the queens, have a different adaptation. According to the study, the bees can endure being submerged for at least a week. The bees were found alive and well after emerging from the water.
Key Facts
- Eastern bumblebee queens in North America can survive underwater for at least one week.
- The bees absorb oxygen from the water and restrict their metabolism.
- Bees typically breathe through openings in their bodies and cannot live underwater.
- The finding was reported by University of Ottawa researchers.
- The research was published in *Proceedings of the Royal Society B*.