Scientists uncover 5.5 million bees under New York cemetery

Researchers have found about 5.5 million mining bees living beneath a cemetery in Ithaca, New York. This important discovery shows that the bees have lived there for over a hundred years. The bees survive because the area has undisturbed soil and good conditions for nesting.

Mining bees are different from honeybees. Each female bee makes and cares for her own nest underground. Unlike honeybees, there is no queen or hive. Researchers think there may be as many as 8 million bees in total at the cemetery, making it one of the largest known groups of these bees.

The cemetery has been a safe home for these bees for many years. It has good soil and experiences little disturbance. This shows how important it is to protect quiet places for bees and other wildlife.

The bees also help pollinate nearby orchards, including apple trees. However, many ground-nesting bees are losing their homes due to urban development and pesticides. Scientists want to learn more about these bees to help protect them. The discovery highlights the need to look after these natural habitats.

How much do you know?

Where were the mining bees discovered?

Ithaca, New York

Los Angeles, California

Toronto, Canada

London, England

How many mining bees are researchers estimating to potentially live at the cemetery?

5 million

8 million

10 million

3 million

What type of bees are mining bees different from?

Bumblebees

Honeybees

Carpenter bees

Sweat bees

What is essential for the survival of mining bees according to the researchers?

Urban development

Good conditions for nesting

Seasonal flowers

High temperatures

What do mining bees help pollinate?

Vegetable gardens

Nearby orchards

Flower beds

Lawns

Why are many ground-nesting bees losing their homes?

Habitat protection

Urban development and pesticides

Natural disasters

Competition with other species

Mining bees live in hives like honeybees.

True False

The cemetery has experienced a lot of disturbance.

True False

Mining bees can help pollinate apple trees.

True False

There are about 5.5 million mining bees living under the cemetery.

True False

The discovery of mining bees emphasizes the need to protect urban areas.

True False

Each female mining bee makes her own nest underground.

True False

Researchers have found about 5.5 million mining bees living beneath a cemetery in Ithaca, New York. This important discovery shows that the bees have lived there for over a hundred years. The bees survive because the area has undisturbed soil and good conditions for .

Each female bee makes and cares for her own nest .

Unlike honeybees, there is no queen or .

The cemetery has been a safe home for these bees for many .

Scientists want to learn more about these bees to help them.

The discovery highlights the need to look after these natural .

This question is required