Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields reduce bumble bee visitation to flowers

Abstract

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) are an integral part of our daily lives and we may struggle to imagine life without them, using them to transmit and stream data for television, the internet, or cell phones. Debates circulate on whether this anthropogenic radiation may be an additional stress factor for pollinators, potentially disrupting important habitats and refugia, especially in highly developed areas. Could these anthropogenic fields interfere with foraging pollinators, influence their foraging behavior or reduce the attractiveness of entire habitats? Current data on sublethal impacts is sparse. We tested the effects of realistic 2.4 and 5.8 GHz radiation on flower visitation rates of different pollinators over two years in a blinded study using a standardized radiation source and a novel study design. Documenting 2882 pollinators, we found no effect of this radiation on honey bee visitation rates on Salvia and Lavandula plants. However, we found a significant reduction in the number of bumble bee visits per observation when the plants were subjected to RF-EMF exposure, highlighting the need for in-depth and long-term studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this effect.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Bumble bees; Electromagnetic radiation; Flower visitation; RF-EMF exposure; Wild bees.