Climate change is increasing both global average temperatures and the frequency of extreme climate events. We are investigating the impact of a changing climate on pollinators, and their pollination services, using bumblebees as a model system. Incorporating a range of experimental techniques, we are quantifying the impact of temperature, and specifically extreme weather events on bumblebee behaviour, ecology and conservation. The ultimate goal is to understand how climate change will influence pollinators, and their host plants, and provide information on how policy makers can mitigate, and limit climate impacts.

Rising pest resistance, and legislative restrictions on neonicotinoids, has increased the demand for novel insecticides. We are investigating whether these ‘replacement’ insecticides pose a similar risk to pollinators to those observed with neonicotinoids. The groups research has demonstrated that the novel insecticide sulfoxaflor can negatively impact bumblebee worker production, reproductive output, egg laying and, larval growth. More recently, we found that the novel insecticide flupyradifurone can impair bumblebee memory and sucrose sensitivity. More alarmingly, we found that a commercial formula containing flupyradifurone had a lethal impact on solitary bees at label rates. More broadly, both pesticides can have negative impacts on beneficial insects, suggesting they pose a risk to sustainable food production.

We are living in the age of the Anthropocene with unprecedented levels of biodiversity loss as a consequence of human induced environmental change. The drivers of these declines are multifaceted, but factors such as habitat loss and climate change have clear negative impacts on biodiversity. While these stressors are typically studied individually, animals are often exposed to multiple stressors simultaneously. In these cases, there may be synergistic interactions between stressors, where the resulting effect is greater than the combined impact of individual stressors. We are using a combination of field, semi-field and laboratory assessments to determine how anthropogenic stressors such as pesticides and climate change interact in relation to wild bee health.

Global declines in wild pollinators, and localised honeybee colony collapses, have resulted in a plethora of research investigating the impact of anthropogenic stressors on bees, and other pollinators. Drawing conclusions from this research is difficult as individual studies vary in their methodologies, sample size and outcomes. In response to this, we are using meta-analysis to combine this information and produce robust conclusions on how anthropogenic factors, such as pesticides, influence pollinators. This information is essential for policy makers, conservationists, and regulators alike, and has already been cited by law makers.

A foraging bee has a lot to learn.  Even deciding which flowers to visit can involve complex decision making. Where have flowers been found in the past? What colour, shape, and odour were they? Do con-specifics indicate new foraging opportunities? Or depleted resources? Animal cognition is the basis of all the above behaviour. If anthropogenic factors impact bee cognition, bee foraging efficiency and navigation will also be impaired. Our research has investigated how anthropogenic stressors such as climate change, and insecticides (including neonicotinoids, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone) influence pollinator cognition and foraging behaviour.