Locating nests of endangered bumble bees – experimental setup

We have tested and optimized various methods for searching for nests and tracking endangered bumblebee species back to their nests (using different markers and radio trackers) with Bombus muscorum. The studies were conducted from 2019 to 2024 at four locations in the Weser estuary (Wesermarsch and Cuxhaven districts) in northern Germany, where there are sufficiently large populations of B. muscorum. Occasionally, individuals of B. veteranus were also used for the experiments.