Fly Pollinators at Risk from Higher Temperatures

Penn State University published a study in the Journal of Melittology that explored the heat tolerance for a variety of species of bees and flies in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The research team notes that flies play an important, and often unrecognized, role as pollinators, second only to bees. They are the primary pollinator for cocoa trees, as well as many plants that support healthy wild ecosystems, particularly in alpine and sub-arctic regions. This research revealed that rising temperatures globally appear to pose an even greater threat to flies than they do to bees. Field sampling revealed that bees can tolerate higher temperatures than flies and have a wider habitat range. The study also showed that insects in cooler, high-altitude environments may be vulnerable to even small temperature increases.