Some bumblebees can survive underwater for up to a week, new study shows

An experimental error led a team of scientists researching bumblebees to make a startling discovery: the insects’ remarkable ability to survive underwater for up to a week.

An experimental error led a team of scientists researching bumblebees to make a startling discovery: the insects’ remarkable ability to survive underwater for up to a week. A study published in the journal Biology Letters on Wednesday described how scientists from Canada’s University of Guelph accidentally submerged hibernating queen common eastern bumblebees in water, and were astonished to find that they had survived. Study author Nigel Raine, a professor in the school of environmental sciences at the university, told CNN that it was “really surprising.” “These are terrestrial organisms, they’re not really designed to be underwater,” he said. The team then carried out an experiment involving 143 common eastern bumblebee queens and found that those kept under water for periods of up to seven days had similar survival rates to those not kept under water, according to a statement from the university. “We found very little impact of any of the submersion regimes,” Raine told CNN.