A colossal colony of ground bees, numbering in the millions, has been discovered beneath a peaceful American cemetery. Researchers unveiled the secrets of their "invisible" life and explained why this place has become the perfect home for them, breaking all known records.
Beneath the quiet and serene surface of one of the cemeteries in the U.S., scientists made an astonishing discovery. They found an incredible colony of living beings – more than 5.6 million bees, which has become one of the largest populations recorded by science. This unique settlement was discovered at East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York.
Researchers from Cornell University found that hidden life was buzzing beneath every step of visitors. The species of bee Andrena regularis had established itself in the area since as far back as 1935. Until recently, no one even suspected how extensive this underground family was.
Invisible Neighbors
Scientists explain that the reason for such inconspicuousness lies in the lifestyle of these remarkable insects. Unlike the honeybees we are familiar with, the overwhelming majority of species in the U.S., about 70%, prefer to live not in hives but alone underground. This feature makes them practically "invisible" to humans, even when their numbers reach astronomical proportions.
The research team spent six weeks in the spring of 2023 to conduct accurate counts. The results of their work turned out to be truly sensational and exceeded all expectations. In a relatively small area of 6,500 square meters, comparable to the size of a small football field, there are a total of 5.56 million bees.
"I was completely stunned when we were doing the calculations," admitted study author Brian Denfort. He added, "I had seen published estimates of bee clusters in the hundreds of thousands. But I never imagined it would be 5.56 million."
Record-Breaking Colony
This unique find confidently breaks all world records for bee colony numbers. For comparison, a typical colony of honeybees in a hive usually consists of about 30,000 individuals.
Previously, a large settlement in Arizona, home to 1.6 million bees, was considered huge. However, the find in Ithaca, with its more than 5.5 million individuals, surpassed all conceivable limits.
Ideal Refuge: Why a Cemetery?
Experts explain that cemeteries are a true "paradise" for wildlife, especially for ground bees. The soil in such areas remains untouched for decades, with no one digging it up or treating it with chemicals. The lack of intensive construction also plays a key role.
These factors allow bee populations to grow and thrive from generation to generation, creating such gigantic colonies. "I am sure there are other large clusters of bees around the world that we simply have not identified, but according to the literature, this is one of the largest," stated one of the study's authors.
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