Scientists just discovered 5.6 million bees under a New York State cemetery

A recent study has discovered that East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, is home to an astonishing 5.6 million ground-nesting bees, making it one of the largest and possibly oldest bee colonies ever recorded. Unlike the common perception of bees living in hives, about 70% of bee species in the U.S. are ground-nesters, often living solitary lives. The species found at the cemetery, Andrena regularis, has been known to inhabit the area since 1935, but the sheer number of bees was unexpected. This discovery highlights the importance of cemeteries as habitats for these crucial pollinators, which play a significant role in the ecosystem. Bryan Danforth, an entomology professor at Cornell University, emphasizes the need to appreciate these solitary bees for their vital contributions to pollination. QUESTION: How might the discovery of such a large bee colony in a cemetery change the way we view and manage these spaces in the future?