Cuckoo bumblebees are obligate parasites that must successfully invade and gain control of a host bumblebee colony to achieve reproductive success. As apex species, these cuckoos have been considered as potential indicator species of healthy bumblebee habitat for some time. However, our limited understanding of cuckoo bumblebee ecology makes it difficult to understand their full impact on host populations and the challenges they face as a group. In this talk, Sofia describes this fascinating host-parasite relationship and presents experiments she has conducted to unravel the complexities of the cuckoo bumblebee lifecycle.
Tag Archives: urban ecology
Backyard Bees: Private Green Spaces and Pollinator Diversity in Cities
Private green spaces, such as gardens and allotments, have an important role in supporting pollinator diversity within cities. This webinar explores the environmental factors that shape pollinator communities in these spaces, including the influence of both native and non-native plants. We will also examine whether gardens and allotments differ in their ability to provide resources for pollinators and identify which plant species are most frequently visited. This research aims to highlight the importance of private green spaces for sustaining pollinators in urban environments and inform strategies to make cities more biodiversity-friendly.
The Ealing Beaver Project
The Biological Recording Company is collaborating with the Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, the Friends of Horsenden Hill and Ealing Council to deliver a series of six Field Recorder Days at Paradise Fields in 2026. This webpage shares details for the upcoming events, including links to sign up.
Hammersmith and Fulham Biological Recording Project
The Biological Recording Company is working in collaboration with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to deliver a series of free-to-attend biological recording events in 2026: a Biological Recording 101 training course and six Field Recorder Days.