New challenge: send in pictures of bumblebees via app

Nature - New challenge: send in pictures of bumblebees via app

With a nationwide Hummel-Challenge, the Thuenen Institute in Braunschweig aims to gain an overview of wild bees in agricultural landscapes. From Thursday to July 3rd, the focus is on photographing as many different types of bees on various plants as possible. This is called for annually in the early spring and summer.

"In the first period, mainly queen bees were recorded, which are on the move in the spring," explained Sophie Ogan, project manager at the Thuenen Institute, who cooperates with BUND Naturschutz Bayern.

Bees are generally most active in the summer and their colonies are the largest. Photos can be uploaded to the website "Observation.org" or using the identification app "ObsIdentify". No knowledge of bee species is required for participation: An AI determines the bees based on the uploaded photos, as stated in the Tuesday announcement. Experts and expert women also review the reports.

Bees are best discovered where there are many flowering plants. "It's easiest to photograph bees during flower visits. Here they collect pollen and drink nectar and remain still for a while. The photos should show the bee in its entirety and be sharply focused," explained Ogan. For research, it is also interesting to identify the food plant.

In the app, multiple photos from different perspectives can be uploaded for each report. This simplifies identification. It is important that the bees are not disturbed, caught, or killed. The photos should provide a data basis for research. Bees belong to the most important pollinator groups both for agriculture and for many wild plants.

Hummel-Challenge

1. The Hummel-Challenge is a nationwide event initiated by the Thuenen Institute in Brunswick, targeting the documentation of wild bees in agricultural landscapes.
2. During the Hummel-Challenge, participants are encouraged to photograph various types of bees on different plants from Thursday to July 3rd, a tradition that occurs annually during the early spring and summer.
3. In cooperation with BUND Naturschutz Bayern, Sophie Ogan, project manager at the Thuenen Institute, highlighted that most queen bees are recorded during the spring season.
4. To participate in the Hummel-Challenge, no prior knowledge of bee species is necessary as an AI determines the bees from the uploaded photos, and experts also review the reports.
5. Bees are most active and colonies are largest during the summer, making flowers the ideal location for observing and photographing these vital pollinators.
6. The Hummel-Challenge provides a valuable data basis for scientific research on bees, investigating both agriculture and wild plants, particularly in regions such as Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Bavaria.

Read also:

• Tough return to normality in snow and ice
• Steinmeier joined a moment of silence - a legal battle over an AfD protest.
• German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
• The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.