A quiet cemetery in Ithaca has become the unlikely home to one of the largest known populations of ground-nesting bees in the world, according to new research from Cornell University.
Scientists estimate that roughly 5.5 million individual bees inhabit a 1.5-acre section of East Lawn Cemetery, making it one of the most significant documented aggregations of its kind.
The discovery began in 2022 when a Cornell lab technician noticed large numbers of bees emerging from the ground and brought samples to researchers for identification. The insects were confirmed to be Andrena regularis, a solitary, ground-nesting species known as the regular mining bee.
Researchers say the population size is comparable to more than 200 honeybee hives and exceeds the human population of many major cities. The findings were detailed in a new study published this week in the journal Apidologie.
The study highlights the importance of ground-nesting bees, which make up the majority of bee species but remain relatively understudied. Scientists say these bees play a critical role in pollinating crops, including apples, a key agricultural product in New York.
Using specialized emergence traps, researchers collected and analyzed thousands of insects over several weeks to estimate population density. They then extrapolated those findings across the cemetery’s roughly 6,000 square meters, arriving at an estimated range of 3 million to 8 million bees.
Experts say the cemetery provides ideal conditions for the species, including sandy soil, minimal disturbance, and a lack of pesticides. Its proximity to flowering resources like Cornell Orchards may also help sustain the large population.
The research also underscores the ecological value of cemeteries, which can serve as important refuges for wildlife, including insects, birds, and mammals.
Scientists involved in the study are now encouraging broader awareness and protection of ground-nesting bee habitats, warning that development or land disturbance could quickly wipe out large populations.
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