The Effect of Ambient Temperature in Strawberry Fields on the Activities of Honeybees and Native Pollinator Bees

Increasing temperatures due to global climate change significantly affect bee activity patterns and plant pollination efficiency. This study investigated the effect of ambient temperature on the activity of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and native pollinator bee species in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) fields. Observations were made by recording the frequency of visits to flowers by different bee species in temperature ranges between 12–22°C. The findings show that A. mellifera was observed across all temperature ranges, and its activity level increased significantly as temperature increased. Among the native species, Lasioglossum spp. and Halictus quadricinctus were active in narrower temperature ranges, while Eristalis tenax showed its highest activity at higher temperatures. In general, honeybees have a wide thermal tolerance, while native bee species operate in more limited temperature ranges. These results suggest that native bee communities face a risk of decreasing their pollination services with the progression of climate change, and that protecting these species is important for agricultural sustainability.