New research on flight periods of Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major) has been published. It shows that between 1984 and 2024, bee-fly emergence has advanced by about 9 days and senescence (end of flight period) by about 22 days. Consequently, the annual flight period has shortened by about 13 days over the study period.
Both advanced emergence and senescence correlate with climate warming, with maximum rather than average monthly temperatures more influential on phenological changes. Precipitation contributes to delayed senescence.
A very large proportion of the data analysed was gathered via the Bee-fly Watch project. Many thanks to everyone who has sent in a record of Dark-edged Bee-fly over the years.
- Bloomfield, J.P., Bowler, D.E., Gripenberg, S., & Harvey, M.C. 2026. Citizen science data reveals that earlier and shorter flight periods correlate with climate warming in the dark-edged bee-fly. Insect Conservation and Diversity, 1–13.
We hope to have a talk on this research at the Dipterists Forum Annual Meeting in November.