The rise of urban beekeeping, with hives on terraces, gardens, and rooftops, aims to support…

The rise of urban beekeeping, with hives on terraces, gardens, and rooftops, aims to support nature and slow honey bee declines. However, new research reveals that increasing honey bee numbers can pressure wild pollinators already threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change.

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are highly social and populous, with a single hive housing up to 50,000 individuals, making them very efficient at gathering nectar and pollen but also strong competitors. Wild pollinators like bumblebees, solitary bees, and hoverflies have smaller populations and less aggressive behaviors.