This summer, visitors to the University of Guelph Arboretum may be unknowingly helping pollinator science simply by taking a walk with their smartphone. Fifty queen bumblebees will be fitted with newly developed Bluetooth radiotransmitters as part of a research project designed to better understand bumblebee movement patterns and nesting behaviour.
The project marks the first time this type of Bluetooth tracking technology has been used on the common eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens), a key pollinator species in Canadian agriculture and ecosystems. The research will focus on how queen bumblebees move across the landscape while searching for nest sites in the spring, as well as whether captive-reared bees behave differently from their wild counterparts once released.
A First for Bumblebee Research
The study is using Blū+ radiotransmitters, newly developed by Cellular Tracking Technologies, which operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. These transmitters function in a manner similar to Apple AirTags, using Bluetooth signals detected by nearby cellular-enabled devices. When a device with Bluetooth enabled passes within range, it relays that signal through cellular networks, increasing the number of detections researchers receive.
At just 0.06 grams, the transmitters are extremely lightweight and solar-powered, making them well suited for use on flying insects. Heavier tracking tags have previously been used on queen bumblebees, providing confidence that the weight of the Blū+ transmitters should not interfere with normal flight or foraging behaviour.
While these devices were successfully used to track monarch butterflies to their overwintering grounds in fall 2025, they have not previously been tested on bumblebees. As a result, this study represents an important step in evaluating whether Bluetooth-based tracking can be reliably applied to bumblebee research.
Testing Technology Below Ground
One of the key goals of the project is to assess whether the transmitters can perform effectively given the unique nesting habits of bumblebees. Unlike many other insects, bumblebees nest underground. This presents challenges for signal transmission, as antennas may interfere with underground movement and exposure to moisture, soil, and debris could affect data collection.
Because the Blū+ radiotransmitters are solar-powered and do not contain batteries, their performance may also be limited if bees spend extended periods underground. Researchers will closely monitor how these factors influence detection rates and data reliability.
Understanding these limitations is critical before broader adoption of this technology for pollinator monitoring and conservation research.
Captive Versus Wild Bees
The second major objective of the project is to compare the behaviour of captive-reared and wild queen bumblebees. Both groups will be tagged and released within the Arboretum, allowing researchers to examine whether movement patterns, territory size, or nesting searches differ between the two populations.
This information is particularly relevant for conservation programs that rely on captive breeding and release. If captive bees behave similarly to wild bees, it strengthens the case for using reared populations to support declining pollinator numbers.
Public Participation Through Smartphones
Members of the public visiting the Arboretum will play an important role in the success of the project. Because the transmitters rely on Bluetooth connections, researchers are encouraging visitors to turn on Bluetooth on their iPhones while walking through the area.
Each smartphone detection helps relay location data through cellular networks, providing researchers with a richer dataset. This form of passive public participation offers an easy way for community members to contribute to scientific research without disrupting their visit.
Why This Research Matters to Agriculture
Bumblebees are essential pollinators for many crops grown on Canadian farms, including berries, vegetables, and seed crops. Understanding how queens move through landscapes and select nesting sites can help inform habitat management, land use planning, and conservation strategies.
For farmers and land managers, insights from this research may eventually support practices that enhance pollinator success, such as maintaining undisturbed ground cover, field margins, and naturalized areas that provide suitable nesting habitat.
Innovative research tools like Bluetooth tracking offer new ways to protect and support pollinators that play a vital role in food production.