170 species of wild bees live on the Hubland Campus of Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU). This is the result of a study carried out by the Chair of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology at the JMU Biocentre from 2012 to 2023. The results have now been published in the scientific journal Ampulex.

Of the 531 wild bee species recorded in Bavaria, almost a third can be found on the approximately 100-hectare campus site. 31 species are also on the Bavarian Red List. They are therefore categorised as at least endangered, including the dark two-toothed bee (Aglaoapis tridentata) and the sand bee (Andrena tscheki).

"The results show that the campus is a surprisingly species-rich and ecologically important habitat for pollinators," explains lead author and department member Hanno Korten. The study provides a scientific basis for harmonising biodiversity and land use planning in the further development of the campus.

What the Chair is doing for the diversity of wild bee species

What makes the university campus in the east of Würzburg so attractive for wild bees is the proximity to nature and the climate in the central Main Valley. At the same time, a number of targeted measures at JMU ensure that biodiversity is promoted.

For example, since 2014, the Chair has been maintaining a small area as a so-called hymenoptera garden, i.e. a garden specially designed for wild bees, wasps and other hymenoptera. The almost 800 square metre area to the east of the biocentre is home to bamboo and reeds, the cavities of which serve as nesting sites for wild bees. The insects also benefit from a loess steep face, dead wood and sand nesting mounds.

Right next to the garden is a meadow orchard with old fruit trees. If these die, their deadwood remains as another protective habitat.

Living Campus ensures sustainable mowing

The Initiative Living Campus also plays a role in maintaining the biodiversity of wild bees. Researchers Dr. Sarah Redlich, Dr. Johannes Spaethe and Junior Professor Nadja Simons from the Biozentrum launched the initiative.

One of their projects is their sustainable mowing concept: mowing once a year with an insect-friendly bar mower and removing the clippings creates a flourishing habitat for insects and birds over time. The initiative also creates many small biotopes that wild bees can use as nesting areas. These include piles of dead wood and open patches of ground.