The status and challenges of insect hotels in the conservation of urban solitary bees and wasps diversity

doi:10.17520/biods.2024472

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: Global biodiversity is under serious threat due to the intensification of climate change and human activities in the ecosystems. As a result, governments and the public are increasingly focused on implementing measures to mitigate biodiversity loss. In recent years, insect hotels have emerged as an innovative approach to biodiversity conservation in urban park management, attracting significant attention and being gradually adopted. The primary purpose of insect hotels is to provide breeding, nesting, and overwintering sites for insects—particularly solitary bees—in urban environments. By doing so, insect hotels contribute to maintaining species diversity and population stability. However, a comprehensive understanding regarding of the effectiveness and challenges of insect hotels in conserving urban insect diversity is still lacking.

Progresses: To address this, we review the global research status of insect hotels, including aspects such as the number of studies, geographical distribution, targeted species, and the materials and specifications of nesting tubes.

Prospects: We summarize the positive impacts (pollination, pest control, and popular science education) and limitations (low occupancy rate, invasive alien species, increased harm from natural enemies and pathogens) of insect hotels in promoting solitary bee diversity in urban environments and propose specific improvement strategies. This study aims to provide a scientific foundation and practical guidance for sustainable development of urban biodiversity.

Key words: insect hotel, trap-nest, urban insect, solitary bee, diversity conservation

Hao Zhou, Mingyi Wang, Chuge Zhang, Zhishu Xiao, Fang Ouyang. The status and challenges of insect hotels in the conservation of urban solitary bees and wasps diversity[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(5): 24472.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024472

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I5/24472

Figures/Tables 6

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洲 Continent	文献数量Number of papers	国家 Country	文献数量Number of papers
欧洲 Europe	141	德国 Germany	36
		西班牙 Spain	14
		捷克共和国 The Czech Republic	9
		法国 France	8
		意大利 Italy	7
		荷兰 The Netherlands	7
		比利时 Belgium	6
		波兰 Poland	6
		俄罗斯 Russia	6
		瑞典 Sweden	6
		瑞士 Switzerland	6
		立陶宛 Lithuania	5
		英国 Britain	5
		匈牙利 Hungary	4
		奥地利 Austria	3
		土耳其 Türkiye	3
		乌克兰 Ukraine	3
		罗马尼亚 Romania	2
		克罗地亚 Croatia	1
		爱沙尼亚 Estonia	1
		爱尔兰 Ireland	1
		塞尔维亚 Serbia	1
		斯洛伐克 Slovakia	1
南美洲 South America	135	巴西 Brazil	116
		阿根廷 Argentina	18
		哥伦比亚 Colombia	1
北美洲 North America	63	美国 America	42
		加拿大 Canada	14
		哥斯达黎加 Costa Rica	3
		墨西哥 Mexico	2
		巴拿马 Panama	2
亚洲 Asia	51	中国 China	20
		印度 India	12
		日本 Japan	8
		巴基斯坦 Pakistan	4
		韩国 Korea	2
		越南 Vietnam	2
		伊朗 Iran	1
		沙特阿拉伯 Saudi Arabia	1
		新加坡 Singapore	1
大洋洲 Oceania	12	澳大利亚 Australia	12
非洲 Africa	3	南非 South Africa	2
非洲 Africa	3	摩洛哥 Morocco	1

洲 Continent	文献数量Number of papers	国家 Country	文献数量Number of papers
欧洲 Europe	141	德国 Germany	36
		西班牙 Spain	14
		捷克共和国 The Czech Republic	9
		法国 France	8
		意大利 Italy	7
		荷兰 The Netherlands	7
		比利时 Belgium	6
		波兰 Poland	6
		俄罗斯 Russia	6
		瑞典 Sweden	6
		瑞士 Switzerland	6
		立陶宛 Lithuania	5
		英国 Britain	5
		匈牙利 Hungary	4
		奥地利 Austria	3
		土耳其 Türkiye	3
		乌克兰 Ukraine	3
		罗马尼亚 Romania	2
		克罗地亚 Croatia	1
		爱沙尼亚 Estonia	1
		爱尔兰 Ireland	1
		塞尔维亚 Serbia	1
		斯洛伐克 Slovakia	1
南美洲 South America	135	巴西 Brazil	116
		阿根廷 Argentina	18
		哥伦比亚 Colombia	1
北美洲 North America	63	美国 America	42
		加拿大 Canada	14
		哥斯达黎加 Costa Rica	3
		墨西哥 Mexico	2
		巴拿马 Panama	2
亚洲 Asia	51	中国 China	20
		印度 India	12
		日本 Japan	8
		巴基斯坦 Pakistan	4
		韩国 Korea	2
		越南 Vietnam	2
		伊朗 Iran	1
		沙特阿拉伯 Saudi Arabia	1
		新加坡 Singapore	1
大洋洲 Oceania	12	澳大利亚 Australia	12
非洲 Africa	3	南非 South Africa	2
非洲 Africa	3	摩洛哥 Morocco	1