Biodiversity Science >

2025 , Vol. 33 >Issue 5: 24472

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2024472

Reviews

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

  • Hao Zhou ,
  • Mingyi Wang ,
  • Chuge Zhang ,
  • Zhishu Xiao ,
  • Fang Ouyang
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  • 1. State Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    2. College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    3. College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
    4. Anxi College of Tea Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362406, China
    5. State Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Forestry Biosecurity, College of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China

Received date: 2024-10-28

  Accepted date: 2025-02-18

  Online published: 2025-04-30

Supported by

2024 Special Project for Advancing High-Quality Development of Beijing Landscape Architecture through Technological Innovation(KJCXLM202409);Beijing Natural Science Foundation(5232018);Special Program for the Institute of National Parks, National Forestry and Grassland Administration-Chinese Academy of Sciences(KFJ-STS-ZDTP-2022-001)

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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

Cite this article

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]. Biodiversity Science, 2025 , 33(5) : 24472 . DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024472

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