Harriet Lambert

My research focuses on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of social bees. I am particularly interested in bee behaviour and the mechanisms underpinning intra- and interspecific plant-pollinator communication. During my PhD, I discovered a novel behaviour in bumblebees and explored its significance and implications for bumble bee colonies and bee-plant interactions. I used laboratory, semi-natural and behavioural experiments to show how Bombus terrestris workers use their mouthparts to routinely damage plant leaves. I have investigated the triggers for this behaviour and its effect on flowering time using a variety of assays. During my PostDoc, I have investigated the ecological relevance of this behaviour, by examining fitness implications of food scarcity, as well as the behavioural preferences of bees in natural experiments. In my future work, I plan to work increasingly in natural settings, investigating the effects of floral resource availability on the behaviour, resource use and reproduction of bumble bees in human-modified landscapes. I am passionate about open science, science communication and collaborating with researchers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.