# Social conditions facilitate water conservation in a solitary bee

## TL;DR

Solitary bees conserve more water when paired, suggesting social interactions can help them survive harsh conditions.

## Contribution

The study shows that social grouping in solitary bees reduces water loss under stress, offering new insights into the evolution of social behavior.

## Key findings

- Paired bees had reduced water loss compared to solitary bees under low humidity.
- Social tolerance was observed without changes in activity levels.
- This suggests social behavior can evolve as a response to environmental stress.

## Abstract

Climatic stressors are important drivers in the evolution of social behavior. Social animals tend to thrive in harsh and unpredictable environments, yet the precise benefits driving these patterns are often unclear. Here, we explore water conservation in forced associations of a solitary bee (Melissodes tepidus timberlakei Cockerell, 1926) to test the hypothesis that grouping can generate synergistic physiological benefits in an incipient social context. Paired bees displayed mutual tolerance and experienced reduced water loss relative to singleton bees when exposed to acute low-humidity stress, with no change in activity levels. While the mechanism underlying these benefits remains unknown, social advantages like these can facilitate the evolution of cooperation among nonrelatives and offer important insights into the social consequences of climate change.