Just like humans, bumble bees have microbes in their gut. These microbes are tiny organisms such as bacteria that are collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. This gut microbiota is beneficial for various functions such as digestion and metabolism. They are in turn affected by the bumble bee’s diet, temperature, and immune system. My work in the Sadd lab focuses on understanding the relationship between the immune system and the gut microbes within the bumble bees. Over the spring semester, we spent time collecting queen bees (shown in the picture) to continue to explore this relationship. Our results will help us gain a better understanding of the health of key pollinators that preserve the beauty of our planet.