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Wild pollinator declines are increasingly linked to pesticide exposure, yet it is unclear how intraspecific differences contribute to observed variation in sensitivity, and the role gut microbes play in the sensitivity of wild bees is largely unexplored. Here, we investigate site-level differences in survival and microbiome structure of a wild bumble bee exposed to multiple pesticides, both individually and in combination. We collected wildBombus vosnesenskiiforagers (N= 175) from an alpine meadow, a valley lake shoreline and a suburban park and maintained them on a diet containing a herbicide (glyphosate), a fungicide (tebuconazole), an insecticide (imidacloprid) or a combination of these chemicals. Alpine bees had the highest overall survival, followed by shoreline bees then suburban bees. This was in part explained by body size differences across sites and the presence of conopid parasitoids at two of the sites. Notably, site of origin impacted bee survival on the herbicide, fungicide and combination treatment. We did not find evidence of gut microbiome differences across pesticide treatment, nor a site-by-treatment interaction. Regardless, the survival differences we observed emphasize the importance of considering population of origin when studying pesticide toxicity of wild bees. 

ABSTRACT Microbiology conferences can be powerful places to build collaborations and exchange ideas, but for queer and transgender (trans) scientists, they can also become sources of alienation and isolation. Many conference organizers would like to create welcoming and inclusive events but feel ill-equipped to make this vision a reality, and a historical lack of representation of queer and trans folks in microbiology means we rarely occupy these key leadership roles ourselves. Looking more broadly, queer and trans scientists are systematically marginalized across scientific fields, leading to disparities in career outcomes, professional networks, and opportunities, as well as the loss of unique scientific perspectives at all levels. For queer and trans folks with multiple, intersecting, marginalized identities, these barriers often become even more severe. Here, we draw from our experiences as early-career microbiologists to provide concrete, practical advice to help conference organizers across research communities design inclusive, safe, and welcoming conferences, where queer and trans scientists can flourish.