Pemanfaatan Bee Hotel Sebagai Habitat Buatan Serangga di Kampus IPB Dramaga

Abstract

Populasi lebah soliter mengalami penurunan secara global akibat alih fungsi lahan, penggunaan pestisida, dan perubahan iklim, meskipun peran mereka sebagai penyerbuk penting bagi ketahanan pangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis efektivitas penggunaan bee hotel sebagai habitat bersarang buatan dalam mendukung keanekaragaman dan aktivitas lebah soliter di lingkungan Kampus IPB University. Penelitian dilakukan dari Januari 2024 hingga Januari 2025 dengan menempatkan 10 unit bee hotel di lokasi hutan (Cikabayan) dan urban (perumahan dosen) IPB dengan menggunakan variasi diameter bambu 1–4 cm. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa bee hotel berhasil dihuni oleh berbagai kelompok serangga, termasuk famili Megachilidae, Crabronidae, dan Formicidae, dengan tingkat aktivitas lebih tinggi di area hutan dibandingkan urban karena ketersediaan tanaman pakan dan mikroklimat yang lebih stabil. Lebah soliter Megachilidae menunjukkan preferensi spesifik pada lubang berdiameter 2 cm, dengan resin sebagai material penyegel sarang yang paling dominan digunakan. Secara keseluruhan, bee hotel terbukti efektif sebagai sarana konservasi habitat buatan, namun keberhasilannya sangat dipengaruhi oleh ketepatan dimensi sarang, orientasi pintu masuk, serta tantangan lingkungan berupa cuaca dan gangguan antropogenik

Solitary bee populations are declining globally due to land-use changes, pesticide application, and climate change, despite their crucial role as pollinators for food security. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of using bee hotels as artificial nesting habitats to support the diversity and activity of solitary bees within the IPB University campus environment. The research was conducted from January 2024 to January 2025 by deploying 10 bee hotel units across forest (Cikabayan) and urban (faculty housing) locations at IPB, utilizing bamboo with varying diameters ranging from 1 to 4 cm. The results demonstrated that the bee hotels were successfully colonized by various insect groups, including the families Megachilidae, Crabronidae, and Formicidae, with higher activity levels observed in the forest area compared to the urban area due to the availability of foraging plants and a more stable microclimate. Solitary bees exhibited specific preferences for hole diameters of 2 cm and 3 cm, with resin being the most dominant nest-sealing material used. Overall, bee hotels proved effective as a means of artificial habitat conservation; however, their success is highly influenced by the precision of nest dimensions, entrance orientation, as well as environmental challenges such as weather and anthropogenic disturbances.