Fernanda Herrera-Mesías

What inspired you to become a scientific collaborator?

I was inspired by the museum's Hymenoptera collection and the opportunity to collaborate with other researchers on local wild bee conservation projects.

What topics or projects are you currently working on as part of your collaboration?

My research primarily focuses on studying wild bee biodiversity to support local conservation and outreach initiatives. Between 2023 and 2025, I was a co-principal investigator on the Beelibre project, which aimed to create a freely accessible, user-friendly online database of local wild bee species. The Beelibre website, officially launched in the summer of 2025, compiles scientific data collected locally over the past two years. Currently, I manage the content for the species profiles on the website and prepare updates for its various libraries.

Additionally, I lead the BeeKey project, an initiative dedicated to producing open-access taxonomic keys and educational materials that enhance wild bee identification skills in Luxembourg.

What particularly attracts or fascinates you about this field of research? What motivates you the most?

I always say that we need to “know” to “protect”. Improving our taxonomic knowledge of local wild bees has a direct impact on conservation efforts. The more people understand about local pollinators, the better they grasp their importance and the urgency of protecting them. Once you reveal their beauty and explain their true value, even those who are typically afraid of insects often change their perception of bees. Guiding people through the hidden world of wild bees is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

How important is your involvement with the Naturmusée to you, both personally and scientifically?

The Naturmusée serves as a hub for our team, housing our reference materials and providing a space to develop collaborations with other research groups. Over the years, I have built lasting professional relationships with colleagues at the museum, which regularly lead to new projects and opportunities. So, it’s both a scientific and personal cornerstone for my work.

Where does your research mainly take place, and what tools, methods or materials do you use?

My research primarily takes place in the field, across various locations in the country, such as urban gardens, orchards, meadows, forest edges. In the laboratory, I use morphotaxonomic identification techniques, including the analysis of diagnostic features of specimens prepared for microscopy. I also rely on high-quality photographic equipment and DNA-based identification methods to support my work.

How do you organize your work in practice? When do you conduct your research ?

The timing of my wild bee research activities depends heavily on the season and weather conditions. Since bees hibernate during the colder months and avoid flying in heavy rain, fieldwork is conducted on sunny days in spring and summer, when the bees are most active. Meanwhile, laboratory work and data analysis are primarily carried out in autumn and winter.

Do you work mainly alone or in collaboration with other researchers or teams?

I am a member of the Beelibre core team, and our research simply wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of all the partners in the Beelibre network across Luxembourg. At an international level, we work closely with the ‘European Pollinator Identification Courses (EPIC)’ project to provide training and certification for wild bee taxonomists in the Benelux region. Additionally, we regularly collaborate with the British company Enstic – Diagnostic Entomology to develop equipment based on alternative bee identification techniques.

What have been the main challenges or difficulties in your role as a scientific collaborator?

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of stability and permanent positions for scientists working in pollinator conservation. Taxonomic research cannot be rushed—it requires time, continuity, and support to collect and analyze the vast amounts of data needed to develop meaningful conservation initiatives. Moreover, acquiring the specialized skills for this work takes years.

Unfortunately, project funding is often limited to just a few years, and contracts typically end when the funding runs out. Even when we secure new funding, bureaucratic obstacles—often beyond our control—prevent us from rehiring skilled colleagues or offering them more permanent roles. In these circumstances, it’s incredibly difficult to ensure that our efforts translate into long-term solutions. We’ve lost many talented colleagues simply because there was no way to extend their contracts beyond the project’s end date.

How did you overcome these challenges?

Unfortunately, this situation is ongoing. We’re constantly searching for ways to keep our team intact and secure sustainable funding. Even I face the risk of being unable to continue my research once my current contract ends—simply because long-term positions are so rare.

At the end of the day, this is a job like any other, and scientists have the same basic needs as anyone else. We’ve made significant progress, and it would be a shame to halt our work or relocate our research elsewhere for purely bureaucratic reasons. That’s why I believe that, to ensure a local, long-term scientific contribution, we must first and foremost provide stable working conditions for the skilled professionals already doing this vital work.

Can you share a success or a particularly meaningful moment that you are proud of?

I am very proud of all my students and interns. Our team has been incredibly fortunate to work alongside brilliant young minds. For me, mentoring the next generation of researchers and helping them grow in this field is just as meaningful as the research itself. It’s bittersweet to see them move on when the time comes — I’d love for them to stay as colleagues — but I take comfort in knowing we’ve equipped them with the best possible tools to carve their own paths in the world.

Was there a discovery that particularly excited you?

Yes! In 2019, shortly after arriving in Luxembourg, I discovered a specimen of Tetralonia alticincta among samples from the pilot study for the wild bee atlas. To this day, it remains the only specimen of Tetralonia ever recorded in Luxembourg. I return to the same site every year, hoping to find more—but so far, no luck! It’s a rare and thrilling reminder of how much there still is to uncover.

In your opinion, what is the role or importance of scientific collaborators within the Naturmusée?

As scientific collaborators, we bring diversity, fresh perspectives, and innovative ideas that help preserve the Naturmusée’s identity as a leading research institution. Through academic research and publications in peer-reviewed journals, we not only advance knowledge but also uncover discoveries that are later shared with the public through exhibitions. 

Would you recommend becoming a scientific collaborator at the museum? 

Absolutely. I would especially recommend it to young researchers exploring new topics who could benefit from the support of a well-established community. My hope for the future is that the museum’s network of scientific collaborators will grow to be as diverse and multicultural as possible, fostering a supportive environment where ideas can be freely shared and nurtured.

Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting involved?

If you’re passionate about wild bees or pollinator monitoring, I’d encourage you to explore the opportunities on the Pollinator Academy website.

This September, we’ll be offering wild bee identification courses at the University of Mons for participants from the Benelux region. I’m one of the trainers for the intermediate-level courses, and I’d love to see a strong turnout from Luxembourg!

Would you like to add anything else?

"All good things are wild and free"- Henry David Thoreau

Interview : Alexandre Diels

Editing : Selma Weber