  High-resolution numerical simulations of a tethered model bumblebee in
forward flight are performed superimposing homogeneous isotropic turbulent
fluctuations to the uniform inflow. Despite tremendous variation in turbulence
intensity, between 17% and 99% with respect to the mean flow, we do not find
significant changes in cycle-averaged aerodynamic forces, moments or flight
power when averaged over realizations, compared to laminar inflow conditions.
The variance of aerodynamic measures, however, significantly increases with
increasing turbulence intensity, which may explain flight instabilities
observed in freely flying bees.
