Articles tagged with Bees
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered that bees favor flowers with early visitors over color, even when the latter has an initial disadvantage. This finding indicates that social information plays a crucial role in pollinator choice, and flowers that secure early visitors may gain a lasting advantage.
The Hubland Campus of the University of Würzburg is a rich habitat for 170 species of wild bees, with 31 species listed as endangered. Targeted measures, such as a hymenoptera garden and sustainable mowing, have created a species-rich and ecologically important environment for pollinators.
Researchers found that village habitats, such as green spaces and fallow land, support a wide variety of insects, including wild bees. Native wildflowers like Knautia and Cirsium are valuable resources for pollinators. Tips for gardeners include using pollinator-friendly plants and allowing vegetation to grow without frequent mowing.
Research reveals hygienic honey bees have enhanced innate immune responses and increased survival when infected with Nosema ceranae, a widespread adult bee pathogen. This discovery offers a promising avenue for strengthening bee health through selective breeding.
A University of Sydney-led study found that honey made from mixed floral sources has superior performance against bacteria, with high levels of bioactive compounds. The findings could help develop new treatments for drug-resistant infections while supporting bushfire recovery and sustainable beekeeping practices.
The Safeguard project, which aimed to expand understanding of declining wild pollinators, has come to an end. The project delivered a comprehensive reassessment of European wild pollinator trends and developed an integrated assessment framework to guide evidence-based management.
Researchers shed light on moths & butterflies' evolution, conservation needs, and diverse feeding habits. Discoveries suggest that these insects obtained plant-digesting abilities from fungi, while mandibled moths were once more diverse but largely extinct.
A study published in the Journal of Apicultural Research found that combining a widely used mite-killing pesticide with an agent inhibiting its tolerance can effectively control varroa mites. The new treatment increases amitraz's killing power by 50% and shows promise for developing novel synergists to target these destructive mites.
Researchers have developed a new method to map the location of honey bee 'dance floors,' where forager bees perform waggle dances. This method allows for accurate quantification and comparison of waggle dance regions, enabling better understanding of honey bee communication.
Researchers tracked individual honey bees to record high-resolution flight paths in natural landscapes, revealing precise navigation and unique routes. Visual landmarks aid the bees' navigation, increasing the precision of their flight paths.
Scientists have identified specific patterns of brain chemical activity in honey bees that predict how quickly individual bees learn new associations. The findings may help explain why humans learn at different speeds and provide implications for understanding brain disorders.
A new study finds that viral presence in wild bees is linked to floral communities and landscape-level resource availability. Researchers discovered that certain flower communities increase the likelihood of viruses and that flowers can serve as hubs for virus transmission between wild bees and honey bees.
Researchers analyzed solitary mason bee gut metagenomes to understand how urban environments shape diet, microbiome stability, pathogen exposure, and antibiotic resistance. The study found that bees' gut ecosystems containing both bacteria and viruses are more resilient than bacteria-only communities.
A team of biologists discovered a genetic factor that determines the begging behaviour of drones in bees, allowing them to obtain essential proteins from worker bees. The 'fruitless' or 'Fru' protein regulates this complex social behaviour and influences a neural network of around 1,800 neurons.
Researchers found thousands of hutia fossils in a Caribbean cave, including nests made from compacted soil and coated with a waxy substance. The discovery provides evidence of the presence of bees in the area thousands of years ago, challenging initial findings on wasp nests.
A study analyzed 679 honey samples from Italy and found that 98% contained at least one bee pathogen. This analysis may provide clues to bees' health, highlighting the need for further research on bee health.
A new study in Botswana explores the effectiveness of bee-sound barriers in deterring elephants from raiding crops. While results show a positive reaction from some elephants, differences in response rates between Botswana and other countries suggest context-specific factors are at play.
A monitoring system devised by the University of Córdoba uses AI algorithms to predict flowering stages with high precision. This allows beekeepers to optimize their harvesting times and reduce losses, as well as track health issues and other potential problems without visiting the apiary.
In a study by Michelle Miner at UC Riverside, bumble bees were found to avoid foraging near ant colonies due to the risk of being bitten. However, aggressive bees who fought back were victorious in individual fights but may ultimately harm their colony by wasting energy.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have shown that bumblebees can be trained to differentiate between long and short light flashes, which was previously observed only in humans and other vertebrates. This ability allows the bees to decide where to forage for food based on visual cues.
A team of researchers has identified a common sex-determining gene called ANTSR in both bees and ants, revealing a conserved mechanism that has been present for over 150 million years. This finding sheds light on the genetic basis of sex determination in these species and may have implications for bee conservation and breeding programs.
A new native bee species named Megachile (Hackeriapis) lucifer has been discovered in the Bremer Range region of Western Australia. The striking bee was found visiting both an endangered wildflower and a nearby mallee tree, and its discovery highlights the importance of understanding native bees before their habitats are disturbed.
Researchers found that common viral infections shrink a queen's ovaries, reducing egg-laying capacity and methyl oleate production. This reduction triggers worker bees to prepare a new queen, which can lead to colony instability and economic losses for beekeepers.
A study found that honey bees collect similar pollen diversity regardless of surrounding agricultural land use, but with low pesticide levels. The results suggest that bees may thrive in intensively farmed landscapes by flying greater distances to find food.
A new study found that fire can have varying impacts on global bee populations, with some species thriving in post-fire conditions and others declining or disappearing. The review highlights the need for tailored fire management strategies to support biodiversity, particularly in Australia's unique ecosystems.
Insect pollinators like bees and butterflies require more natural habitat with diverse flora to thrive, according to a new study analyzing over 178,000 individual pollinators from 19 countries. The research found minimum habitat requirements vary between species, ranging from 6% for hoverflies to 37% for butterflies.
A recent study found that genetic variants associated with social behavior in honey bees are also linked to social behavior in humans. Researchers used genome sequencing, brain gene expression analysis, and behavioral observations to investigate the genetic mechanisms underpinning variation in social behavior in western honey bees.
A study found that ants can scare away pollinators like bees when defending plants with extrafloral nectaries, which are secretions that attract ants but not pollinators. However, plants with these glands on other locations had increased reproductive success.
A study by the University of Kansas found that cellophane bees are specially equipped to handle cold temperatures and can recover from 'chill coma' twice as quickly as honeybees. These solitary bees are vital pollinators in early spring ecosystems, but their limited lifespan makes them harder to commercialize.
A long-term field study found that wild bumble bees strategically target flowers to balance their diet, adjusting their consumption of protein, fat, and carbs based on tongue length and seasonal flower availability. This nuanced approach allows them to thrive together and maintain strong colonies.
Honeybees use various strategies to build hives that accommodate different space constraints, including merging cells, tilting borders and layering combs. Researchers observed these adaptations using X-ray microscopy and found that the bees' behavior is intuitive and physics-based.
Researchers developed a sustainable solution to help tackle honeybee decline by creating an engineered food supplement. The new feed, designed to provide essential compounds found in plant pollen, significantly enhances colony reproduction.
A large census of dikes in the Netherlands revealed that more bee species live on dikes than previously thought, with 154 different species found. The researchers found that flower-rich dikes attract many more bees, especially endangered species, due to the variety of plants and nesting sites.
Research reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduce the frequency and pitch of non-flight wing vibrations in bees. This affects their communication, defense, and buzz-pollination abilities, which are crucial for plant reproduction and biodiversity.
A new study found that honey bees extract nearly 80% of available pollen in a day, leaving little for native bee species. This exploitation could lead to population declines and disruption of ecosystem balance.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and UK identified a set of flower mixtures that attract both pollinators and delight the human eye. The study found that seed mixes containing species like yarrow, cornflower, and purple viper's bugloss establish themselves better in soil and bloom for longer.
Researchers Dr. Liam Duffy and Dr. Kaira Wagoner have received new R&D grants from NCInnovation to develop groundbreaking instruments and tools, including a quadropole mass Starkometer for analyzing isomers and a pheromone-based tool for measuring honey bee colony mite resistance.
A study found that droughts can decrease nectar calories in zucchini flowers by up to 95%, harming pollinators and plants. Increased rainfall can positively affect nectar calorie production, but heavy rainfall events can have devastating consequences for ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered that Australian native bee honey exhibits remarkable antimicrobial properties, effective even after heat treatment and long-term storage. This unique feature makes it a promising alternative to synthetic antibiotics, with the potential to complement or replace them in therapeutic frameworks.
Researchers at Penn State uncovered the molecular mechanisms controlling how genes inherited from the father and mother determine a honey bee larva's fate. They found that patrigenes were expressed at higher levels in queen-destined larvae, while matrigenes were expressed at higher levels in worker-destined larvae.
A study by UC Riverside reveals that bumble bee queens pause egg-laying after a burst of activity, likely in response to cues from their developing brood, and typically resume production within 1.5 days when pupae are present.
Researchers analyzed video clips of bumblebee visits to lousewort flowers, revealing a unique
Native bee species play diverse roles in Australian ecosystems, from pollination services to hosting parasitoids and parasites. Dr. Prendergast's research emphasizes the importance of conserving these unique species and provides guidance on how individuals can support their protection.
A new report identifies emerging threats to pollinators, including war zones, microplastic particles, and light pollution. The top 12 threats are outlined, along with steps to protect pollinators, such as transitioning to electric vehicles and creating flower-rich habitats within solar parks.
A study by Curtin University reveals that high densities of European honey bees harm Australian native bees' 'fitness' through reduced reproductive success and altered key traits. In areas with higher honey bee densities, native bees produce fewer female offspring and have higher mortality rates.
A team of Australian researchers has discovered 71 new native bee species belonging to the resin pot bees, expanding our knowledge of these unique insects. The discovery brings the total number of known resin pot bee species to 78, with many still unknown to science due to funding constraints.
A study by University of Würzburg researchers found that a balanced diet with diverse pollen is crucial for honeybee survival during winter. The team discovered that areas with high agricultural use provide bees with higher pollen diversity in autumn, while near-natural areas have greater pollen diversity in summer.
Bees are severely affected by heat and land use, with populations in forests coping better than urban relatives, which saw a 65% decline.
A new study finds that incorporating bird observation data with land cover information provides more accurate predictions of wild bee species richness. This approach can help guide conservation efforts for wild bees, which are experiencing widespread population declines.
A new study analyzing over 175 scientific reviews found that agricultural intensification is a major driver of insect decline, but climate change has multiple individual drivers such as extreme precipitation and temperature. The research highlights the need for a multi-pronged approach to conserve insect biodiversity.
A study by the University of Konstanz found that individual bees within a colony exhibit different stinging behaviors, with some defending and others remaining calm. Social factors play a role, but personality is a key factor in determining group dynamics.
Scientists developed a nutritionally complete feed to sustain honey bee colonies, containing all necessary nutrients. The new food source thrived in field trials, reducing colony mortality and increasing survival rates.
Researchers found that common urban pollinator plants like white clover and bindweed accumulate toxic metals from contaminated soils, posing a risk to bee health. To mitigate this, scientists recommend testing soil for metals before planting wildflowers and choosing plant species suitable for the local conditions.
Bumblebees closer to honeybee hives are more likely to attract voracious wax moths, resulting in lower reproductive output and weaker immune response. Conservationists and beekeepers should avoid placing apiaries in areas with high pollinator biodiversity or declining bumblebee populations.
Researchers found that flower constancy is an optimal strategy balancing cognitive and travel costs, not just a memory constraint. Bees decrease constancy when flowers have similar colors or are clustered, but maintain high constancy in mixed environments.
Researchers found the UBeeO test can identify colonies resistant to several pests and pathogens that can decimate bee populations. The test mimics the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees, allowing for a more selective and realistic assessment of hygienic behavior in honey bees.
Utah State University ecologists Joseph Wilson and Anthony Hunsaker published a checklist of the state's bee species, documenting 1,167 species and estimating up to 1,500 in total. The study highlights Utah's high bee diversity and provides valuable information for conservation efforts.
Research suggests that flowering plants' tendency to reward pollinators with nectar is heritable and influenced by flower size and sugar content. Bees prefer honest flower genotypes, benefiting the plant through increased seed production.
Research by Kobe University reveals that restoring abandoned grasslands requires at least 75 years of continuous management to regain plant diversity. Pollinators also take time to adapt, with generalist insects like flies and hoverflies dominating recently restored sites.
A new study using landscape transcriptomics identifies genetic signatures of stressors in bumble bees, suggesting this approach could accelerate conservation efforts for at-risk species. The method accurately identified stressors such as heat and cold, even in wild bees, with high accuracy rates.