Articles tagged with Bees
A new study published in PNAS shows that Varroa mites do not feed on honey bee blood, but rather on the fat body tissue. This discovery has significant implications for controlling the pest and could lead to more effective pesticides and treatments.
A study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that a single gene enables worker bees to produce female offspring, leading to the colony's takeover. This phenomenon, known as thelytoky, is a dominant genetic trait that allows these 'false queens' to reproduce and invade other colonies.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that orchards surrounded by natural habitats draw a broader selection of bee species, leading to improved apple production. This is because bees from different species exhibit unique behaviors when pollinating flowers, affecting fruit development and quality.
A decade-long analysis of bee activity in New York apple orchards reveals decreased pollination services with agricultural activity; Phylogenetic diversity is a better gauge of pollinator services than standard approaches.
Researchers at Utah State University and USDA report 450 native bee species in California's Pinnacles National Park, including 48 new to the area since 2002. The park is now recognized as a national biodiversity hotspot for bees.
Researchers challenge long-standing assumption about varroa mites' diet; find they feed on fat body tissue, essential to honey bees' survival. This discovery could lead to more effective mite treatments and improved bee nutrition.
Researchers found a single gene mutation responsible for thelytoky syndrome, a phenomenon where worker bees ignore queen orders and reproduce on their own. The dominant Thelytoky (Th) gene requires only one copy to express selfish behavior, but its partner gene is necessary for fertility.
Researchers discovered that viruses associated with the varroa mite have spilled over into the western yellowjacket, a honeybee predator, causing a change in genetic diversity. This finding suggests that introducing non-native species can have far-reaching effects on ecosystems.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London discovered that bees can solve simple counting tasks with minimal brainpower, using a miniature 'brain' with just four nerve cells. This finding suggests that intelligence and cognitive abilities do not require large brains, but rather efficient algorithms and specific strategies.
The small hive beetle's genome has been published, providing crucial keys for better control methods, including insecticidal treatments and genetic solutions. The SHB has a strong gene-guided system that detoxifies many insecticides, allowing researchers to target specific pathways for effective control.
Engineers at the University of Washington have developed a sensing system that can ride on top of a bumblebee, allowing for long-term data collection without power constraints. The system uses a tiny rechargeable battery and a receiver to triangulate the bee's position, enabling precise location tracking.
New studies suggest that current pesticide regulations fail to account for potential health threats to non-honeybee bee species, which are equally important pollinators. Researchers are calling for more diverse models, such as solitary bees and bumblebees, to be included in risk assessments.
Researchers examine data on 660 bee species found within the monument's original boundaries, which is still home to 87% of these pollinators. The reduction in protected areas threatens 'edge' populations that could be first to go extinct due to climate change.
Scientists have created a lab-based method to monitor honey bee queen fertility, revealing the impact of worker nutrition on queen egg laying. The study found that worker bees fed with pollen paste resulted in slower egg laying rates for queens compared to those fed with bee bread.
Researchers identify fipronil as a potential cause of mass honey bee mortalities in France in the 1990s. Laboratory studies and modeling simulations suggest that fipronil, not imidacloprid, was more likely involved in colony collapse due to toxic bioaccumulation.
A novel scale-free mechanism guides the search of an artificial bee colony algorithm, improving its exploitation ability and maintaining population diversity. This enables a better balance between exploration and exploitation, leading to enhanced search ability in real-world optimization problems.
A study led by University of Vermont scientists reveals that wild bees are essential for larger and better blueberry yields, providing major benefits including greater berry size, quantity and earlier harvests. Maintaining natural bee habitat and reducing pesticide use can help protect wild bees.
Researchers mapped bee colonies' entire genetic make-up to identify emerging diseases threatening native populations. The study found that native bees may survive better in cooler climates than southern European relatives.
Researchers found that bees' speed decreases when entering a turn and increases when exiting, allowing them to maintain constant centripetal acceleration. Bees manage their speed to reduce 'sideslips' caused by excess centrifugal force, making turns with sharp forces more manageable.
A new study led by James Crall at Harvard University found that exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides has profound effects on a host of social behaviors in bees, including reduced nursing of larvae and decreased social interaction. The study also showed that pesticides impair bees' ability to regulate temperatures inside the nest.
Exposure to neonicotinoids like imidacloprid disrupts bee colony growth by reducing worker activity, feeding and larval care. This results in impaired thermoregulation, increased mortality and reduced colony sizes.
During the 2017 total solar eclipse, researchers captured a surprising phenomenon: bees stopped buzzing as Earth fell into complete darkness. The study, led by Candace Galen at the University of Missouri, found that bees did not use the unusual darkness as a cue for night and instead flew during periods of reduced light.
The study reveals that nearly half of Utah's bee species dwell within the monument's original boundaries, with over 660 species identified. This hotspot of bee diversity is attributed to the presence of 87% of Utah's flowering plant species within the monument's boundaries.
A recent study of native wild bees in Mexico's tropical dry forest found that preserved vegetation areas support significantly greater bee richness and diversity. Urbanization and agriculture lead to major shifts in species composition, threatening local extinctions.
Scientists have discovered intricate glycan structures in royal jelly, a substance believed to influence honeybee development. These findings challenge previous assumptions and may lead to a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between glycosylated proteins and signaling pathways.
A new study suggests up to 13% of US beekeepers are in danger of losing their colonies due to pesticides sprayed to contain the Zika virus. The researchers calculated the percentage of colonies that could be affected by comparing data on bee densities with areas at risk from Zika.
Research finds that bigger stingless bee species can fly better in high-temperature conditions than smaller counterparts. This contradicts the well-established temperature-size rule, which predicts that ectotherms should be larger in cold climates and smaller in hot ones.
Researchers found nearly 200 gene variations linked to social behavior in sweat bees, including 21 clustered near genes implicated in human autism. The study suggests a core set of genes play an important role in shaping social behavior across species.
Researchers found that queens and males are greatly affected by low-dose neonicotinoid pesticide exposure, threatening the stability and survival of wild bee populations. The study also reveals that exposure alters genes regulating biological functions such as locomotion, reproduction, immunity, and learning and memory.
Researchers monitored bee activity during the 2017 total solar eclipse and found that bees ceased flying during totality. The study, supported by a grant from the American Astronomical Society, engaged over 400 participants in setting up acoustic monitoring stations across the US.
Researchers found that wasp and bee stingers are softer at the tip than at the base, allowing for easier penetration. The study also showed that the stingers are about seven times more elastic at the tip than at the base, enabling them to penetrate deep while maintaining their structure.
A mushroom extract fed to honey bees greatly reduces virus levels, with a 79-fold reduction in deformed wing virus and a 45,000-fold reduction in Lake Sinai virus. The research shows promise for treating varroa mite-borne viruses and improving bee health.
Researchers at Hokkaido University discovered that social behavior in eusocial species like sweat bees is more attributed to cooperative behavior than genetic similarity. This finding challenges previous theories and suggests that the benefit of grouping is a key factor in the evolution of cooperation, including among humans.
A study by North Carolina State University found that sunflower pollen reduces infection rates in bees and improves colony health. However, it also had a deleterious effect on honey bees, leading to higher mortality rates compared to other diets.
Bees exhibit unique behavior when exposed to external loads, such as wind and rain. By analyzing their responses, researchers have gained insight into the collective problem-solving mechanisms of living systems.
A new UMass Amherst study found that eating sunflower pollen dramatically reduced a protozoan pathogen infection in bumble bees. The researchers also discovered that incorporating sunflowers into pollinator gardens could provide a simple solution to improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators.
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin finds that exposure to glyphosate, a common weed killer, reduces healthy gut microbiota in honey bees and makes them more vulnerable to infection. This compromise can lead to bee deaths, particularly when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.
The herbicide glyphosate reduces abundances of dominant gut microbiota species in exposed bees, making them more susceptible to pathogens. Bees with impaired gut microomes are more likely to die when exposed to opportunistic pathogens.
Moths have been found to carry pollen from various plant species, including crops such as peas and soybean, suggesting they may play an important ecological role in pollination. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of moths to plants and agricultural systems, potentially preventing inbreeding among plants.
Researchers found that people's dislike of wasps is largely due to a lack of knowledge about their role in regulating pest populations and disease-carrying insects. The study suggests that changing public attitudes towards wasps could help protect the ecosystem's biodiversity.
A beetle that tricks bees into carrying it into their nests has adapted its deceptions to local hosts, according to research. The larvae of the beetle lure male digger bees with chemical signals mimicking female sex pheromones, allowing them to feed on bee eggs and provisions.
Researchers found that geographically isolated populations of parasitic blister beetles use distinct adaptations to target different host bee species. The larvae emit chemical cues tailored to the pheromones of local hosts, attracting male bees and exploiting their nests.
The Brazilian stingless bee, Tetragonisca angustula, uses a unique defense strategy by positioning its hovering guards in an organized manner at the nest entrance. This allows for rapid detection and interception of intruders, improving nest vigilance.
The PoshBee EU Horizon 2020 project aims to support healthy bee populations and sustainable beekeeping practices in Europe. The project will integrate knowledge from academics, beekeepers, and farmers to quantify the exposure hazard of chemicals on bees and determine their impact on health.
Researchers observed 'antennal grabbing' behavior in three different cuckoo bee species in the genus Nomada, where males transfer pheromones during copulation. This phenomenon has been documented for the first time in this genus, shedding new light on the courtship and mating behaviors of these kleptoparasitic bees.
Researchers at York University found that inbreeding and disease are likely causes of the yellow-banded bumblebee's rapid decline in North America. The study reveals that bumblebees' immune genes are under selection, pointing to disease as a likely cause.
Scientists discovered that bees' quality of life is highest in gardens and biodiverse forests, while lowest in plantations. The decline of biodiversity is linked to bee extinction due to the lack of sufficient food and resources.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that removing timber harvest residue during logging can increase the abundance and diversity of wild bees. The study suggests that managing forests to promote soil-nesting bee habitats could be an effective strategy for conserving these important pollinators.
Researchers detected higher levels of chemical substances in Africanized honeybee brains than in gentler strains, triggering irascible behavior. The compounds also regulate food intake and digestion in flies and mice, illustrating molecular mechanisms underlying different species' behavior evolution.
A study conducted at Kruger park in South Africa found that honeybee pheromones safely repel elephants, showing promise for a safe elephant management tool. The pheromone-laden socks were effective in deterring elephants from approaching water holes, with 25 of 29 elephants moving away after getting close enough to smell the formulation.
A large-scale study confirms pesticides negatively affect bee learning and memory abilities, even at field-realistic dosages. Bees exposed to pesticides are less likely to learn and memorize rewarding scents.
Researchers detected pesticides in hummingbird cloacal fluid and fecal pellets, as well as in bumble bee pollen and blueberry flowers. The findings suggest pesticide exposure may impact the health and ecosystem services of these pollinators
Scientists used tiny radio tags attached to Asian hornets to track them to five previously undiscovered nests in southern France and Jersey. The technique has the potential to help protect Britain's beleaguered pollinator populations from the invasive species' devastating impact on honeybees and other pollinators.
A Northwestern University study found that climate change can push mason bees to their physiological limits, leading to high mortality rates and potentially driving local extinction. Bees in warmer environments emerged later, had smaller bodies, and lower body fat, making it harder for them to reproduce.
A team of researchers has identified 27 new viruses in bees from around the world, shedding light on the impact of viral pathogens on bee health and agriculture. The discovery was made using a novel high-throughput sequencing technique that efficiently detected both known and unknown viruses.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that bees are attracted to blue fluorescent light, particularly within a specific wavelength range of 430-480 nanometers. This finding has significant implications for bee population assessment and manipulation, such as attracting large numbers of bees for crop pollination.
Researchers taught bees to recognize 'greater than' and 'less than' inequalities, and they successfully applied this knowledge to understand the concept of zero. This groundbreaking study reveals that even with a limited number of neurons, insects can grasp abstract mathematical concepts.
Researchers at RMIT University found that honeybees can comprehend the concept of zero, a feat previously thought to be exclusive to humans and other intelligent species. This discovery has significant implications for developing artificial intelligence, as it suggests simpler approaches may be possible.
Researchers trained free-flying honey bees to recognize numbers from two to five, then introduced one and zero, demonstrating their ability to distinguish zero as lower than one.
New research reveals that honeybees preferentially select larvae with optimal nutritional status for emergency queen rearing. The study found that worker bees can distinguish between hungry and well-fed larvae, resulting in a higher success rate for queen production when non-deprived larvae are selected.