Articles tagged with Bees
Researchers found that bumble bees create more efficient foraging routes when larger flowers are available, as they can quickly recognize and navigate to the next nearest flower. This study suggests that learning is a choice that foragers make based on the cost-benefit balance of learning, depending on circumstances.
Two large-scale field studies reveal that neonicotinoids harm bees by reducing reproductive success and survival, with effects varying by environment. Neonicotinoid exposure also impairs worker bee life expectancy and queen colony stability.
A recent field study found that neonicotinoid pesticides reduce honeybee colony survival and overwintering success in two European countries. Exposure to treated crops also decreases reproductive success in wild bee species, highlighting the need for further research on mitigation strategies.
A study from North Carolina State University found that common wild bee species decline as urban temperatures rise. The researchers used a lab test to predict how whole populations will fare at higher temperatures in urban areas, finding that the least heat-tolerant species are most affected.
Researchers found that simulated honeybees with removed mushroom body circuits performed well in odor learning tasks, using a simple neural circuit previously associated with instinctive behaviors. This suggests that even the simplest nervous systems can exhibit remarkable plasticity and adaptability.
Researchers found that foraging honeybees and nurse bees have synchronized circadian clocks, despite their constant activity. The study reveals that a functional clock is crucial for these animals, even in environments without day-night cycles.
The USDA has allocated $6.8 million for seven research and extension grants focused on pollinator health, addressing declining populations of managed and wild pollinators. These projects aim to promote pollinator health, reduce honey bee colony losses, and restore habitats.
Researchers found that probiotics can improve immunity in fruit flies exposed to pesticides, a common model for studying honey bee effects. This mechanism could lead to improved survival rates for honey bees exposed to pesticide toxins, with potential benefits for agriculture and human health.
A study published in PNAS found that halictid bees have more sensory machinery on their antennae compared to solitary species, suggesting a link between social behavior evolution and communication. The research suggests that sensilla density may be an important precursor to the evolution of social behavior.
Researchers have developed a genetically engineered mosquito-killing fungus that can target disease-carrying mosquitoes with high efficiency, while being safe for humans and other insects. The fungus uses spider and scorpion toxins to block calcium and potassium channels in the mosquito's nervous system.
Bee health expert Lynn Adler is studying the impact of sunflower pollen on honeybees and bumblebees. Her research aims to explore whether sunflower pollen can help bees fight off a common pathogen, potentially leading to new commercial products to support bee health.
A new method using microphones has been developed to track pollinating bees, which could save farms money by predicting bee activity and pollination services. The researchers recorded bee buzzing sounds using inexpensive equipment and compared them to visual counts, achieving high accuracy.
Researchers developed an inexpensive acoustic listening system to monitor bees in flight, allowing farmers to track pollination and increase food production. The technology, published in PLOS ONE, could also engage global 'citizen scientists' in monitoring bee activity in their backyards.
Researchers found distinct genetic variations in mountain and savannah honey bees that help them adapt to high altitudes. The study reveals a shared evolutionary history between the two sub-species.
Researchers found that guard bees are significantly larger and more robust than foragers in 10 out of 28 stingless bee species analyzed. The evolution of guards with increased size likely relates to the risk of attack by parasitic robber bees, which is a common threat to many stingless bee species.
A study by University of Michigan researchers found that bumblebee populations are higher in Detroit than surrounding less-urbanized areas. Vacant lots may provide essential nesting sites and food sources for the bees. The results suggest that urban landscapes can be managed to support native bee conservation.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London found that nicotine-laced nectar enhances bumblebees' learning of flower colors and creates addiction-like behavior. The study suggests plants may manipulate pollinator behavior using psychoactive substances like nicotine.
Researchers find that Varroa mite populations are growing and spreading in managed bee colonies due to close proximity and lack of swarming. The study suggests new integrated pest management strategies are needed to control the migratory pest.
Agricultural production improves hive health by providing adequate food resources and nectar yields, outweighing pesticide risks. Bees in agricultural areas had better colony thermoregulation and higher brood production than those in non-agricultural environments.
Researchers found that neonicotinoid pesticide thiamethoxam impairs honey bee flight ability, affecting their ability to collect food and pollinate crops. Long-term exposure can be fatal, while short-term exposure increases activity levels but decreases accuracy of flight.
Flowers that attract hummingbirds have specific characteristics that also deter bumblebees, with certain combinations of traits discouraging wasteful visits. Bees have difficulty learning to combine red with other sensory traits, making it economic sense for them to avoid bird flowers.
A new study suggests that human activity is driving the spread of honey bee pathogens, leading to colony losses. The research argues for collective actions to mitigate this issue, including stronger regulations and increased education among beekeepers.
Research reveals that honey bees can see objects as small as 1.9°, 30% better than previously recorded, and detect smaller details, improving navigation and survival. This discovery has implications for understanding insect vision and could aid in designing bio-inspired robotics.
Researchers sequenced Africanized bee genomes to understand their success. They identified a region linked to ovary size and foraging strategy, key traits for adaptation and dispersal. Hybridization between different populations led to the creation of new genetic variants, contributing to the bees' exceptional abilities.
Fast-learning bumblebees collect fewer resources and have shorter foraging careers, according to a new U of G study. The researchers found that the energy demands of intelligence may eat up limited resources, leaving smart bees with less energy.
A recent study reveals that rearranging nest boxes increases the return of blue orchard bees to managed sites, leading to higher nesting success and potential for sustainable commercial pollination. The experiment found a uniform nest-box distribution resulted in significantly higher nesting by all three factors measured.
Researchers discovered five species of bacteria that have been passed down from generation to generation in social bees for 80 million years. These symbiotic bacteria are a key part of the biology of social bees and can cause health problems if disrupted.
Researchers found that a pollinator's size significantly influences how much pollen is deposited, with bees fitting tightly into flowers to vibrate and unlock pollen. This discovery helps understand natural populations of nightshade plants and their pollinators.
New research finds that commonly used fungicides in almond orchards can be harmful to honey bees, leading to a significant reduction in their survival rate. The study's findings suggest that bees may face danger from chemical applications even when responsibly applied.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that honey bees favor agricultural areas over urban neighborhoods for nectar and pollen. The discovery suggests that farmland can be a superior source of food for honey bees, contradicting the assumption that urban areas are more attractive to them.
Researchers found that antibiotic-treated honeybees were half as likely to survive, with gut microbes disrupted and harmful bacteria increased. The study suggests that overuse of antibiotics may contribute to colony collapse and has implications for human health.
Researchers found that plants pollinated by bumblebees became more fragrant and had larger flowers with greater UV color component. In contrast, plants pollinated by hoverflies were smaller and less fragrant, with increased self-pollination.
Researchers discovered bumblebees can recognize scents left by family members, sisters, and unrelated individuals. This ability helps them remember visited flowers and make informed decisions about food sources.
Researchers observed two bee species using green plastic to construct brood cells, a novel behavior that may reflect adaptive traits for survival. The study highlights the innovative nesting strategies employed by bees in response to environmental changes.
An international team of researchers identified a core set of genes involved in honey bee responses to viruses and parasites. The findings provide new possibilities for breeding more resilient honey bee stocks and understanding pathogen interactions with other insects.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London trained bumblebees to roll a mini-ball into a goal, demonstrating unprecedented learning abilities. The study found that bees learned more efficiently when observing a skilled demonstrator, suggesting complex cognitive flexibility.
Researchers found that bees can solve a complex task by watching others, even improving upon the original process, and that observation is enough to learn the behavior, unlike simply copying it.
Researchers discovered that stingless bees have evolved larger guard bees to protect their nests from robber bees, leading to a more marked division of labor. This phenomenon is linked to the frequency of attacks by parasitic robbers, which has driven the evolution of this specialized caste.
The genome of the parasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae has been sequenced to better understand its interaction with honey bees and develop effective control strategies. The study revealed specific features in the mite genome shaped by its parasitic life history, highlighting the need for new targets in controlling the mites.
A new mobile app developed by University of Vermont researchers aims to help farmers protect endangered bees by calculating crop productivity and pollination benefits. The app allows users to explore land management scenarios and virtually test how bee-friendly decisions would improve their business.
The study reveals wild bees are disappearing in US farmlands, including California, the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, threatening crop production. The 'trouble zone' counties face a potential mismatch between rising demand for pollination and falling supply of wild bees, highlighting the need for habitat restoration efforts.
A team of UA researchers used RFID tags to study bumblebee behavior, discovering that individual workers specialize on one food source per day. The results show vast variations in foraging activity among bees, with the most active foragers making 40 times more trips than less active workers.
A new study from researchers at UC Davis and UC Berkeley reveals the population structure of honey bees in California, shedding light on their origins. The research combines large databases to provide a comprehensive sampling of honey bees across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
A new study from Tufts University reveals that honey bees fine-tune their nutrient-seeking behavior based on the seasonality of their floral diet. Bees forage for minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium in water sources that reflect what's lacking in their pollen-based diet.
Researchers tested a reproductive ground plan hypothesis in solitary alkali bees, finding female bees adjust dietary preferences when reproductively active. The study suggests independent origins of social behavior via convergent processes.
A national analysis of 13 years' data reveals that Australia's venomous creatures pose a significant public health threat. Bees and wasps are responsible for the most hospital admissions, followed by spider bites and snake bites, with anaphylactic shock being a major contributor to fatalities.
A study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that traditional farming practices on the Yucatán Peninsula create attractive habitats for native sweat bees, improving pollination services. The researchers discovered that moderate farming with slash-and-burn practices has no direct negative impact on native bee populations.
A widely used crop chemical, Sylgard 309, increases the susceptibility of honey bee larvae to a deadly virus, Black Queen Cell Virus. This finding suggests that exposure to organosilicone adjuvants negatively influences immunity in honey bee larvae, resulting in enhanced pathogenicity and mortality.
Researchers discovered nine new species of Perdita bees in the American Southwest, filling an important role in natural ecosystems. The 'ant-like' males have a unique form and may spend time in nests, while females collect pollen to nourish their young.
The California Academy of Sciences has added 133 new plant and animal species to the world's family tree, including a deep-sea fish, sharks, ants, beetles, birds, and coral. These discoveries were made by over a dozen scientists and collaborators across five continents and three oceans.
Honeybee memories may hold clues to understanding human long-term memory formation and combating degenerative brain diseases. DNA methylation plays a crucial role in regulating memory specificity, with implications for treating conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.
Researchers found that the Anthophora pueblo bees use water to excavate sandstone, creating durable shelters that protect them from erosion and parasite buildup. This unique adaptation allows the bees to survive in drought-prone desert ecosystems.
A new study by UCL finds that treating bees with light therapy can counteract the harmful effects of neonicotinoid pesticides, significantly improving survival rates and mobility. The researchers used deep red light to improve mitochondrial function and ATP production, enabling bees to recover from pesticide exposure.
Researchers developed a new laboratory system to study the deformed wing virus, showing viral antigens in all body areas, particularly in gland tissue. The discovery could lead to targeted strategies against disease-causing viruses and improve bee colony survival.
Researchers found that bees consider multiple factors, such as strong odour and visual appearance, when deciding on flowers to visit. Bees also form memories of previous experiences and receive feedback from their nest to inform their foraging decisions.
The discovery of the Moku virus highlights a new threat to bees worldwide, particularly honey bees that pollinate vital crops. The novel pathogen has the potential to spread globally and cause widespread harm to honey bee colonies.
A man developed acute hepatitis from consuming energy drinks, while another patient suffered serious heart complications after multiple bee stings. A third patient, an opium smoker, was diagnosed with lead poisoning due to contaminated tobacco products.
Researchers found that flowering ornamentals can provide critical biological services such as pollination and biological controls. The study identified 74 commercially available annual and perennial plant species that attracted a diverse population of pollinators and beneficial insects, including hoverflies, skippers, and native bees.
A recent study found that no single protein in royal jelly determines a honeybee's queen development. Instead, the nutrient mix is essential for larval growth and caste determination. The researchers' experiments produced intercastes with characteristics of both workers and queens.
A field study found pesticide exposure can impact bumblebee colonies, reducing queen and male production, which underpins colony success. The study provided a controlled method to assess long-term effects of pesticides on colony health.