Bee flower choices altered by exposure to pesticides
Bumblebee foraging behavior altered by low levels of pesticides, changing floral preferences and hindering learning skills.
Bees
Articles tagged with Bees
57 different pesticides found in poisoned honeybees
A new study reveals that European honeybees are being poisoned with up to 57 different pesticides, posing a threat to bee populations worldwide. The researchers developed a method for analyzing 200 pesticides simultaneously, providing critical information on the toxic mix and its impact on honeybee health.
Study finds more social insects have weaker immune response, highlights role of hygiene
Research from North Carolina State University found that eusocial insects with larger colonies exhibit weaker immune responses. The study suggests that hygiene behaviors play a key role in keeping these insects healthy, rather than just immune systems.
Bees 'dumb down' after ingesting tiny doses of the pesticide chlorpyrifos
A study from the University of Otago suggests that low levels of chlorpyrifos in bees can lead to severe learning and memory deficits. Researchers found that even 'safe' doses of the pesticide affect odour-learning abilities and recall, potentially threatening bee survival.
Flowers tone down the iridescence of their petals and avoid confusing bees
Researchers found that flowers with imperfect iridescence are easier for bees to spot than those with perfect iridescence, which can confuse bees' color recognition. This subtle signal allows flowers to communicate with bees without interfering with their ability to distinguish between colors.
UI scientist: Honeybee hive collapse mystery rooted in hive size
Research led by UI Scientist Brian Dennis finds honeybees' decline rooted in hive size, which becomes unstable when cooperative functions are degraded. The study proposes regional pesticide management and conservation programs to help honeybees.
Old data may provide new insights on honey bee populations
Researchers used three long-term datasets to analyze honey bee population trends, identifying the USDA Census of Agriculture as the most accurate dataset for measuring changes in abundance. However, they acknowledged limitations of the data, including lack of information on colony usage and losses.
Researchers find the tipping point between resilience and collapse in complex systems
A new tool using statistical physics can identify the tipping point for complex systems, predicting their collapse. This prediction enables early intervention and recovery measures to be taken, ensuring the system's resilience is maintained.
Forget butterflies and bees, box like an ant: Study measures speed of trap-jaw ant boxing
Researchers measured trap-jaw ant speed in high-speed cameras, finding species range from 19.5 to 41.5 strikes per second, with Odontomachus brunneus recording the fastest recorded speed. Understanding antennal boxing can inform our understanding of ant sociology and behavior.
Rare bumble bee may be making a comeback in Pacific northwest
A recent study suggests that the Bombus occidentalis bumble bee may be making a comeback in the Pacific Northwest. The population's resurgence is believed to be linked to evolution and a decline in the impact of the Nosema parasite. This reversal could have significant implications for local ecosystems.
From allergens to anodes: Pollen derived battery electrodes
Purdue University researchers have discovered that pollen-derived carbon architectures can be used as anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The study found that the cattail pollen-based carbon performed better than bee pollen, with a higher theoretical capacity of 200 milliamp hours per gram.
Bee virus spread manmade and emanates from Europe
A study found that European honeybee populations are the primary source of Deformed Wing Virus infecting hives worldwide. The pandemic is driven by human trade and transportation of bees for crop pollination, posing significant threats to global bee populations and biodiversity.
How queen bees control the princesses : ANU media release
Researchers found that queen bees emit a chemical pheromone that alters the DNA of their daughters, keeping them as sterile and industrious workers. This process involves DNA methylation, which suppresses queenly characteristics in workers.
Conflict among honey bee genes supports theory of altruism
Research supports theory of kin selection, suggesting that altruistic behavior occurs to pass genes to next generation. Genes inherited from queen promote altruistic behavior in worker bees, while those from father's promote selfish behavior.
Wild bee decline threatens US crop production
The US has identified key agricultural regions at high risk for wild bee decline, which could destabilize crop production. The study suggests 39% of croplands face a pollinator shortage, with the Midwest's corn belt and California's Central Valley particularly affected.
Headbanging Aussie bee takes a heavy metal approach to pollination
Researchers discovered that Australian blue-banded bees use high-speed headbanging to pollinate flowers, releasing pollen into the air similar to a salt and pepper shaker. This technique allows for more efficient pollination, with the bee vibrating the flower up to 350 times per second.
Neonicotinoid pesticides linked to butterfly declines in the UK
A UK study by University of Stirling researchers found that neonicotinoid pesticide use is linked to declining butterfly populations, with 15 species showing population declines. The chemicals can persist in the environment and contaminate wildflowers, providing little nourishment for butterflies.
Study suggests bees aren't the be all and end all for crop pollination
A recent study led by the University of Queensland found that non-bee insect pollinators, such as flies and butterflies, are crucial for crop pollination. These insects performed 25-50% of total flower visits and provided similar pollination services to bees.
Sex determination in ants
Researchers at OIST discovered two ancient genetic components involved in sex determination in ants. The study found that a mechanism called complementary sex determination is used, where females are diploid and males are haploid. This system has been linked to the evolution of sex determining genes dating back over 100 million years.
How DNA and a supercomputer can help sustain honey bee populations
Researchers used DNA sequencing and a supercomputer to analyze pollen from beehives, identifying key plants bees rely on. The multi-locus metabarcoding approach provides quantitative measurements of plant proportions, helping to enhance landscapes and sustain robust bee populations.
The first human uses of beeswax have been established in Anatolia in 7000 BCE
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of beeswax use dating back to the Neolithic period in Anatolia, with finds spanning from 7000 to 4900 BCE. The study reveals that beeswax was used for various purposes, including tools, rituals, cosmetics, and medicine.
Fossilized bees were finicky pollen collectors
A study found that fossilized bees from 50 million years ago were finicky about the pollen they fed their larvae, always collecting it from the same plants. The bees also ate a wide variety of things on their own flights, showing they didn't waste time searching for specific food sources.
Ancient bees gathered pollen in 2 ways
Researchers discovered that ancient bees used both generalist and specialist pollen-collecting strategies, finding pollen from diverse flowers on their bodies except for the hind legs. This finding challenges previous theories about the early history of bee pollination.
Male bees have more than a one-track mind
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found male bumblebees equal to female worker bees in learning floral colors. The study showed that male bees can learn new flower colors as indicators for nectar even when the original color changes.
Early farmers exploited beehive products at least 8,500 years ago
Researchers detected beeswax in ancient pottery vessels from over 150 European archaeological sites, indicating a widespread association between early farmers and honeybees. This discovery pushes back the chronology of human-honeybee association to substantially earlier dates.
Managed bees spread and intensify diseases in wild bees
A recent review article by UC Riverside-led researcher Peter Graystock highlights the risks of managed bees to wild bees, including disease transmission and population declines. The study recommends improved disease screening, unified international regulations, and conservation efforts to mitigate these effects.
Vibrating bees tell the state of the hive
Researchers developed a prototype device that can remotely monitor hive activity using vibrations from bee vocalizations, allowing for real-time tracking of changes in bee behavior. The device has been tested on two UK and French colonies, detecting daily rhythms and seasonal variations in bee activity.
Urban environments boost pathogen pressure on honey bees
Researchers found that urban areas have higher pathogen abundance and lower honey bee survival rates compared to rural environments. The study suggests that increased transmission rates in urban areas may be the primary cause of this effect.
Genomic project gets $7.3 million to breed Canadian winter-hardy honeybees
A $7.3 million genomic project in Canada is developing a winter-hardy, disease-resistant breed of honeybees to combat declining health and economic losses. The research aims to improve bee health through the identification of genetic markers and the development of accurate tests for detecting Africanized genetics.
Native field-foraging bees exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides and other pesticides
A study by the USGS found that native bees are exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides and other pesticides, particularly in agricultural fields and grasslands. The presence of these pesticides can harm bee populations and reproductive success.
Wimps or warriors? Honey bee larvae absorb the social culture of the hive, study finds
Researchers found that honey bee larvae acquire social information from their environment, which affects their aggression and resilience. The study suggests that early-life experiences shape the behavior of adult bees, with aggressive individuals exhibiting increased resistance to pesticides.
Simpler method for measuring viral infections in bees
Researchers at Aarhus University have created a model that groups the incidence of viral infections into four categories, allowing beekeepers to easily assess the severity of infections. This simplified system benefits both scientists and beekeepers, enabling them to make informed decisions about disease prevention and breeding.
Vibrations tell bees where mates are from
Researchers found that red mason bee females prefer males from their own region based on specific vibration patterns. This discovery suggests that vibrational signals carry complex information about a male's place of origin.
These social bees farm and eat fungus or die
Researchers have discovered that a Brazilian social bee must cultivate fungus to survive, highlighting the importance of symbiotic relationships in colony health. The fungus is grown in the nest and is transferred to newly built cells, with larvae surviving 76% of the time when fed fungal mycelia.
Scents and sense ability: Diesel fumes alter half the flower smells bees need
Research suggests that diesel fumes, containing toxic nitrous oxide (NOx), can alter five common floral odours that bees rely on for finding food. This could have a worse impact on bee populations than previously thought, highlighting the need to address air pollution from vehicles.
Buzzing bees can't resist caffeinated nectar
Researchers found that caffeinated nectar tricks honey bees into valuing it as a higher quality forage, leading to increased foraging and recruitment behaviors. The study suggests that plants may be using caffeine as a way to deceive pollinators.
Study finds glyphosate and acetamiprid to have relatively low toxicity for honey bees
Researchers tested 42 pesticides in a realistic field setting, finding that glyphosate and acetamiprid showed little to no toxicity to honey bees. This study suggests these pesticides could be effective alternatives to other, more toxic options.
Threat posed by 'pollen thief' bees uncovered
A new University of Stirling study has uncovered the secrets of 'pollen thief' bees, which take pollen from flowers without providing pollination services. The research found that these smaller bees often stay longer at each flower and visit fewer flowers in each run, contributing little to seed production.
One new fly species, zero dead bodies: First insect description solely from photographs
A new bee fly species, Marleyimyia xylocopae, is described based solely on high-resolution photographs. The researchers emphasize the importance of alternative methods in species description due to difficulties in obtaining permits for collecting specimens.
Nectar thieves are damaging rare orchids in North Dakota
Researchers have found that hawk moths and bumble bees are damaging rare orchids in North Dakota by stealing nectar without providing pollination services. The long-tongued hawk moth species are particularly problematic, as they have tongues longer than the orchid's spur, allowing them to access nectar without paying for it.
Flower declines shrink bee tongues
A new study finds that climate-related changes in flower diversity are causing a significant shortening of alpine bumble bees' tongues, making them poorly suited to feed from deep flowers they were adapted to. This loss of mutualism highlights how climate change can decouple well-established relationships between bees and plants.
Bush Blitz: The largest Australian nature discovery project finds 4 new bee species
The study introduces a new Barcoding of Life project, AUSBS, to identify Australian native bees. Four new species were recognized as part of the largest Australian nature discovery project Bush Blitz, using molecular and morphological evidence.
Study shows Africanized bees continue to spread in California
Researchers have found that more than 60 percent of the foraging honey bees in San Diego County are Africanized, and that Africanized bees can now be found as far north as California's delta region. The study suggests that the northward expansion of Africanized bees in California is consistent with patterns previously documented in Texas.
Parasitized bees are self-medicating in the wild, Dartmouth-led study finds
Bumblebees infected with a common intestinal parasite are drawn to flowers rich in medicinal compounds, which may help combat bee species decline. The study found that bees alter their foraging behavior to maximize consumption of beneficial plant chemicals.
Beyond royal jelly: Study identifies plant chemical that determines a honey bee's caste
A study at the University of Illinois identified p-coumaric acid as a key factor in determining honey bee caste. The research found that larvae fed with beebread and honey containing p-coumaric acid undergo changes in gene expression, shifting them away from queen development.
Honey bees rapidly evolve to overcome new disease
A research team led by Alexander Mikheyev found a population of wild bees in Ithaca, New York, that has retained its strength despite the presence of Varroa destructor mites since the mid-1990s. The bees have developed genetic resistance to the disease.
Flowers can endanger bees
Researchers found four common bee parasites dispersed via flowers, causing diseases such as lethargy, dysentery, and colony collapse. The study suggests planting more flowers can provide bees with options, reducing parasite spread.
How bees naturally vaccinate their babies
Researchers from Arizona State University and other institutions discovered how bees immunize their offspring against specific diseases using the bee blood protein vitellogenin. This process enables bee babies to better fight diseases once they are born, opening doors for creating edible vaccines for insects.
Pesticides found in most pollen collected from foraging bees in Massachusetts
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that over 70% of pollen and honey samples collected from foraging bees in Massachusetts contain neonicotinoids, a class of pesticide linked to Colony Collapse Disorder. The study suggests that these pesticides pose significant risks to bee health and human exposure.
Tagged bees causing a buzz in disease research
Researchers tracked individual bees to study the effect of a low-dose gut parasite, nosema, on their behavior. Infected bees were found to be less efficient foragers, carrying less pollen and dying younger.
Study reveals alarming effects of climate change on bumble bees
Researchers have found that climate change is causing widespread declines of pollinators across continents, affecting critical roles played by bumble bees as wild pollinators. The study reveals that bumble bee species are being compressed into their northernmost ranges, leading to alarming effects on ecosystems.
Buzz the alarm: Climate change puts squeeze on bumblebees
A comprehensive study found that global warming is shrinking the habitat range of bumblebees, leading to a continental-scale decline. The research suggests that climate change is not the only threat, but rather a key factor in the rapid losses of terrain from the south and lagging expansion in the warming north.
Examining the neonicotinoid threat to honey bees
Researchers found that sunlight can degrade neonicotinoids in water, but not always quickly enough to protect aquatic life and bees. In shallow depths of just 3 inches, certain insecticides persisted, increasing exposure risks for wildlife.
Mitochondrial metagenomics: How '-omics' is saving wild bees
A new approach developed by scientists from the China National Genebank (CNGB), BGI-Shenzhen demonstrates the value of mitochondrial genome databases in detecting wild bees in UK farms. The method uses mitogenome references to analyze 'bee soup' DNA, providing a more accurate and efficient way to track population trajectories.
'Bee soup' could help understand declines and test remedies
A new DNA sequencing method allows for efficient tracking of wild bee populations, enabling conservationists to detect decline trends and test remedies. The 'bee soup' technique can quickly identify species diversity and abundance in a single sample, saving time and money compared to traditional methods.
What bee-killing mites can teach us about parasite evolution
Researchers found that plant-derived tick repellents activate a sensory protein on mite front legs, influencing their survival. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary plasticity of TRP channels in parasite-host interactions.
Insect legs give clues to improving aircraft design
Researchers study insect leg shapes to improve thin-walled tube safety in aircraft and hospital equipment. They find that non-circular cross sections can be designed without compromising mechanical strength, inspired by nature.
Surprisingly few 'busy bees' make global crops grow
A major international study reveals that only two percent of wild bee species are responsible for pollinating 80 percent of global crops. This finding underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity, particularly among common wild bee species such as the common eastern bumblebee and red-tailed bumblebee.
What can people and bees teach us about collective behavior?
Researchers will study how individual variation and behavioral plasticity impact group performance, with both human subjects and bees completing collaborative tasks.
Bumble bees in the last frontier
A two-year study on bumble bees in Alaskan agricultural areas reveals declining populations of the western bumble bee species Bombus occidentalis, which is infected with Nosema and social parasites. The research provides baseline data for understanding reported patterns of bumble bee declines in North America.