Articles tagged with Bees
Researchers found that social bees use chemical signals to mark flowers where they've been attacked, while solitary bees do not. The study suggests a link between sociability and the evolution of warning signals in bees.
Scientists have shown that caffeine enhances a honeybee's memory of floral traits, allowing them to remember flowers better. This discovery could lead to improved pollination and plant recruitment.
A new study reveals slight declines in bee species in the northeastern US over a 140-year period, with only three species of bumble bees experiencing rapid population collapse. Other bee species, such as the oil bee, show more gradual declines or increases in proportion.
A new study finds that idiopathic brood disease syndrome is the largest risk factor for predicting honey bee colony death, with a risk factor of 3.2. Queen events are also a significant contributor, with a risk factor of 3.1. The study highlights the need for further research into these health issues.
A large-scale study found that wild insects consistently enhance fruit set for a broad range of crops and agricultural practices on all continents. The researchers concluded that losses of wild insects from agricultural landscapes will likely impact both natural heritage and harvests.
A study published in Science reveals a significant decline in bee species in West Central Illinois since the late 1800s. Charles Robertson's records from the 19th century provided valuable insights into wild bee interactions, which are still relevant today.
Researchers discovered that the area has lost many species of bees and flowering plants, but found them surprisingly resilient in the face of warmer temperatures. The study used historical data to examine plant-pollinator interactions and found mismatches between plants and their historic pollinators due to climate change.
A recent study found that managed honey bees are less successful at pollinating crops than wild insects, highlighting the negative consequences of losing wild insect populations. The research emphasizes the need for integrated management practices to promote long-term agricultural production and enhance global crop yields.
Biologists Tiffany Knight and Laura Burkle studied a historic dataset from Charles Robertson's 19th-century naturalist work, revealing a weakened plant-pollinator network. The study found that half of the bee species associated with flowers had disappeared, pollinators were active before plants bloomed, and pollination services declined.
According to MIT researchers, human language may have originated in birdsong, combining an expression layer with a lexical layer. This combination triggered the emergence of complex communication patterns, including finite vocabularies and melodic capacity.
Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that flowers produce electric signals to attract pollinators like bumblebees. These signals can convey information about nectar and pollen reserves, improving flower-pollinator communication.
A new study published in the Journal of Media Psychology found that sports fans enjoy watching athletic events with high drama and suspense, regardless of the outcome. The researchers discovered that viewers root for heroic athletes and against unfavorable ones, yet report enjoying the game despite the winner.
Research suggests that reducing pavement and increasing natural habitat can improve nesting opportunities for wild bees. Bees will also forage further away from their home nest if the surrounding landscape is less heterogeneous, seeking out species-rich patches.
A simple and cost-effective monitoring system could detect two to five percent annual declines in bee populations with data from about 200 locations over five years. The program is estimated to cost $2 million and has already been used in several countries, providing valuable insights into global pollinator losses.
Researchers train honey bees to associate textured surfaces with sugar water, allowing them to analyze how antennal movement corresponds to tactile pattern recognition. The study provides insight into the complex behavior of honey bees and their use of active motion for sensory information.
Scientists have identified a 'histone code' in honey bees that helps control cell development and explains why they are sensitive to environmental changes. The discovery may also shed light on how royal jelly affects the sex of honey bee larvae.
A new study by Nayuta Brand and Michel Chapuisat found that queen sweat bees restrict the amount of food provided to their first brood, resulting in smaller female workers. This 'choosing' behavior ensures that daughters become workers rather than queens.
Researchers discovered that moths use two distinct olfactory channels to navigate their food sources. The first channel governs their innate preferences for certain flowers, while the second allows them to learn about alternate sources of nectar. This study provides insights into how moths survive in changing floral environments.
A study by Menzel and colleagues found that sleep-deprived bees struggled to form new memories, particularly in navigating alternative routes. In contrast, well-rested bees easily learned new routes after being displaced from familiar paths.
Research found that chronic exposure to two pesticides impaired natural foraging behaviour and increased worker mortality in bumblebee colonies. This led to significant reductions in colony success and increased rates of colony failure.
Research from York University suggests that worker bees' genes are shuffled frequently, allowing natural selection to build a better bee. This genetic 'remix' enables the evolution of charismatic and cooperative behaviors in honey bees.
Michigan State University has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the USDA to support specialty crop yields and profit through improved pollination management. The five-year project aims to develop region- and crop-specific Integrated Crop Pollination approaches using honey bees, wild bees, and alternative managed bees.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield and Sussex aim to build flying robots that can sense and act autonomously like bees. They will use computer models of the systems governing a honey bee's vision and sense of smell to achieve this goal.
Researchers discovered specific proteins in honey bees that help them resist Varroa mite infestations. These proteins enable the removal of infected larvae and reduce mite populations, promoting the survival of the species. This natural approach could provide a solution to Colony Collapse Disorder.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Norwegian University of Life Sciences found that resveratrol extends honey bee lifespan by 33-38%, reducing food intake. The compound triggers a moderation effect, making bees less sensitive to sugar concentrations.
Scientists tracked bumblebees to understand their route selection process. After an average of 26 attempts each bee refined its route through trial and error, selecting the most efficient path. The study revealed that bees don't easily forget a fruitful flower and can learn complex routes without visual cues.
Scientists tracked bumblebees in a field setting to study how they select optimal routes to collect nectar. After repeated trials, bees refined their paths, using mathematical models to understand their learning process and optimize their routes.
Researchers found 155 regions of DNA with different tag patterns in bees, which were mostly regulatory genes known to affect other genes. The epigenetic marks were reversible and connected to the bees' behavior, with more than half of those regions already identified among the original 155 regions.
The pollination services provided by insects like bees and hover-flies are crucial for global food production, but declining pollinators threaten this ecosystem service. The loss of pollinators could lead to reduced crop yields and decreased fruit and vegetable availability, exacerbating food insecurity.
Recent research reveals five new species of cuckoo bees from the Cape Verde Islands, demonstrating the region's rich biodiversity and evolutionary diversity. The discovery highlights a phenomenon known as 'island gigantism,' where isolated populations exhibit increased body size.
Royal jelly's composition can be modified to change the body size of queen bees during development, with a potential impact on human health. The study uses histone deacetylase inhibitors to create super RJ, leading to increased larva growth and potential health benefits.
Researchers discovered that older honey bees effectively reverse brain aging when they take on nest responsibilities typically handled by younger bees. The study found changes in molecular structure of their brains, including the presence of proteins that can help protect against dementia.
A study by Arizona State University researchers identified a possible molecular link between sweet taste perception and the state of internal energy in honey bees. By suppressing two genes, they discovered that bees can become more sensitive to sweet taste, similar to people with Type 1 diabetes.
A study by researchers in Hawaii and the UK reveals that Varroa mites facilitate the spread of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) among honey bees. The mite's presence increases DWV frequency from 10% to 100%, leading to massive colony losses and a single 'virulent' strain emerging.
Researchers at University of Cambridge discovered that conical cells on plant petals provide crucial grip for bees, increasing pollinator preference. The study reveals that these cells help bees land on flowers even in windy conditions.
A study by UC San Diego biologists found that a small dose of imidacloprid, a commonly used crop pesticide, makes honey bees more selective and less willing to feed on low-sugar nectar. This can lead to reduced food stores and communication among the colony.
A case study reported a severe anaphylactic reaction to bee pollen in a woman with seasonal allergies. The authors warn healthcare providers and patients about the potential risk of allergic reactions to bee pollen supplements, particularly among individuals with no known allergy history.
Researchers found that high selenium concentrations in nectar and pollen had no effect on honey bees' foraging behavior, but affected their sucrose response and led to early mortality. The study suggests that selenium may not be the primary cause of Colony Collapse Disorder.
Promiscuous queen bees on Hainan Island and other locations keep their colonies healthy by maintaining a diverse gene pool. By mating with multiple males, they ensure the combination of complementary sex determination genes is kept diverse.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health finds a link between imidacloprid and Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in honeybees. The researchers discovered that even low levels of the pesticide can cause hive collapse, highlighting the potential impact on agriculture.
Research from North Carolina State University reveals that honey bees increase propolis collection by 45% when infected with harmful fungi, providing a natural antifungal agent to protect their colony. The bees also physically remove infected larvae to prevent fungal spores from spreading.
Two studies found that neonicotinoid insecticides harm bumblebees by reducing food intake and queen production, while impairing honeybees' homing abilities, leading to increased mortality. The pesticides can also interfere with bees' behavior, posing a threat to pollination.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the stomachs of wild honey bees contain a diverse range of healthy lactic acid bacteria that can combat bacterial infections and diseases in both bees and humans. The researchers also discovered that these beneficial bacteria are lost when commercially farmed bees are treated with antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered that Japanese honeybees use a novel defense mechanism when threatened by Asian giant hornets, creating a 'hot defensive bee ball' to cook the hornet. This behavior differs from European honeybees and is associated with increased neural activity in higher brain centers.
Gene Kritsky will give the Entomology Founders' Memorial Award lecture at Entomology 2012, honoring Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Dr. Kritsky's research has significantly contributed to understanding periodical cicadas and apiculture.
A new study found that genetically diverse honey bee populations produce healthier colonies with a greater variety of active bacterial species, including beneficial probiotics and helpful microbes. This diversity is linked to improved nutrition and reduced loads of pathogenic bacteria.
A recent study by IU biologist Irene Newton found that genetically diverse honey bee colonies have fewer pathogens and more beneficial bacteria. The research also identified four important microbes associated with fermentation in humans and other animals.
A study by University of Illinois professor Gene Robinson found that honey bees differ in their desire to perform tasks, with certain individuals more likely to seek adventure. The research suggests that these differences may be due to variability in personalities.
A study reveals that heavy metal pollution from smelters causes a decline in wild bee communities, with up to 50% of dead bees found in heavily contaminated sites. The findings highlight the need for careful restoration of polluted areas to protect these vital pollinators.
Viewers consider advertising more favorable after watching a close, exciting game, according to a study by Oregon State University. The level of suspense in both the game and ad was found to be the most important factor in increasing positive responses towards the ad and brand.
Researchers at Purdue University have found a link between honeybee deaths and exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides used on corn and soybean seeds. High levels of these pesticides were detected in talc waste, soil, and pollen collected by bees, suggesting that they may be contributing to bee deaths.
Researchers at San Francisco State University have discovered a fly parasite in honey bee hives, which may help explain the mysterious phenomenon of colony collapse disorder. The parasite, found only in California and South Dakota, causes bees to abandon their hives and behave 'zombie-like'.
A new study by NHM entomologist Dr. Brian Brown and others reveals the tiny but deadly phorid fly poses a significant threat to North American beekeeping. The research sheds light on hive abandonment behaviors seen in Colony Collapse Disorder, potentially providing a partial explanation for these catastrophic losses.
Research by Cornell University and Rutgers University found that bees and flowering plants are keeping pace with climate change, arriving earlier in the spring. This shift has been observed since 1970, when warming temperatures accelerated most rapidly, according to the study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers found that swarms of bees can inhibit rival nest sites through a 'stop signal' behavior, preventing indecision and promoting efficient nesting choices. This behavior is similar to how humans make decisions, with individual bees targeting their stop signals only at rivals within the colony.
Honey bee swarms face a decision when finding multiple potential nest sites, using stop signals similar to those in primate brains to shorten dances and end the recruitment process. This cross inhibition helps ensure a single optimal site is chosen, avoiding deadlocks between equal-quality alternatives.
A new study reveals that bee swarms use inhibitory 'stop signals' to inhibit competing sites and choose the best option, similar to how neurons in human brains make decisions. This mechanism helps avoid costly dithering and ensures a single site is chosen.
A study by Norwegian University of Life Sciences reveals that more vitellogenin in bees leads to better health and longer life. The protein guides social tasks, supports immune function, and is an antioxidant that promotes stress resistance.
A new model explains the emergence of complex insect societies by positing that workers' selfish interests drive colony formation. This hypothesis suggests that at the early stages of social evolution, workers and queens act primarily in their own self-interest, rather than altruistically helping relatives.
A team of scientists at Arizona State University has made new discoveries about the role of insulin pathways and partner proteins in determining a honey bee's caste fate. They found that blocking certain proteins can force larvae to develop into workers, but also allowed them to develop into queens by providing hormone treatments.