Articles tagged with Bees
Researchers discovered that a widely used bee antibiotic increases susceptibility to pesticides, contributing to colony collapse disorder. The study suggests that oxytetracycline interacts with specific proteins in the bees, rendering them more vulnerable to toxic chemicals.
A new study found that the evolutionary shaping of floral scents in oil-secreting orchids is more closely tied to their genetic history than to natural selection driven by specific pollinators. Researchers discovered that scent profiles fell along phylogenetic lines, even when different bee species were involved.
Scientists have discovered two new, closely related bee species on Coiba Island in Panama, which originated from a group of stingless bees that moved into Central America. The presence of one of these new species on the island raises questions about Panama's geological history and biodiversity.
The Entomological Foundation recognizes outstanding contributions to integrated pest management, including the ECB Team Award for areawide suppression of the European Corn Borer. The foundation also awards research grants to postdoctoral scientists working on pest insects, such as Christelle Guédot.
A study by MIT researchers found that bees and similar nectar feeders are most efficient when feeding on more sugary, or viscous, nectar, while suction feeders prefer less sugary nectar. This suggests a correlation between the morphology of flowers and their pollinators.
Scientists investigate whether diesel nanoparticles are affecting bees' brains, causing them to lose their way back to the hive. The study aims to understand how tiny particles in diesel fumes could be contributing to bee colony collapse, which has economic and ecological implications for global pollination.
Scientists have made new discoveries about the biological makings of queen bees and worker bees, finding major differences in protein activity during early stages of life. These findings suggest that proteins with metabolic enhancing activities play significant roles in caste determination.
Researchers found that bumblebees significantly reduced flight distances by learning and memorizing individual flower locations, prioritizing the shortest route. This innovative approach demonstrates that bees can solve complex routing problems without a sophisticated cognitive representation of space.
Bumble bees, like honey bees, are important pollinators of native plants. Entomologist James Strange is studying a generalist named Bombus huntii that could be used in greenhouses in the western United States as a replacement for declining B. occidentalis populations.
Researchers have identified three cytochrome P450s in honey bee midguts that detoxify tau-fluvalinate and coumaphos, potentially allowing bees to coexist with these pesticides. This discovery may lead to the development of less toxic mite control methods.
Research reveals bumblebees use a trade-off strategy to visit high-reward flowers while minimizing travel distance. As they gain experience, individual bees balance both factors to optimize their routes.
A new study shows that globally, animal-pollinated crops contain a majority of dietary lipids, vitamins A, C, and E, and minerals like calcium and iron. Without pollinators, up to 40% of essential nutrients could be lost.
A USGS study found that native bee communities are shaped by local factors, such as soil type, tree density, and fire frequency, rather than the composition of a plant community. Specialist bees tend to live in open areas with native plants, particularly in disturbed habitats like burned areas and residential zones.
A new study published in Psychological Science concludes that female bosses who exhibit 'queen bee' behavior are not inherently nasty, but rather a response to a difficult, male-dominated work environment. The study found that only women with strong gender identities at work resist helping other women rise through the ranks.
Researchers tracked 27 unique viruses affecting honey bees, including four unknown strains and six species of bacteria and fungi. The study provides a baseline measurement of pathogens in healthy hives, shedding light on the causes of colony collapse.
Researchers found that stressed bees display pessimistic judgment, expecting bitter tastes in unfamiliar scents, mirroring human-like cognitive bias. This study suggests that bees can be used as models for emotion research in invertebrates, potentially reducing animal welfare concerns.
The 2010/2011 winter survey found total losses of 30% from managed honey bee colonies nationwide. Beekeepers reported an average loss of 38.4%, with 61% experiencing losses greater than economically acceptable levels.
The Bee Informed Partnership aims to reduce honey bee mortality, increase profitability, and enhance sustainable management systems. The project will use epidemiological methods to identify effective practices and create a dynamic Honey Bee Health database with an interactive web-based interface.
A €3.5M European Commission-funded project is working to understand the causes of pollinator declines and develop ways to manage landscapes for wild bee conservation. The STEP project aims to safeguard pollinators providing essential services to crops and wildflowers.
Researchers analyzed genes from nine bee species, revealing unique genetic changes associated with eusociality in highly and primitively eusocial bees. These findings suggest that the evolution of eusociality is an independent process, shaped by distinct genetic signatures.
Researchers challenge Inclusive Fitness Theory, citing flawed assumptions and misrepresentation of data. The debate highlights the importance of rigorous scholarship in scientific inquiry.
May Berenbaum, an expert on bees and pollinators, receives the 2011 Tyler Prize for her groundbreaking research on declining bee populations. She has also made significant contributions to public understanding of science through her writing and advocacy.
Ecologists have developed a new method for rearing honey bee larvae in the laboratory, allowing researchers to study the causes of their decline more effectively. The technique, which uses an artificial plastic honeycomb, has shown high survival rates and improved data analysis capabilities.
Scientists have created a comprehensive framework for understanding fly evolution, revealing surprising relationships between species. The study provides new insights into the origins and diversification of flies, which comprise over 10% of all life on Earth.
Researchers develop an algorithm based on honey bee behavior to solve the four-color theorem, which proves that maps can be colored with only four colors. This method uses less computational power than existing algorithms and applies to engineering and mathematical problems beyond map coloring.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that applying a naturally occurring pheromone to honey bee test colonies increased colony growth and led to healthier hives. The optimal dose of brood pheromone stimulates foragers to collect more pollen, supporting better nutrition within the colony.
Researchers found that closely-related generalist bees differ in their ability to develop on the same pollen diet, suggesting physiological adaptations. The study suggests that pollen chemistry plays a crucial role in constraining pollen loss to bees, with some plants using chemical defenses to protect their pollen.
The genome sequences of four ants - red harvester ant, Argentine ant, fire ant, and leaf-cutter ant - have been published in coordinated releases. The international collaborative effort sped up the advancement of these genome projects, providing insights into social behavior and pest management.
Researchers discovered that orchids' adaptability to different pollinators and fungi allows them to coexist without competing for resources. The study found that shifts in pollination traits were crucial for speciation, while shifts in fungal partners contributed to coexistence.
A large-scale study has found major declines in US bumble bee populations, with four species experiencing a 96% drop in relative abundance and a 23-87% loss of geographic range. The researchers attributed the decline to low genetic diversity, high infection rates with the parasite pathogen, and climate change.
Native pollinators such as wild bees and wasps infected with RNA viruses, transmitted via pollen. Viral diseases may impact pollinator populations and ecosystem health.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that honeybees can avoid toxic nectar through taste and learning, suggesting a potential factor in colony health under stress. The study highlights the importance of understanding how bees detect and avoid toxins to breed non-toxic plants.
Research at the University of Texas at Austin shows that sleep-deprived honey bees experience communication problems, advertising food sites less precisely to their fellow bees. This impairment in precision could lead to a less competitive colony and reduced efficiency in locating food.
Bees perceive the world differently than humans, with variations in hue that are invisible to us. The Floral Reflectance Database (FReD) provides data on flower colours as seen by bees, addressing existing gaps in records.
Researchers find that methyl labels determine a bee's fate from food intake, influencing gene expression and potentially linked to human cancer. They identified 550 genes with differences between queens and workers, offering insights into epigenetic regulation.
Researchers found that environmental inputs can modify bees' genetic hardware through DNA methylation, leading to distinct behaviors. The study, published in PLOS Biology, sheds light on the nature-nurture debate and highlights the importance of diet in shaping behavior.
A vast amber deposit from western India has revealed a new light on the history of the sub-continent, challenging the assumption that India was an isolated island-continent. The discovery indicates that tropical forests are older than previously thought and have close evolutionary relationships with fossils from other continents.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that aging bees impair their ability to extinguish memories of unsuitable nest sites. Despite poor learning in the lab, a few old bees still perform well in recalling suitable homes.
A study by Hebrew University researcher Prof. Guy Bloch found that honeybees can alter their biological clocks in response to changes in their social role, enabling them to make a 'quick switch' in their daily routines. This flexibility is striking, as humans and most other animals struggle with drastic schedule changes.
A Texas Tech University biologist has identified a possible cause of the sudden death of bee colonies across North America: a combination of an insect virus and a fungus. The researchers' study published in PLOS ONE found an association between the two pathogens and high mortality rates among bees.
A 17-year study in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado confirms widespread fears of a decline in bee pollination, with a progressive decrease in fruiting rates observed over the years. The research suggests that climate change may be a contributing factor, particularly during early seasons when bees emerge from hibernation.
A York University doctoral student has identified 19 new species of sweat bees in Canada, including one found in downtown Toronto. The study provides valuable insights into bee diversity and the evolution of social behavior in insects.
Researchers found that altering a honey bee's perception of distance alters its brain gene expression, particularly in the optic lobes and mushroom bodies. This study provides new insights into how bees process spatial information and communicate through dance language.
A study by Monash University researchers reveals that bees use a 'hot' drink to warm up on cold days and a 'cool' drink in warmer weather. The bees preferred feeding from artificial flowers with warmer nectar, which helped them maintain an optimal body temperature for flight.
Researchers created an artificial bee eye with a fully functional camera, achieving a comparable field of vision to bees. This system could inspire the development of mobile robots and small flying vehicles with enhanced navigation capabilities.
The USDA research found that bee pastures can support the growth of healthy young bees by up to fivefold a year. The pastures feature native California plants such as Chinese houses and lacy phacelia, providing a practical and environmentally friendly way to promote pollinator populations.
A $1.5 million NSF grant will consolidate data from 10 natural history bee collections across the US, including Cornell's 250,000-specimen collection. This effort aims to establish conservation status and predict risks to bee pollination services from climate change and habitat loss.
A University of Michigan biologist and a colleague at the University of California, Berkeley, found that shade-grown coffee farms support native bees that pollinate native trees and enhance genetic diversity. The study suggests that these bees play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity in tropical regions.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered that the insulin signaling pathway is crucial for caste development in honeybees. By manipulating this pathway, scientists can determine whether a larva will become a worker or queen bee. This study provides valuable insights into human biology and aging, as well as the importance...
A collaborative project is digitizing and consolidating nearly one million specimen records from ten bee collections across the US to create a centralized database. The project aims to understand native bees' roles in agricultural and natural systems and predict risks to bees due to climate change and habitat loss.
Researchers identified defensin-1 protein in honey as a potent antibacterial agent, showing promise in treating burns, skin infections, and combating antibiotic-resistant infections. The discovery sheds light on the inner workings of honey bee immune systems, potentially leading to healthier bees.
Researchers tracked bumblebee movements in Arctic conditions, finding that bees work a day shift and retire before midnight. The study suggests that bees may have an internal sense of time based on light intensity or temperature changes.
Researchers tracked orchid bees using tiny radio transmitters, revealing they travel surprisingly long distances through sparse tropical forest patches. The study opens doors to future research on temperate forests and highlights the importance of preserving plant pollination.
Scientists tracked 17 iridescent orchid bees using radio transmitters, finding that males spent most of their time in small core areas but could visit farther afield. These long-distance movements help explain why some orchids are rare despite being pollinated by these bees.
Researchers found that bumblebee populations with similar colors in the same environment did not have higher loss rates to predators. Instead, birds likely avoid all animals resembling a bumblebee to avoid the sting.
Scientists have identified a synergistic relationship between a fungal pathogen and RNA viruses from the family Dicistroviridae as contributing factors to Colony Collapse Disorder. The presence of these pathogens in sick colonies is a strong predictor of collapse, with higher levels of the fungus compromising gut wall integrity.
Researchers discovered a rare species of solitary bee that lines its underground nests with petals from various flowers. This unique behavior provides essential nutrients for the larvae's growth and protects them from the harsh winter conditions.
A recent survey found that managed honey bee colonies nationwide experienced a 33.8% loss rate from October 2009 to April 2010, with starvation, poor weather, and weak colonies being the top reasons for mortality. The continued high losses pose an economic challenge for commercial beekeepers.
Researchers found that paper wasps and honey bees rely on the same network of genes to guide their social behavior, including division of labor and brain activity. The study identified over 4,900 genes active in the wasp brain, confirming a genetic toolkit shared by both species.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid of two orchid species, creating a unique scent that attracted a distinct wild bee. The offspring's floral odor was highly attractive to solitary bees unfamiliar with the parent plants' scent.