Articles tagged with Bees
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.