Bumblebees have poor, but useful memories
Researchers found that bumblebees can only retain basic ranking memories for a few minutes. They can remember which flower was sweeter than another but struggle to recall the sweetness of individual flowers.
Bees
Articles tagged with Bees
Popular herbicide weakens bumblebees’ color vision
A study by Finnish researchers found that exposure to the herbicide glyphosate impairs bumblebees' fine color vision, affecting their ability to learn and remember connections between colors and tastes. This weakened color vision can severely impact bumblebees' foraging and nesting success.
Bees active in woodland tree-tops, research shows
New research from the University of East Anglia reveals that wild bees are actively foraging in the sunlit woodland canopy, particularly among Sycamore trees. A diverse community of wild bees was found to thrive in this habitat, with nectar and pollen-rich trees providing essential food sources.
Diverse landscapes at the heart of bee conservation
Researchers found that small amounts of development can positively impact bee species in a given area, revealing the importance of forest remnants and blended landscapes. The study discovered 111 species, representing 20% of known Georgia bee species, and provided a framework for future research to assist in bee conservation.
Flower strips and hedges combine to boost bees in orchards
Researchers found that hedges and perennial flower strips complement each other to support wild bees in orchards, with species visiting flowers at different times of the year. Perennial flower strips were more beneficial for wild bees than annual strips, attracting different bee communities over time.
3D printing drones work like bees to build and repair structures while flying
Researchers have developed a technology using flying robots that mimic the collective building methods of bees and wasps to construct and repair large structures. The Aerial Additive Manufacturing system consists of drones that work autonomously but are monitored by human controllers, adapting their techniques as needed.
Grant funds research that could help certification of organic honey bee products
The research aims to create opportunities for beekeepers to produce certified-organic apiary products by tracking foraging patterns. The team will decode the bees' waggle dances and track their movements with harmonic radar.
Strawberries were smaller when bees ingested pesticides
A new study from Lund University found that solitary bees ingesting the pesticide clothianidin resulted in slower bees and smaller strawberries. The research team also discovered that the substance impaired the bees' ability to pollinate strawberry flowers, highlighting the complex effects of pesticides on bee behavior.
Study suggests one-third of wild bee species in Pa. have declined in abundance
A recent study found that one-third of wild bee species in Pennsylvania have declined in abundance over a six-year period. Researchers sampled bees at eight locations and collected over 26,700 individual bees representing five families and 144 species.
Bee it known: Biodiversity is critical to ecosystems
A Rutgers-led study finds that biodiversity of the bee population is crucial for maintaining stable pollination services over a growing season and years. The research suggests that different bee species pollinate the same plants at different times and dominate pollinators on specific types of plants in different years.
Bees use patterns – not just colors – to find flowers
A recent study by the University of Exeter reveals that honeybees rely on both color and pattern to identify flowers. The researchers found that bees can effectively distinguish between different flowers using a combination of these elements, suggesting that flowers don't need to evolve many different petal colors.
Spring forward: Changing climate’s early winter wakeup call is a buzz kill for bumblebees
New research from the University of Ottawa finds that climate change is waking bumblebees earlier from winter hibernation, putting the species at risk. The study found that this early emergence timing puts bees out of sync with their food sources, leading to smaller colonies and lower survival rates.
Museum collections indicate bees increasingly stressed by changes in climate over the past 100 years
Scientists analyzed UK bumblebee populations and found evidence of increasing stress due to climate change, with higher asymmetry in wing shapes linked to hotter and wetter years. The study used ancient DNA methods to determine genetic diversity loss and adaptability of bee genomes over time.
New study links the decline of alpine bees to climate change
A new study by Webster University researchers found that alpine bumble bees are losing ground due to warming temperatures, as colonizing bees from lower elevations thrive and displace them. The study predicts the local extinction of alpine bee populations in areas where they can't migrate further upslope.
To bee or not to bee
A new study by University of Missouri and Webster University scientists finds climate change linked to decline of bumblebees in alpine regions. Warming temperatures are creating a longer growing season, allowing lower-elevation bees to migrate to alpine areas, where they struggle to adapt.
Modern pesticides damage the brain of bees so they can't move in a straight line
Research shows that exposure to commonly used insecticides can profoundly impair honeybees' visually guided behavior, crucial for flight and survival. The study found that pesticide-exposed bees have impaired optomotor responses, with increased asymmetry in left and right turns.
Self-pollinating plant shows rapid loss of genetic variation
A self-pollinating monkeyflower plant lost 13-24% of its genetic variation within nine generations when isolated from bumble bees. This rapid loss of genetic variation could have devastating impacts on the plant's ability to adapt to changing environments, highlighting the importance of pollinators for plant survival.
New online resource can help users ‘bee’ friendly when it comes to planting for pollinators
A new online database, The Database of Pollinator Interactions (DoPI), provides a wealth of information on pollinator-plant interactions. It contains over 300,000 recorded interactions between more than 2,000 pollinator species and 1,000 plant species, helping users select pollinator-friendly species to plant in their gardens.
Is brain fog limited to humans?
A study found that brain fog-like impairment is a problem in many animal species due to infection and disease, including humans. Cognitive impairments have been observed in birds, bees, rats, and other species, with various causes such as parasite damage, immune response, and malnutrition.
A natural phenomenon or a warning?
A dramatic decline in wild bees' pollination services was observed at fruit farms in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over an 8-year period. The rate of visitation by bees decreased more than half between 2005 and 2012, with similar declines for other types of wild bees.
Rare plants attract rare bees and birds in urban gardens
A Dartmouth-led study found that urban gardens with rare plant species tend to attract rare bee and bird species. Women, older gardeners, and those living near the gardens are more likely to curate these rare plants, suggesting a cascading effect on biodiversity.
Bees boost crops and could steady food prices
A study published in Ecology Letters found that pollinators stabilize crop yields, reducing variation by 32%, which can help mitigate supply issues and market shocks. This finding highlights the importance of preserving pollinators for global food security.
Urban agriculture can promote bee communities in tropical megacities
Researchers found that farm management practices like crop diversification and native plant presence support wild bee conservation. Urban agriculture can benefit local bee populations if managed sustainably.
Oregon State researchers develop computer model to predict whether a pesticide will harm bees
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a computer model using artificial intelligence to predict whether a proposed new pesticide will harm honey bees. The model, trained on nearly 400 different pesticide molecules, can quickly screen proposed pesticides for their toxicity, helping protect the vital pollinators.
Bees’ ‘waggle dance’ may revolutionize how robots talk to each other in disaster zones
A new study takes inspiration from the 'waggle dance' of honeybees to devise a way for robots to communicate effectively in situations with unreliable network communications. Researchers designed a visual communication system using on-board cameras, allowing robots to interpret gestures and convey complex information.
Bumblebees kept in isolation make up for it by being more social later
Researchers found that socially isolated bumblebees exhibited an increase in affiliative behavior, unlike expected aggression. The brain development of isolated bees showed similarities with group-reared bees, suggesting controlled chaos in the absence of social environment.
Microbe protects honey bees from poor nutrition, a significant cause of colony loss
Researchers identified a specific bacterial microbe, Bombella apis, that can thrive in royal jelly and increase its amino acid content. This microbe helps developing bees build resilience against nutritional stress, making them smaller but healthier.
Climate change negatively impacting bumble bees: Study
A new study published in Biology Letters found that climate change is negatively impacting bumble bees, with six species decreasing in population and 22 increasing, while the remaining 18 remained stable. Temperature changes were found to have a primary negative impact on bumble bee populations.
Pesticide in widespread use in Brazil poses a grave threat to native bee species, study shows
A study found that imidacloprid, a widely used pesticide in Brazil, is toxic to native bees and can cause alarming levels of poisoning. Researchers are calling for specific protocols and more effective regulation to protect these vital pollinators.
Clues to bee health found in their gut microbiome
Researchers sequenced the whole genomes of three species of carpenter bees, gaining insights into their gut microbiome, diet, and viral load. They found beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, which protect against fungal pathogens and boost the immune system.
Scientists fail to locate once-common CA bumble bees
A recent statewide census of California bumble bees found significant declines due to climate change, urbanization, and pesticide use. Despite finding most common species, researchers failed to locate several iconic species, including the Western bumble bee, highlighting urgent need for conservation efforts.
Genetic discovery could spell mosquitoes’ death knell
A UC Riverside genetic discovery found that mosquitoes lack the primary ecdysone transporter, allowing researchers to develop a mosquito-specific insecticide. This breakthrough could help control Zika, dengue, and other virus-carrying mosquitoes without harming beneficial insects.
Native bee key to social evolution
Researchers studied Australian native bee Amphylaeus morosus, finding it exhibits extreme reproductive skew and high relatedness, which challenges theories on social complexity. The study provides evidence that kin selection can promote worker sterility at the initial transition to social living.
Shorter, wider flowers may transmit more parasites to bees
Researchers found that flower shape is a key predictor of parasite transmission to bees, with wider, shorter flowers increasing the risk. The study suggests that identifying floral traits and species associated with lower parasite transmission rates could help create pollinator habitats with reduced disease risk.
Evolution: New Emmy Noether group investigates interactions between bacteria and insects
A new research group led by biologist Dr. Michael Gerth will investigate the interactions between bacteria and insects, with a focus on how bacterial DNA changes when transferred from one species to another. The team aims to identify successful host transfer strategies and understand environmental factors influencing these processes.
More and more people are becoming aware of the dangers posed by invasive hornets
Researchers found that beekeepers are aware of the Asian yellow-legged hornet's impacts on honey bee decline in Italy. Public awareness is increasing due to various channels such as internet searches and community activities. The hornet poses significant risks to pollination, honey production, and human safety.
Scientists identify beetle that triggers production of red propolis in Brazil
Researchers discovered a new species of beetle in the family Buprestidae that contributes to the production of red propolis. The beetle's larvae develop inside stems of a specific plant, and its resinous exudate is used by honey bees to make red propolis.
Multiple habitats need protecting to save UK bumblebees, finds 10-year citizen science study
A 10-year citizen science study found that UK bumblebees need varied habitats to thrive. The study identified specific habitat requirements for different species, including arable areas and semi-natural land, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts.
Organic farming or flower strips – which is better for bees?
A study by researchers at Göttingen University and the Centre for Ecological Research found that organic farming is more effective in promoting wild bee populations than conventional fields with flower strips. The findings suggest that considering both yield and area of land is crucial when evaluating agri-environmental measures.
Bean cultivation in diverse agricultural landscapes promotes bees and increases yields
Researchers found that diverse landscape compositions with faba beans led to higher bumblebee densities, increased pollination success, and higher bean yields. Short-tongued bumblebees stole nectar more frequently from faba beans when there was a high proportion of faba beans in the landscape.
Beyond the honeybee: how many bee species does a meadow need?
A new study shows that meadow ecosystems rely on 2.5 to 7.5 times more bee species for pollination than a single plant species does. Rare bees play a crucial role in pollinating plants no one else visits, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity.
Catching a buzz: Robot bees to help study pollination
Researchers aim to replicate buzz pollination using microrobots to understand its importance in agriculture and conservation. The project could lead to stronger motivation for conserving diverse bee species and optimizing fruit and vegetable yields.
ARS-developed Varroa-resistant honey bees better winter survivors
A study published in Scientific Reports found that ARS-developed Pol-line honey bees have a significantly higher winter survival rate than standard honey bees, with rates of 62.5% and 3%, respectively. Additionally, Pol-line colonies showed lower levels of three major viruses commonly transmitted by Varroa mites.
Selective breeding sustainably protects honey bees from Varroa mite
A new breed of honey bees has been developed through selective breeding to resist the Varroa mite, a major threat to global honey bee populations. The 'Pol-line' bees showed a two-fold increase in colony survival compared to standard varieties, with significantly lower mite numbers and reduced viral transmission.
Bees win in survival wars
Researchers found that social bee parasites and their host species have similar rates of evolution, contrary to predictions. This unexpected finding suggests that smaller population sizes may not hinder a parasite's ability to adapt and survive.
Survey of pollinators
The SPRING project is establishing an EU-wide census of pollinators, building on existing butterfly monitoring schemes. The project will use a variety of methods, including standard routes for counting wild bees and hoverflies, to gather data on the diversity and abundance of pollinators.
Wilderness Medical Society issues new clinical practice guidelines on anaphylaxis
The Wilderness Medical Society has published evidence-based guidelines for anaphylaxis treatment in remote areas. The guidelines recommend administering intramuscular epinephrine as the primary prehospital treatment, while also discussing prevention strategies such as extracting additional epinephrine from autoinjectors and using expir...
In a surprise move, honeybee tongue hairs repel water
Researchers discovered that honeybee tongue hairs are hydrophobic, allowing the tongue to bend and reach food in crevices. This unique property enhances durability and flexibility, inspiring design of new materials.
Researchers ID sex pheromone of invasive giant hornet
Scientists have identified three major components of the Asian giant hornet queen's sex pheromone, which can be used as bait to trap and track the insects. The discovery could help locate and remove the invasive species from North America, where it threatens bee populations and crop production.
Researchers identify active compounds in giant hornet queen sex pheromones
Scientists have identified three active compounds in sex pheromones of the world's largest hornet, Vespa mandarinia, to attract males and control its reproduction. The discovery could aid in monitoring and controlling the invasive species' spread in North America.
Are pesticides used in urban and suburban areas harming honey bees?
A study published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found that pesticide levels are low in nectar and pollen collected by honey bees in urban and suburban areas across the US. Chemical analyses detected 17 pesticides in nectar and 60 in pollen samples, with 73% of all samples containing no detectable pesticide residues.
Being near pollinator habitat linked to larger soybean size
Researchers found that soybean plants adjacent to pollinator habitats produce larger seeds due to increased bee visitation. The presence of pollinators also influences the bee communities in soybean fields, with bees leaving for outside flowers less likely.
Antibiotic used on food crops affects bumblebee behavior, lab study finds
Researchers found that streptomycin, a widely used antibiotic in U.S. agriculture, impairs bumblebee behavior, including reduced foraging efficiency and slowed cognition. The study aims to understand the potential impacts on pollinators of antibiotic use in agriculture.
Where wild honeybees survive
Researchers found that wild honeybee colonies can survive in Galicia, Spain, particularly in areas with semi-natural habitats. The study suggests that extensive forms of land use and restoration of near-natural landscape features are crucial for insect conservation.
The secret lives of bats reveal botanical mysteries
Researchers discover unique bat-pollination system in Fiji's kuluva trees, highlighting co-dependence between species and urgent conservation needs. The novel chiropteropisteusis system sheds light on the evolution of flowering plants and threatens tree and bat species.
University of Ottawa review provides insight into interactions between bee gut microbiotas and pesticides
A University of Ottawa review provides the first field-wide summary of how pesticide exposure affects social bee gut microbiotas. The study found that pesticides disturb microbial communities, leading to a loss of benefits and potential decline in bee health and performance.
Bee appearance and behavior may be related, genetic study reveals
Researchers identified genetic characteristics relevant to the production and behavioral attributes of two key bee subspecies, Cape bees and Africanized honey bees. Genetic studies found correlations between dark coloring and cloning behavior in Cape bees, which can take over colonies.
Balanced diet can mitigate negative impact of pests for bumblebees
A diverse pollen diet and varied landscape contribute to better colony growth and more offspring for young queens. This diversity also reduces the negative effects of infestation with parasitic wax moth larvae.
Air pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees
Common air pollutants from urban and rural environments reduce pollinating abilities of insects, leading to fewer flower visits and overall pollination reductions. The study observed up to 70% fewer pollinators, 90% fewer flower visits, and a 31% reduction in pollination when common ground-level air pollutants were present.
Sunflowers’ invisible colors help them attract bees and adapt to drought
Researchers found that sunflowers with larger UV bullseyes retain water more efficiently in drier environments, suggesting a dual role for floral pigmentation in adaptation. The discovery may help increase crop yields and improve pollinator attraction.