Articles tagged with 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New research shows that bumblebees waste no time enjoying flowers but instead learn the bare minimum about where to land and find food. Bees extract just the necessary information from artificial flowers, suggesting a simple, low-effort form of learning is sufficient in some situations.
A new study led by York University reveals that Western Honey Bees originated in Western Asia, with genetic data suggesting a strong connection to this region. The research highlights the importance of understanding the origin and evolution of these vital pollinators to inform their management and conservation.
Researchers have discovered a specific type of gut bacteria in bees that can improve memory, with bumblebees showing enhanced memory when fed this bacteria. The study suggests a causal link between the gut microbiome and cognitive abilities, opening up possibilities for similar effects in humans.
Researchers discovered that these 'meat-eating' bees have a unique gut microbiome enriched with acid-loving bacteria, similar to those found in vultures. The bees' ability to eat dead bodies is surprising, but they can also store honey and have special chambers for meat storage.
A new study by Royal Holloway University of London found that glyphosate has no significant effect on bumble bee mortality, reproduction, or sucrose consumption. The research also suggests that the pesticide does not make parasite infections more intense at environmentally realistic concentrations.
A major new study found that woodland and hedgerow creation can support higher numbers of pollinators, including bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. The survey, which covered hundreds of sites across Wales, revealed the importance of carefully managed habitats in land management incentive schemes.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering the balance of microbes in nectar, making it less palatable for bumblebees. This could lead to a decline in pollinator populations and affect human health by reducing fresh food availability.
A new study reveals that Asian honeybees use distinct signals to alert nestmates of giant hornet attacks, employing a sophisticated communication system. The research found that these signals are designed to get the attention of colony members and convey a sense of urgency.
A new study has found that increasing temperatures and heavy rainfall reduce the prevalence of Varroa mite disease in UK honey bee colonies, while heavy wind reduces its severity. Climate change is predicted to impact the risk of European foulbrood disease, with a hot spot identified in the South West England.
Research suggests that larger bee colonies with comfortable food stores are less willing to take risks, while smaller colonies with limited resources are more likely to ignore warning signals. This study provides insights into the complex communication system of bees and its implications for understanding biological collectives.
Researchers from Wellesley College discovered that honey bees (Apis cerana) produce unique sounds, including 'antipredator pipes', to warn fellow bees of giant hornet threats. These signals result in increased bee activity and defense actions against the attackers.
The number of wild bees has fallen by 25% since 1990, threatening plant reproduction and food production. Researchers must assume social responsibility to communicate their knowledge and work in transdisciplinary coalitions to halt the decline.
Researchers found that honeybee colonies modify their social interactions and movement patterns in response to parasite infestations, increasing social distance between young and old bees. This adaptation helps reduce the spread of diseases while maintaining beneficial social behaviors.
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
Scientists at New York University have developed seven new crystal forms of the insecticide imidacloprid, which work up to nine times faster than the original version. The new forms enable the control of disease-carrying mosquitoes in smaller amounts and with reduced environmental impact.
Researchers found that bees in agricultural areas traveled an average of 743 meters for food, compared to 492 meters in urban areas. This suggests that urban areas provide a reliable source of food for honeybees, making them less reliant on longer trips to find nectar.
A new study finds that the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires increased the number of threatened Australian native bee species by nearly five times. The research assesses the long-term environmental damage from the natural disaster and highlights the need for urgent conservation action.
Researchers discovered a cheap and naturally occurring chemical compound that can prevent or reverse the effects of the deformed wing virus in bees. Bees fed with this compound before becoming infected were nine times more likely to survive the virus after five days.
Pollinators contribute significantly to global food production, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely heavily on these services. The author emphasizes the need for increased support and research efforts to maintain biodiversity and improve crop yields.
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that stingless bees produce a rare, healthy sugar called trehalulose, which is not found in other honey or as a major component in other food. Stingless bees convert sucrose to trehalulose and produce honey rich in trehalulose in their gut.
Researchers found that bumblebee flight performance rises rapidly from 12°C and peaks between 25-27°C, but declines beyond this. This study suggests that climate warming may benefit some northern-latitude bee species, but poses risks to southern-latitude populations due to more frequent extreme weather events.
A new global risk index highlights the alarming decline of pollinators, which are crucial for food production and ecosystem services. The top causes of pollinator loss include habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change, with serious consequences for human populations, particularly in the Global South.
The University of Exeter has developed a virtual safe space tool called BEE-STEWARD to test different land management techniques for bumblebee survival. The tool provides a computer simulation of bumblebee colony survival in a given landscape, allowing researchers and farmers to predict the impact of their decisions.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Davis found that sunflowers facing east produce more offspring due to increased morning warmth attracting bees. East-facing flower heads also tend to be warmer in the morning and release pollen earlier, coinciding with bee visits.
A new study by the University of Sussex reveals that natural selection leads to fluctuations in nectar supply and demand due to changes in pollinator populations. When pollinators are scarce, flowers produce more nectar to outcompete others, but when they're abundant, less nectar is needed.
Researchers found that semi-natural habitat patches complement existing flower strips in protecting pollinators, attracting a greater number of species and providing year-round flowers. These small structures, such as hedgerows and overgrown fences, offer potential retreats and nesting sites for overwintering bumblebees.
A recent UC Riverside study reveals that neonicotinoids, commonly used in commercial plant nurseries, are deadly to bees regardless of watering levels. The research found a 90% decrease in bee reproduction with both high and low irrigation levels, highlighting the need for alternative management practices to reduce harm to pollinators.
New research shows that certain types of urban greening efforts can support multiple ecosystem services provided by plants and insects. Large green spaces with native plants, particularly flowering prairies, are ideal for conserving native bees and predatory wasps.
Researchers found that feeding bumble bees caffeine improves their ability to recognize specific flower odors and remember the location of nectar-rich flowers. However, this effect is short-lived, as the bees quickly adapt and lose their preference for caffeinated flowers.
Researchers discovered that honey bees plan ahead to create irregular-shaped cells and varying angles to bridge together uniform lattices when space constraints occur. By studying natural honeycombs and computer modeling, the team gained insights into how evolution can lead to multipurpose, strong, and resilient structures.
Researchers analyzed over 19,000 comb cells built by 12 colonies and found that worker bees adapt their building behavior to overcome various challenges, such as merging unaligned cells. The study suggests that honeybees are skilled architects rather than automatons, capable of solving complex problems through creative solutions.
Scientists used next-generation sequencing to study bumblebee health, finding evidence of pesticide exposure, including neonicotinoids, as well as pathogens. The technology allowed for quick detection of diseases and stressors, shedding light on the decline of bumblebee populations.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that diverse agricultural landscapes increase the species richness of wild bees. Different mass-flowering crops like rapeseed and faba beans support different wild bee species due to varying flower shapes.
An international research team found that flowers often host multiple visitors, exerting different selection pressures on traits like color and scent. To mitigate these trade-offs, flowers employ various strategies, including scents and color changes, to attract or exclude different animals.
A study from Flinders University reveals that a common native bee species has flourished since the first land clearances by humans in Fiji. The expansion of Homalictus fijiensis coincides with early human colonization of the Pacific islands, rather than climate change.
A recent study published in Forest Ecology and Management found that creating deadwood in coniferous forests can promote the abundance of aboveground nesting bees. The researchers created artificial structures with standing timber in six sample plots in the Black Forest National Park, leading to an increase in wild bee populations.
Researchers found that syrphid flies, a type of bee-impostor, were the second most common pollinators on urban and rural farms, accounting for 35% of visits. The flies' bee-like colors may help avoid predators, while their presence could also benefit plants by consuming pests like aphids.
Researchers discovered that bumblebees can accurately detect and choose between flowers with varying levels of humidity. The study found that bees learn to distinguish between humidity patterns in a similar way to how they recognize colors or scents.
Researchers discovered that sweat bees use patterns in the canopy overhead to navigate, finding their way home even in extremely low light conditions. This unique navigation system has implications for military applications, such as navigation for drones.
A Canadian researcher has reclassified a rare bee thought to be one of the rarest in the world, discovering it is an unusual specimen of a widespread species. The discovery was made using DNA barcoding and morphological analysis, confirming that the bee is part of the California digger-cuckoo bee genus.
Research reveals minor microbes, like fungi and environmental bacteria, play crucial roles in maintaining bee gut health. These forgotten microbes produce antibiotics, break down toxins, and metabolize nutrients, helping bees resist pathogens and climate change.
Researchers found that tiny hairs on honeybee abdomens reduce friction during movements, conserving energy and reducing wear. This discovery could inspire the design of longer-lasting moving parts.
A Cornell University-developed technology provides an antidote for deadly pesticides that kill wild bees and cause beekeepers to lose around a third of their hives every year. The antidote delivery method has now been adapted to effectively protect bees from all insecticides, and inspired a new company, Beemmunity.
A new fungus strain, developed by Washington State University researchers, has shown promise in controlling varroa mites that harm honey bees. The fungus, Metarhizium, can survive in warm environments common in honey bee hives and kill mites without harming the bees.
Researchers study individual bees' decision to sting based on alarm pheromone concentration, revealing a 'stopping effect' at high concentrations. The study suggests environmental factors drove the evolution of pheromone-based communication in honeybees' defensive behaviour.
A new study analyzing nearly 300 morphological traits in bees reveals strong evidence that complex social behavior developed just once in pollen-carrying bees, rather than multiple times. The research suggests a single evolutionary branch for honey bees and stingless bees, contradicting previous molecular genetic analysis.
The University of Maryland's interdisciplinary collaboration aims to understand the complexities of valuing pollination services. Researchers examine the economic value of managed and wild pollinators, revealing the need for a more holistic approach to assessing pollinator health and resilience.
Scientists tracked individual honeybee drones using radar technology, revealing their mating behaviors and finding that they move between multiple congregation areas during a single flight. This discovery suggests the existence of a new type of animal mating system in honeybees.
A 15-year study on wild bees in Michigan found a 61% decline in bee numbers due to extreme warm temperatures in spring 2012, with some species recovering while others declined. The research emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring and protecting these essential insects for food systems.
A recently discovered letter by Albert Einstein discusses a link between physics and biology, suggesting new discoveries could come from studying animal senses. Researchers have now found that recent studies on migratory birds support Einstein's thinking, which was first proposed 72 years ago.