Articles tagged with Bees
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that plants on the opposite side of a road received significantly less pollen than those on the same side, with effects varying by road size and bee species. The study suggests modifying existing pedestrian overpasses to include planter boxes could help facilitate pollinator movement.
Researchers found that larger, more experienced bumblebees begin foraging at dawn despite poor visibility. This suggests that knowledge of food locations helps them navigate safely, and they can capitalize on the benefits of extra foraging time during early morning.
A comprehensive checklist of 9250 Hymenoptera species in northern North America is being published. The list includes nearly 230 species of ants and over 100 species of wasps, providing valuable insights into native pollinators and biological control agents.
A recent study found that more than 470 bee species inhabit a 16 km2 area of protected Chihuahuan Desert, representing 14% of the known United States bee fauna. This biodiversity hotspot provides valuable insights into native bee diversity and highlights the need for baseline information to assess human impact on bee faunas.
Researchers monitored honeybee hives to study their electrostatic field (ESF) data, revealing communication patterns and impact of pesticides on bee health. The findings indicate that weakened communications can signal colony stress and damage from environmental pollutants.
A review of over 500 academic papers found that wasps are valuable for agriculture, providing biocontrol services worth $416 billion annually. Wasps also contribute to pollination, visiting 960 plant species, including those dependent on them for reproduction. Their venom and saliva have medicinal properties.
In Denmark, researchers found that farmed honey bees and endangered wild bees compete for limited forage resources. The study provides insights to guide conservation efforts by identifying key forage plant species.
A new Illinois-based study finds evidence of a steady decline in the availability of springtime flowers in wooded landscapes, which likely endangers queen bees' ability to start their nesting season. The scarcity of early-season flowers, particularly in forests, is attributed to declining forest plant cover since 1997.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a new technique to approximate neuron counts in individual animal brains, providing a more meaningful metric than traditional studies measuring brain size or weight. The study reveals that certain species of bees have a higher density of brain cells than even some species of birds.
A Curtin University study found that European honeybees can outcompete native bees for nectar and pollen resources in urban gardens dominated by non-native flowers. Planting more flowering plants preferred by vulnerable species and controlling honeybee density may help prevent native bee decline.
Researchers found that native bee species with adaptable pollination behaviors are better equipped to thrive in fragmented habitats. By studying the interactions between bees and plants, scientists identified key factors that promote ecosystem health and biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that honeybees use pheromones to pass messages along, creating a complex communication network. The bees closest to the queen catch her scent and then transmit it to other bees in the colony, forming a chain of communication.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals rare honey bee behaviors, including mouth-to-mouth larval feedings, using video recordings from within the hive. The research provides new insights into individual honey bee behavior, revealing complex social interactions and processes previously undocumented.
A University of Guelph study found female hoary squash bees exposed to imidacloprid dug 85% fewer nests and collected less pollen. The pesticide significantly reduces offspring production, threatening the future of these vital pollinators.
Research at York University found that maternal care of offspring leads to an expanding social life in bees, selecting more social genes over time. The study suggests a unifying principle driving social trait evolution across different species.
A rare Australian native bee species, Pharohylaeus lactiferus, has been found again after 100 years, with only six individuals previously recorded. The discovery highlights the species' vulnerability to habitat destruction and wildfires in Australia's rainforests.
New research reveals urban gardens produce an overwhelming amount of nectar, equivalent to thousands of flying bees, and account for 85% of food sources for pollinating insects. The study highlights the pivotal role gardens play in promoting biodiversity in urban areas.
Research reveals that worker bees can detect varroa-related compounds in brood cells, triggering a strong behavioral response to defend against the parasite. This finding has implications for breeding programs aimed at developing stronger resistance to Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies.
A new analysis of thousands of Michigan bees reveals that the most diverse bee communities have the lowest levels of three common viral pathogens. This study suggests that promoting diverse bee communities may be a win-win strategy to reduce viral infections in managed honeybee colonies while maintaining native bee biodiversity.
A study by researchers at the University of Sussex found that bumble bees dominate on certain flower species due to their energy efficiency, while honey bees thrive on others. The study analyzed the behavior of over 1000 bees and found that a bee's bodyweight and rate of visiting flowers determine its energy efficiency.
A study found that a high diversity of flowering plants can compensate for the negative effects of insecticides on wild bee reproduction. The research team discovered that red mason bees reproduced successfully when kept in enclosures with diverse flower mixtures compared to those with only oilseed rape.
Research finds economic dependence of US crops on insect pollination totaling $34 billion in 2012, with areas producing 80% of value relying on poor pollinator habitats. The study identifies key areas that need improved pollinator habitat to mitigate declining bee populations.
A Curtin University study has found that residential gardens are a poor substitute for native bushland in supporting pollination networks of native bees. The research highlights the importance of preserving native vegetation to protect sustainable bee communities and their pollination services.
Penn State researchers found that summer temperatures and precipitation influence honey bee winter survival. The study developed a tool for forecasting winter survival probability using growing degree days and other environmental variables. This prediction model can help beekeepers make informed management decisions.
Researchers found that up to 25% of reported bee species are no longer being recorded globally, with declines in halictid and Melittidae families. The study suggests a trend of declining wild bee populations worldwide, highlighting the need for immediate action.
Researchers studied feral and managed honey bee colonies to understand how environmental and genetic factors impact pathogen tolerance. Feral colonies showed higher levels of certain pathogens but increased immune gene expression, which correlated with survival rates.
Research by University of Bristol scientists shows neonicotinoid insecticides disrupt bees' and flies' ability to get a good night's sleep, affecting daily behavioral rhythms. The pesticides also impair memory and circadian behavior in these insects, leading to potential decline in pollinator populations.
Researchers found that despite diverse signals in the waggle dance among honey bee species, responder bees perceive messages similarly, using comparable vantage points. The team studied three Indian species, finding similar behavior and preference for optimal viewing spots, with some species having more followers.
Researchers found that blue orchard bees produce significantly more female offspring after severe wildfires, indicating a functional response to increased floral resources. This adaptation helps bees invest in the more expensive sex of their offspring, females.
A study published in Communications Biology reveals that failing queens have low sperm viability and high levels of viruses, leading researchers to discover a trade-off between immunity and reproduction. The findings offer new insights into the mysterious decline of queen bee health.
A study led by Penn State researchers found that climate change poses a significant threat to wild bee communities due to rising temperatures and precipitation patterns. The team's analysis of 14-year data sets revealed that temperature and precipitation were the most critical factors influencing wild bee abundance and species diversity.
A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals how flowers with two distinct sets of anthers gradually present their pollen to bees over multiple visits. This 'pollen dosing' strategy allows flowers to limit the amount of pollen a bee can remove, maximizing pollination efficiency.
Scientists are developing new solutions for honeybee colony collapse, a threat to global food security. The University of California's four-campus network will use breeding programs, medications, and monitoring tools to combat the issue.
A new study shows that big bumblebees selectively remember the location of flowers with high nectar concentrations. In contrast, smaller bumblebees invest equally in learning the locations of artificial flowers regardless of sucrose concentration.
Researchers analyzed gene expression in the brains of thousands of individual honey bees to find consistent differences between foragers and egg-layers. The study identified 15 transcription factors that explained behavioral differences, suggesting changes in these genes can lead to strikingly different behavior.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that bumble bees in low-quality landscapes had higher levels of disease pathogens. The study's findings can inform management practices to support the conservation of wild bee populations and highlight the importance of maintaining high-quality habitats.
Researchers found that bumble bees collect a wide range of pollen from different plant species to satisfy their protein needs, whereas honey bees focus on a limited number of target plants. This study highlights the importance of considering diverse foraging behavior in nature conservation efforts.
A team of researchers has developed a low-cost system to monitor bee species in the UK using retroreflective vests. The system uses real-time tracking technology to record the foraging behaviour and 3D flight path of various bees, providing valuable insights into their ecology.
Researchers found that honeybees in Vietnam collect and apply spots of animal dung around hive entrances to deter deadly nest raids by Asian hornets. This finding is also the first to document the use of tools by honeybees.
Researchers discovered honey bees collecting and applying animal dung around nest entrances to prevent giant hornet attacks, leading to reduced landing times and chewing behavior. This unique defense mechanism is the first documented case of honey bee tool use.
Research from Wellesley College professor Heather Mattila shows that honey bees use animal dung to prevent giant hornet attacks on colonies. The bees apply spots of dung around nest entrances, repelling the hornets and limiting their ability to mount deadly group attacks.
A study by University of California San Diego biologists demonstrates that honey bees use a contagious and honest visual signal to deter Asian hornet attacks. The 'I see you' (ISY) signal involves guard bees shaking their abdomens laterally, increasing in intensity as the threat intensifies.
A new study on 150-year-old museum specimens of Western honey bees found higher genetic diversity than expected, contradicting the notion that loss of genetic diversity contributes to bee decline. The research suggests that unique mating systems and migration patterns may help maintain high levels of variation in modern hives.
A team of researchers discovered detailed similarities between the social networks of honey bees and humans, which can be explained by new theoretical modeling. The study reveals individual differences between honey bees, just like humans, and shows that these patterns are universal across species.
A study on honey bees found that individual differences in social interactions lead to universal patterns of behavior across species. Genetically related bees show fewer individual differences than humans, but still exhibit some variation in interaction frequency and food sharing.
A new study found that wildfire disturbance increases the importance of flowering-plant species in determining pollinator composition, while also enhancing the value of pollinators in determining plant composition. The findings suggest that controlling wildfires is essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
A team of researchers has created a comprehensive map of bee species globally, identifying more species in the Northern Hemisphere and arid environments. The study also reveals a bimodal latitudinal gradient pattern, where diversity increases towards the tropics and decreases towards the poles.
Researchers found that solitary red mason bee females emerge with a mature circadian clock, allowing them to forage and care for offspring daily. In contrast, social honeybees have a delayed maturation of their internal clock, explaining their age-related behavioral shifts.
Researchers studied the use of plastic in nest construction by leaf-cutter bees and found it could change the environment of their nests. They suggest using natural fibers instead to avoid harmful effects on the insects.
Two Australian bee species have been identified as having adapted their vision for night-time conditions, allowing them to forage in darkness. The study found that these bees develop enlarged compound and simple eyes, enabling them to gather more light than their daytime counterparts.
Burt's Bees presents research on bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, with anti-inflammatory properties and improved skin health. The company also highlights the effectiveness of a natural lip balm containing turmeric in providing therapeutic benefits for dry or compromised lips.
Genome sequencing reveals a gradual decline in African ancestry across hundreds of miles as bees approach climate barriers. The study suggests that climate is the primary factor limiting the spread of Africanized bees, with colder winters posing a survival challenge.
Researchers found significant increases in floral abundance and wild bee diversity in spruce beetle-affected forests, compared to similar, undisturbed forests. This is good news for wild bee communities, which have been declining in recent years.
Honey bees rely on chemical cues from shared gut microbial communities to recognize nestmates, rather than genetic relatedness. This study shows that a bee's particular cuticular hydrocarbon profile is dependent on its microbiome.