Articles tagged with Pollination
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The Safeguard project is concluding after four and a half years of research on European wild pollinators. The final conference will bring together stakeholders to review results and discuss future directions for pollinator conservation.
In a study by Michelle Miner at UC Riverside, bumble bees were found to avoid foraging near ant colonies due to the risk of being bitten. However, aggressive bees who fought back were victorious in individual fights but may ultimately harm their colony by wasting energy.
A dogbane species has evolved to mimic the smell of injured ants to attract flies that feed on the ants and pollinate the flowers. The discovery reveals that floral mimicry is more diverse than previously imagined.
A study of migratory hoverflies on an oil rig in the North Sea revealed that they can transport pollen over great distances, potentially linking plant populations across Europe. The hoverflies carried pollen from up to 14 different plant species, highlighting their importance in agriculture.
A long-term field study found that wild bumble bees strategically target flowers to balance their diet, adjusting their consumption of protein, fat, and carbs based on tongue length and seasonal flower availability. This nuanced approach allows them to thrive together and maintain strong colonies.
A European-wide synthesis finds that pollinator-promoting interventions generally benefit plants and pollinators, with varying effects depending on intervention type and habitat. The study suggests that biodiversity-friendly urban management practices can improve public perception and promote healthier ecosystems.
Research reveals that high temperatures and exposure to heavy metals reduce the frequency and pitch of non-flight wing vibrations in bees. This affects their communication, defense, and buzz-pollination abilities, which are crucial for plant reproduction and biodiversity.
The study found that combining native and non-native species, such as Achillea millefolium and Cosmos bipinnatus, attracts a diversity of pollinators. The novel seed mixes also improved establishment and aesthetic appeal.
Researchers develop AI-based monitoring system to link pesticide exposure to honeybee pollen-foraging behavior and overall colony health. The study confirms previous findings that neonicotinoid pesticides affect honeybee colony dynamics.
The Safeguard project has published a collection of practice abstracts on EU CAP Network to provide practical recommendations for conserving European wild pollinators. The outputs explore critical issues surrounding pollinator conservation, including inadequate animal pollination and the impact of rising temperatures.
A new approach is needed to monitor species and protect them from climate change, land use, pollution, and invasive non-native species. The study proposes a framework that integrates all available methods for studying insects, including comparing diversity and abundance over time and across different habitats.
Research suggests that flowering plants' tendency to reward pollinators with nectar is heritable and influenced by flower size and sugar content. Bees prefer honest flower genotypes, benefiting the plant through increased seed production.
The AGRI4POL project aims to transform agriculture into a positive force for biodiversity and crop pollination services. It will deliver an integrated analysis of the crop-farming system-pollinator interplay across biological organisation levels.
The VALOR project aims to understand the cascading impacts of pollinator shifts on ecosystems, farm businesses, and local communities. It will develop a comprehensive approach to gaining insights into the effects of pollinator changes on human well-being.
A new study highlights the risks of climate change on cocoa production, which supports four to six million small-holder farmers. Increasing pollination rates above current levels could boost yields by 20%, according to researchers.
A study by Kobe University botanist Kenji Suetugu reveals that certain fungus-eating orchids, like Stigmatodactylus sikokianus, predominantly self-pollinate after three days, ensuring reproductive success. This delayed mechanism may drive the evolution of combined self- and outcrossing methods to avoid inbreeding.
The Horizon Europe-funded PollinERA project has launched a new open-access collection in the Food and Ecological Systems Modelling Journal to tackle pollinator population declines. The collection provides ecotoxicological knowledge gaps datasets, pollinator pesticide risk indicators, and models for chemicals and pollinator populations.
Researchers observe Ethiopian wolves foraging on nectar-rich flowers, exploiting a novel plant-pollinator interaction. This behavior is significant as it highlights the complexity of interactions between species in the highlands ecosystem, threatening these rare canines.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals the fundamental genetic pathways and biological mechanisms behind the corpse flower's heat production and odorous chemicals. The researchers identify a new component of the corpse flower's odor, an organic chemical called putrescine, which is released when the plant blooms.
The Safe-Hub platform provides a harmonized and standardized database for pollinator health, monitoring, distribution, and conservation. It offers various tools and resources, such as species distribution maps, knowledge library, and events calendar, to support recommendations and co-design solutions for wild pollinator decline.
Research published in New Phytologist reveals that long stems on flowers provide an evolutionary advantage for bat pollination. In complex backgrounds, bats take nearly twice as much time to locate short-stemmed flowers, indicating the importance of visible floral cues for successful pollination.
A new study suggests that thermogenesis, the ability of plants to generate heat, has been present in seed plants for longer than previously thought. This process helps volatilize and disperse floral fragrances and other chemical compounds that attract insects.
A Rutgers-led study found that one-third to two-thirds of farms worldwide suffer from low crop yields due to insufficient pollinators. However, researchers estimate that improving pollinator management and research can increase efficiency in existing fields to meet global nutritional needs.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London reveal that baobab trees originated in Madagascar before traveling to Africa and Australia, where they evolved unique pollination mechanisms. The study provides new insights into how climate change has influenced baobab distribution and speciation patterns over millions of years.
A new study finds significant variation in pollinator attractiveness among annual flower cultivars, with some varieties drawing in more insects than others. Begonia and impatiens cultivars were found to be particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Native wild bees are vital for pollination and have a significant impact on crop productivity. A recent study found that increasing wild pollinator habitat could provide additional nutrition for 30 million people annually and increase farmer income by up to $3 billion every year.
Bee colonies face a critical 'hungry gap' when recommended pollinator plants start blooming too late in the spring, resulting in low colony survival and queen production. Adding early-blooming species like ground ivy and red dead-nettle to existing hedgerows can improve colony success rates significantly.
A University of Washington team discovered that nitrate radicals in the air degrade scent chemicals released by wildflowers, making them undetectable to nighttime pollinators. The researchers found that pollution likely has worldwide impacts on pollination, with areas including western North America and Europe most affected.
Researchers found that orchid mantises' unique femoral lobes serve as structures for gliding, improving aerodynamics and reducing wing loading. The discovery reveals a new understanding of this insect's aerial escape mechanisms.
The EU Horizon 2020 project Safeguard has launched an open-access collection in the Research Ideas and Outcomes journal, increasing discoverability of wild pollinator research outputs. The collection hosts 14 project papers and aims to become a one-stop knowledge hub for pollinator conservation.
Researchers found that the orchid Goodyera henryi on Kozu Island is pollinated by an island wasp, leading to hybridization with another orchid species. The study highlights how plants adapt to changing ecological conditions and has implications for understanding plant evolution in response to declining pollinator populations.
The B-GOOD project will introduce its achievements in improving honey bee health and beekeeping sustainability through an oral presentation, poster sessions, and online participation. The event aims to gather consortium members and external advisors to share knowledge and exchange ideas.
A new study reveals that fungus gnats are crucial pollinators of certain Euonymus plant species with red-petaled flowers. The unique traits of these flowers, such as their yogurt-like scent and short stamens, have evolved to attract the fungus gnats, highlighting the importance of Diptera in plant diversity and evolution.
Researchers found no directional change in Arctic spring timing over the past 25 years, instead observing extreme year-to-year variation due to climate variability. This shift is attributed to fluctuating temperatures and snow cover, pushing species to their limits.
A new study analyzed existing research on bee-protective measures and found that many common methods are backed by minimal scientific evidence. Researchers urge stronger testing to evaluate effective measures and warn of potential waste of time if ineffective.
The new exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History in Sofia focuses on the importance of pollinators and the threats they face. Key research projects like B-GOOD, PoshBee, and Safeguard are showcased to promote conservation efforts.
A global analysis of pollinator decline in cities reveals that butterflies are most affected, with shrinking habitats and food availability causing populations to drop. Meanwhile, certain groups of wild bees, such as those nesting above ground, remain less impacted by urbanization.
Researchers found evidence for a modifier gene in sand cress that can lead to loss of self-incompatibility and acquisition of self-pollination. The study challenges current understanding of this process and opens up new avenues for research on plant breeding systems.
Farmers' use of birds and bats as part-time collaborators has been found to increase productivity by 54% and boost annual yields by approximately $959 per hectare. This partnership helps mitigate the damage caused by pests such as aphids and mealybugs, ultimately benefiting cacao farmers in northern Peru.
Native bees in Oregon's Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within years of timber harvest, but numbers drop sharply as the forest canopy closes. Management practices that promote open conditions can enhance floral resources and promote bee diversity.
Researchers have identified three sets of genes involved in building the fake fly structure on the daisy's petals, which are brought together in a new way to deceive male flies. The plant's use of existing genes for iron movement, root hair growth, and flower control gives it an evolutionary advantage.
The Horizon 2020 project PoshBee collects stakeholder summaries to increase accessibility and impact of EU-funded research on bee health. The summaries, published in plain language, provide concise recommendations on the practical value of project results.
Researchers discovered that two approved insecticides can damage honey bees' intestinal flora, making them more susceptible to disease. The study highlights the need for rigorous research on pesticide effects on beneficial insects before approval.
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.
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.
Research reveals Arisaema urashima's thread selectively reels in fungus gnats, a key pollinator, by trapping them inside the spathe. The plant's 'fishing rod' appendage also reduces fruiting rate if removed, emphasizing its crucial role in attracting primary pollinators.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham identified a new gene, Highlander, that regulates self-incompatibility in plants. The discovery opens up new avenues for improving crop yields and resistance to disease.
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 citizen science project found urban growers in Brighton and Hove harvested 1kg of insect-pollinated fruit and vegetables per metre squared, comparable to conventional farming. Urban farming benefits biodiversity and human health while offering sustainable and productive alternatives.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A study published in PNAS reveals that fruit development rewires the central metabolism pathway in tomatoes via increased sensitivity to gibberellin. The role of this hormone in fruit-setting ovaries was previously unknown and has significant implications for breeding parthenocarpic fruits.
Researchers found that flower buzzing produced forces of over 50G, five times that experienced by fighter jet pilots, and suggests bees use specific types of buzzing vibrations for certain tasks. This discovery provides important insight into the pollination process and how flowers coevolved with bees.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University have discovered a plant that has evolved to use ants as pollinating agents by adapting its pollen grains to overcome ant antimicrobial defences. This is the first plant species found to benefit from this mutually beneficial relationship.