Articles tagged with Pollinators
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A new study using bumblebees found that the sweetest nectar is not always the best; too much sugar slows them down. The researchers discovered that bees prefer nectars with lower sugar concentrations, which are easier to drink and vomit back up.
Researchers at the University of York found that non-native plants are supporting communities of British insects, including pollinators and beetles. The study suggests that a balance between native and non-native plants may provide the best home for most insects.
A new study suggests that investing in pollinator monitoring schemes can yield significant economic benefits, with potential savings of at least £1.50 for every £1 invested. The research, presented at the British Ecological Society's annual meeting, explores cost-effective methods for improving pollinator monitoring in the UK.
Researchers found that flower shapes have evolved in adaptation to distinct pollinators, but not uniformly across the entire flower. The showy sterile organs of flowers adapted more quickly to different pollinators than the reproductive organs.
A study found that certain bulbs can persist in warm-season lawns, providing nutrition for pollinating insects. Five bulbs persisted for multiple years, including crocus and grape hyacinth, which attracted pollinators. The researchers suggest incorporating proven forage sources into landscapes to support pollinator health.
Research found that yeasts in nectar can stimulate the growth of bee colonies by boosting their health, despite altering the nutritional value of nectar. The presence of yeasts also had a positive effect on bee colony fitness and productivity.
Research by University of Kansas plant biologists reveals that abandoning one pollinator for another compromises a flower's long-term survival. The study found that hummingbird-pollinated species are less likely to form new species, while insect-pollinated species tend to be more successful in speciating and resisting extinction.
Researchers found that tortoises cannot distinguish the lower petal surfaces of daisies with closed flowers, which are camouflaged to avoid herbivores. This novel defense mechanism does not negatively impact pollination interactions.
Researchers found that 36% of squash bees are chronically exposed to lethal doses of clothianidin in soil, exceeding the acceptable threshold of 5%. This risk is applicable to many other wild bee species in Canada, highlighting the need for new approaches to protect pollinators and crops simultaneously.
Researchers use 'Reverse Metagenomics' method to identify preferred wildflowers for bees, providing valuable insights into pollinator behavior and habitat conservation. This technique can be applied to various studies, including diet analysis and airborne allergenic pollen identification.
Research institutions are encouraged to integrate graphic design into communications teams to reach socially relevant audiences. Collaborations between scientists and graphic artists result in clear, focused, and accessible infographics, pushing science forward.
A new study reveals that road verges can provide essential food and habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. However, areas closer to busy roads and cut during the peak flowering season are less beneficial to these species.
Scientists have discovered a new non-blooming orchid species, Gastrodia amamiana, on Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima islands. The unique plant has hard buds instead of opening its flowers, suggesting it may have evolved to conserve resources in a forest environment.
Researchers found that early snowmelt causes Corydalis ambigua flowers to bloom before bumblebee emergence, leading to a mismatch in pollination. This phenological disruption can significantly lower seed-set rates due to inadequate pollination.
A new study reveals that the global area cultivated in crops requiring pollination has expanded by 137%, while crop diversity has increased by just 20.5%. This imbalance poses a threat to food security and economic stability, particularly in countries with limited crop diversity.
Two new studies suggest that planting milkweed in cities could support 15-30% of the 1.8 billion stems needed to save Monarch butterflies. Urban areas offer a vast potential for creating habitat, with residential yards and low-quality green spaces being particularly valuable targets.
Researchers discovered that self-fertilization helps two Asiatic dayflower species coexist in the wild, countering reproductive interference caused by shared pollinators. Both species can produce enough seeds to survive through self-pollination, even when one is heavily impacted by the other's flowers.
Researchers measured farmland nectar supplies throughout the year, revealing hungry gaps when food supply is not meeting pollinator demand. Early spring and late summer are periods of great nectar deficit on UK farmland.
A new study finds that abundant herbivores diminish plants' attractiveness to pollinators but increase energy spent on producing offspring through autonomous self-pollination. Plants rapidly evolve defensive traits, like toxic compounds, to ward off herbivores while maintaining floral displays attractive to pollinators.
A two-year study found that wild bees thrive in areas with moderate to severe forest fires, which creates a favorable environment for their survival. The researchers detected a significant increase in bee populations and diversity in these zones, highlighting the importance of fire severity as a predictor of bee habitat.
A new study reveals that one-third of pollinator species have declined in distribution across Great Britain, while others remain stable or show inconclusive trends. However, an unexpected positive finding is the increase in key bee species responsible for pollinating flowering crops.
Research reveals that supporting local communities with cultural, spiritual, and economic connections to pollinators is key to effective conservation. The study suggests that policies like biocultural conservation can foster pollinator protection and sustainable management of resources.
Honey bees are outcompeting native pollinators for access to pollen and nectar in San Diego's natural habitats. The study found that honey bees account for more than 90 percent of pollinators observed visiting flowers on the most abundantly flowering native plant species.
A study of woodland star wildflowers found remarkable diversity in their scent compounds, with many species and populations producing unique floral bouquets to attract insect pollinators. The findings suggest that natural selection has shaped the biochemistry of floral scents in different ways among different populations.
Researchers catalogued every pollinator protection policy enacted by US states between 2000-2017, finding 109 innovative solutions and just four federal bills
Researchers at Utah State University and USDA report 450 native bee species in California's Pinnacles National Park, including 48 new to the area since 2002. The park is now recognized as a national biodiversity hotspot for bees.
A decade-long analysis of bee activity in New York apple orchards reveals decreased pollination services with agricultural activity; Phylogenetic diversity is a better gauge of pollinator services than standard approaches.
A new study reveals that gardens and allotments are crucial for pollinators, with lavender and borage being key food sources. Cities can play a vital role in conserving pollinators by incorporating these plant species into urban landscapes.
Researchers discovered that vibrating stamens, pollen-bearing organs of flowers, are a key trait for understanding early stages in the transition from insect to wind pollination. This finding helps explain why some flowering plant species have evolved to rely on wind instead of insects for pollination.
Researchers examine data on 660 bee species found within the monument's original boundaries, which is still home to 87% of these pollinators. The reduction in protected areas threatens 'edge' populations that could be first to go extinct due to climate change.
A study led by University of Vermont scientists reveals that wild bees are essential for larger and better blueberry yields, providing major benefits including greater berry size, quantity and earlier harvests. Maintaining natural bee habitat and reducing pesticide use can help protect wild bees.
A survey of horticultural employees found that knowledge of beneficial plants for pollinators is a weak topic, highlighting the need for specialized education and training. The researchers recommend more-detailed labeling of pollinator food plants to benefit customers seeking pollinator-friendly options.
The study reveals that nearly half of Utah's bee species dwell within the monument's original boundaries, with over 660 species identified. This hotspot of bee diversity is attributed to the presence of 87% of Utah's flowering plant species within the monument's boundaries.
Researchers from OSU and international partners have established a roadmap for understanding the role of managed conifer forests in pollinator conservation. The agenda focuses on three themes: establishing baseline patterns, assessing forest management impacts, and quantifying effects of natural disturbances.
A Cornell University study found that wildflower strips on farms boost strawberry yields when surrounded by the right mix of natural habitat and agricultural land. The optimal range for pollinator attraction is between 25 to 55 percent surrounding natural landscapes, where wildflowers also draw more beneficial insects.
A new UMass Amherst study found that eating sunflower pollen dramatically reduced a protozoan pathogen infection in bumble bees. The researchers also discovered that incorporating sunflowers into pollinator gardens could provide a simple solution to improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators.
A new study suggests that insect pollinators and plants that have survived agricultural intensification are more likely to survive future environmental changes due to their ability to withstand stresses. These species include common weed species like brambles and thistles, as well as generalist pollinators that can feed on a wide varie...
Moths have been found to carry pollen from various plant species, including crops such as peas and soybean, suggesting they may play an important ecological role in pollination. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of moths to plants and agricultural systems, potentially preventing inbreeding among plants.
A 3-year study by Lund University found organic farming stabilizes pollinator diversity in crop fields by providing more stable flower resources. This effect is seen even in conventional farms with reduced pesticide use.
Researchers have discovered the earliest definitive fossil evidence of insect-pollination in ancient cycads, dated to 99 million years ago. The discovery of an amber-trapped boganiid beetle shows special adaptations for transporting pollen, indicating a probable ancient origin of beetle pollination.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that removing timber harvest residue during logging can increase the abundance and diversity of wild bees. The study suggests that managing forests to promote soil-nesting bee habitats could be an effective strategy for conserving these important pollinators.
Floral scents have been attracting pollinating insects and other animals since the mid-Cretaceous Period, providing olfactory excitement to these ancient creatures. The study found that modern and ancient flowers of the same lineages produced similar essences, suggesting a long history of floral fragrance production.
Researchers detected pesticides in hummingbird cloacal fluid and fecal pellets, as well as in bumble bee pollen and blueberry flowers. The findings suggest pesticide exposure may impact the health and ecosystem services of these pollinators
Scientists used tiny radio tags attached to Asian hornets to track them to five previously undiscovered nests in southern France and Jersey. The technique has the potential to help protect Britain's beleaguered pollinator populations from the invasive species' devastating impact on honeybees and other pollinators.
A Northwestern University study found that climate change can push mason bees to their physiological limits, leading to high mortality rates and potentially driving local extinction. Bees in warmer environments emerged later, had smaller bodies, and lower body fat, making it harder for them to reproduce.
A team of researchers has identified 27 new viruses in bees from around the world, shedding light on the impact of viral pathogens on bee health and agriculture. The discovery was made using a novel high-throughput sequencing technique that efficiently detected both known and unknown viruses.
A meta-analysis of 44 studies on neonicotinoid insecticides' effects on arthropod performance found similar negative impacts on abundance, behavior, condition, reproductive success, and survival. The research suggests that these insecticides affect not only pollinators but also detritivores and predators.
A new study by Swansea University researcher Andrew Lucas reveals vital behaviors of hoverflies in plant pollination. The research helps identify the plants hoverflies visit and provides advice to landowners on species-rich grasslands.
Research found droughts halve overall flower numbers, reducing food for bees and other pollinators in chalk grasslands.
A nationwide team of citizen scientists will convert lawns into native wildflower havens to attract native bees and other insects. The project aims to increase the bee's native habitat and educate the public about the importance of pollinators in food production.
A recent study found that vertebrates are essential pollinators for many plants, including crops like dragon fruit and durian. The study revealed that the exclusion of bat pollinators resulted in an 83% drop in fruit production, highlighting the importance of these animals in plant reproduction.
A team of researchers will create decision-support tools to help beekeepers and land managers maintain pollinator populations. The tools will assess landscape factors, predict bee health, and provide information on flowering plant species.
The non-photosynthesizing orchid Gastrodia pubilabiata mimics rotting mushrooms to attract fruit flies for pollination. It also survives by absorbing nutrients from fungal hyphae of mushrooms. This unique trait allows the plant to thrive in environments with limited sunlight.
Research suggests that taking a 'lazy lawn mower' approach by mowing every two weeks instead of weekly can encourage bee habitat in suburban lawns. This results in more lawn flowers blooming, which helps bees. The study found that lawns mowed every three weeks had the most lawn flowers and the highest diversity of 93 bee species.
A Rutgers University study confirms that an abundance of wild bees is essential for efficient pollination in agricultural settings. The research found that over half of the observed species were necessary for pollination at one or more farms, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem services.
Introduced 'alien' honeybees are competing with native bees for resources, posing a threat to the survival of plants that rely on specific pollinators. This is particularly concerning in arid environments where super-generalist honeybees visit up to 55% of available plant species.
Domesticated honeybees contribute to wild bee declines through resource competition and disease spread. Researchers recommend policies to limit managed honeybee impact, including hive size limits and controls on hives in protected areas.
A new report synthesizes global data to identify honey bees as the world's most important single species of pollinator in natural ecosystems. They are recorded in 89% of pollination networks in their native range and 61% in introduced regions, contributing to 1 out of 8 interactions between non-agricultural plants and pollinators.
A study published in Nature Communications found that reduced individual plant growth can benefit overall communities by controlling herbivore populations and indirectly supporting pollinators. This counterintuitive effect helps explain the persistence of some plant communities despite theory predicting their extinction.
Researchers tracked bumblebee flight paths and found they refined routes to reduce travel distance, providing insights into route optimization in logistics and robotics. The study's large dataset offers a unique understanding of how animals solve spatial problems.