Category: SavetheBees

Climate change reduces the abundance and diversity of wild bees.

February 12, 2021

Wild bees are more affected by climate change than by disturbances to their habitats, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State. The findings suggest that addressing land-use issues alone will not be sufficient to protecting these important pollinators. “Our study found that the most critical factor influencing wild bee abundance and species diversity was the weather, particularly … More Climate change reduces the abundance and diversity of wild bees.

Big bumble bees learn locations of best flowers, new research shows.

February 9, 2021

Meanwhile smaller bumblebees — which have a shorter flight range and less carrying capacity — don’t pay special attention to flowers with the richest nectar. University of Exeter scientists examined the “learning flights” which most bees perform after leaving flowers. Honeybees are known to perform such flights — and the study shows bumblebees do the … More Big bumble bees learn locations of best flowers, new research shows.

Pesticide manufacturers’ own tests reveal serious harm to honeybees.

February 6, 2021

Bayer and Syngenta criticised for secrecy after unpublished research obtained under freedom of information law linked high doses of their products to damage to the health of bee colonies. Unpublished field trials by pesticide manufacturers show their products cause serious harm to honeybees at high levels, leading to calls from senior scientists for the companies … More Pesticide manufacturers’ own tests reveal serious harm to honeybees.

First map of bee species, common and rare, around the globe.

January 31, 2021

There are over 20,000 species of bee, but accurate data about how these species are spread across the globe are sparse. However, researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on November 19 have created a map of bee diversity by combining the most complete global checklist of known bee species with the almost 6 million additional public … More First map of bee species, common and rare, around the globe.

France to ease pesticide ban for sugar beet to curb crop losses

January 28, 2021

PARIS (Reuters) – The French government will propose lifting a ban on certain pesticides blamed for harming bees to protect sugar beet crops that have been ravaged by insects this year, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday. The government plans to support a legislative amendment in parliament later this year to exempt sugar beet for … More France to ease pesticide ban for sugar beet to curb crop losses

Insect populations across the world are plummeting at a startling rate. A report led by The Wildlife Trusts highlights just how dramatic the decline has been over the last few decades—a trend the paper’s authors call “the unnoticed apocalypse.”

January 25, 2021

Six-legged bugs might not attract as much attention or sympathy as larger, cuddlier mammals, the authors say, but their decline has been more dramatic and may have greater ramifications for humanity. The study points to evidence that suggests insect populations may have shrunk 50 percent or more since the 1970s, due to a combination of … More Insect populations across the world are plummeting at a startling rate. A report led by The Wildlife Trusts highlights just how dramatic the decline has been over the last few decades—a trend the paper’s authors call “the unnoticed apocalypse.”

The numbers are in: Beekeepers faced their second highest losses in 14 years this past year.

January 13, 2021

Help save the bees: Demand that Congress ban bee-killing pesticides today! The situation is dire with massive bee die offs — largely thanks to the continued use of bee-killing pesticides. Thankfully, the Saving America’s Pollinators Act (SAPA) would put a stop to these toxic chemicals. Scientists have warned that further decline of bees and other insects could lead us to a … More The numbers are in: Beekeepers faced their second highest losses in 14 years this past year.

Tom Kruesel writes in: “As an urban beekeeper,

January 9, 2021

Tom Kruesel writes in: “As an urban beekeeper, I can see some validity in the concern over competition between honeybees and native bees and wasps. (Many of which are also pollinators.) However, my personal experience has been the exact opposite. When I started keeping bees, I also started planting massive amounts of flowers in my yard and on the city boulevard. … More Tom Kruesel writes in: “As an urban beekeeper,

Urban beekeeping can be bad for wild bees.

January 7, 2021

Urban beekeeping has been touted as a way to boost pollination and improve sustainability, food security and biodiversity in cities. Many people and businesses who’ve added beehives to their backyards and rooftops (including CBC) say they’re doing it to help fight declines in bee populations.  But researchers say urban beekeepers are likely doing just the opposite when it comes … More Urban beekeeping can be bad for wild bees.

Loss of bees causes shortage of key food crops, study finds.

December 30, 2020

Apple and cherry production hampered by lack of wild bees. Bees affected by loss of habitat, pesticides and climate crisis. A lack of bees in agricultural areas is limiting the supply of some food crops, a new US-based study has found, suggesting that declines in the pollinators may have serious ramifications for global food security.‘Murder … More Loss of bees causes shortage of key food crops, study finds.