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Bayer and Syngenta criticised for secrecy after unpublished research obtained under freedom of information law linked high doses of their products to damage to the health of bee colonies. Unpublished field trials by pesticide manufacturers show their products cause serious harm to honeybees at high levels, leading to calls from senior scientists for the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

Honey bees fend off giant hornets with animal feces.

February 3, 2021

What’s the best way to ward off giant hornets if you’re a honeybee? Animal dung, according to a first-ever University of Guelph study. U of G researchers have discovered honeybees in Vietnam collect and apply spots of animal dung around hive entrances to deter deadly nest raids by an Asian hornet (Vespa soror) whose North American … More Honey bees fend off giant hornets with animal feces.

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.”

Bee neighborly — sharing bees helps more farmers.

January 22, 2021

Many farmers are used to sharing big equipment — like tractors and other costly machinery — with neighboring farms. Sharing cuts costs, lowers the farmer’s debt load, and increases community wellbeing. But big machinery might not be the only opportunity for farmers to reap the benefits of cost-sharing with their neighbors. New research suggests that … More Bee neighborly — sharing bees helps more farmers.

Research suggests honey also more effective than many over-the-counter medicines.

January 19, 2021

Honey better treatment for coughs and colds than antibiotics, study claims. Backing for honey remedy – Honey may be better than other treatments for coughs, blocked noses and sore throats, Oxford university researchers have said. They combed through studies that compared honey and preparations containing it, against antihistamines, expectorants, cough suppressants and painkillers. Honey seemed more effective than usual care for improving … More Research suggests honey also more effective than many over-the-counter medicines.

Does city life make bumble bees larger?

January 16, 2021

Does urbanisation drive bumblebee evolution? A new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig provides an initial indication of this. According to the study, bumblebees are larger in cities and, therefore, more productive than their rural counterparts. In Evolutionary Applications, the research team reports that differences … More Does city life make bumble bees larger?