Tag: biology

Laws of attraction: Pollinators use multiple cues to identify flowers across continents

December 3, 2017

Source: National Centre for Biological SciencesSummary:Although at least 75 percent of our crop species depend on animal pollinators, little is known about their flower preferences. As global insect populations decline, it is of utmost importance for us to understand what factors attract wild pollinators to flowers, and how these preferences differ in the face of … More Laws of attraction: Pollinators use multiple cues to identify flowers across continents

A Grassroots Organization Launch of ‘Back from the Brink’

November 19, 2017

Wednesday November 15, 2017 saw the official launch of one of the most ambitious conservation programmes in England – Back from the Brink. Project partners, volunteers and other distinguished guests met at Windsor Great Park to celebrate the launch of the programme, which aims to bring 20 species back from the brink of extinction. This is … More A Grassroots Organization Launch of ‘Back from the Brink’

The fight to save the rusty-patched bumble bee and how you can help

May 22, 2017

Its population and range have declined by 87 percent. Now, there’s a 90 percent probability of extinction for the bee if no action is taken to save it. The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee was meant to become the first bee in North America listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), effective February 10, 2017. However, a … More The fight to save the rusty-patched bumble bee and how you can help

Los Angeles buzzing over backyard beehives

May 19, 2017

The Los Angeles City Council approved a draft proposal to allow hobbyist beekeepers to maintain hives in their backyards. Cities across the country have legalized beekeeping to help rebuild honeybee colonies. By Henry Gass Jason Lee/The Sun News via AP/File Los Angeles moved closer this week to allowing residents to keep beehives, making the city … More Los Angeles buzzing over backyard beehives

Honey bees have sharper eyesight than we thought

May 17, 2017

Bees have much better vision than was previously known, offering new insights into the lives of honey bees, and new opportunities for translating this knowledge into fields such as robot vision, outlines a new study. This is a western honey bee, also known as a European honey bee (Apis mellifera). Researchers at Lund University, Sweden, … More Honey bees have sharper eyesight than we thought

To save honey bees, human behavior must change

May 12, 2017

Poor management practices have enabled spread of bee pathogens, bee researcher argues In the search for answers to the complex health problems and colony losses experienced by honey bees in recent years, it may be time for professionals and hobbyists in the beekeeping industry to look in the mirror. In a research essay to be … More To save honey bees, human behavior must change

Scientists track gene activity when honey bees do and don’t eat honey: Significant differences depending on diet

May 8, 2017

Many beekeepers feed their honey bees sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup when times are lean inside the hive. This practice has come under scrutiny, however, in response to colony collapse disorder, the massive — and as yet not fully explained — annual die-off of honey bees in the U.S. and Europe. Some suspect that inadequate … More Scientists track gene activity when honey bees do and don’t eat honey: Significant differences depending on diet

The weaker sex: Male honey bees more susceptible than females to widespread intestinal parasite

May 6, 2017

A research team has found that male European honey bees, or drones, are much more susceptible than female European honey bees, known as workers, to a fungal intestinal parasite called Nosema ceranae. Originally from Asia, Nosema ceranae has rapidly spread throughout the world, and may contribute to the high number of colony deaths now observed … More The weaker sex: Male honey bees more susceptible than females to widespread intestinal parasite

American beekeepers lost 44 percent of bees in 2015-16

October 9, 2016

American beekeepers lost 44 percent of bees in 2015-16 Summer losses rival winter losses for the second year running United States beekeepers lost 44 percent of their honey bee colonies from April 2015 to April 2016, according to the latest preliminary results of an annual nationwide survey. This is a higher overall loss rate than … More American beekeepers lost 44 percent of bees in 2015-16

Single gene separates queen from workers

October 31, 2015

Michigan State University scientists have identified how a single gene in honey bees separates the queens from the workers. A team of scientists unraveled the gene’s inner workings. The gene, which is responsible for leg and wing development, plays a crucial role in the evolution of bees’ ability to carry pollen. Scientists have identified how … More Single gene separates queen from workers