Michał Filipiak, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University
Bees need pollen to survive and grow, but not all plants can provide the right mix.
Tiny hairs cover the bodies of honeybees — including this one dusted in pollen — that allow them to detect molecular “fingerprints” similar to how home security sensors work.
(Shutterstock)
Extra “eyes” on top of bee heads help them see colours the same way under all light conditions. And it’s an approach that could help us design better cameras.
Two papers published today report that neonicotinoids have negative effects on honey bees and wild bees in realistic field experiments.
from www.shutterstock.com
Phil Lester, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Two large-scale studies confirm that neonicotinoid pesticides can harm bees. But the effects vary widely in different countries, suggesting that calls for a world ban would be premature.
Tlou Masehela, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Beekeeping cannot depend on a single forage source. This makes the business of ensuring bees have what they need to stay healthy a precarious business.
Bees have been living with the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder for a decade.
Simon Klein
It’s a decade since US beekeepers first noticed that their bees were mysteriously dying. Now we know much more about Colony Collapse Disorder, raising hopes that we can turn bees’ fortunes around.
Sarah Cusser, The University of Texas at Austin e Shalene Jha, The University of Texas at Austin
Bees and other pollinating insects are under stress worldwide. Research in South Texas shows that simple steps like planting wildflowers near fields can help pollinators and boost farmers’ profits.
Honey bees, which pollinate many valuable crops, are threatened by parasites, pesticides and development. But selective breeding, more benign pesticides and better nutrition could help turn the tide.
Are compound eyes the window to the soul?
Gilles San Martin/Flickr
Honey bees are in decline and the current method of keeping them can be disruptive to a colony. But new designs allow beekeepers to monitor a hive remotely, even sniff out disease and pests.
Leatherwood flowers give Tasmanian honey its unique taste.
Anthony O'Grady
Elephant numbers are increasing in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Their search for food is leading them into conflict with farmers living adjacent to game parks. Bees could prove to be the answer to the problem.
Life hasn’t been sweet for the honeybees lately.
Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters
To understand why insects sting and why the stings of such tiny animals hurt so much, we first needed a way to measure the pain they cause. So I created a sting pain index.