bees

The Asian hornet, or Vespa velutina, is an invasive species in western Europe that is also known by the name “Asian predatory wasp.” It is a close relative to the Asian giant hornet, or murder hornet, that was first spotted in the U.S. in 2019. Both species have raised immediate concerns for honeybee populations. Now, […]

Increased pesticide use, habitat loss and climate change have been contributing to a decades-long decline in global honeybee numbers. Now, a computer science team from University of California, Riverside (UCR), has come up with an innovative way to help. They developed a sensor-based technology with the potential to revolutionize commercial beekeeping, reduce colony losses and […]

While scientists have long known that pesticide use could impact pollinators, a new study reveals how fertilizer could negatively impact these important organisms. Not only that, but the research, which was conducted at the site of the longest ecological experiment in global history, revealed that high fertilizer use could also lead to a decline in […]

An international research team led by Rutgers University has analyzed the crop yields of more than 1,500 agricultural lands on six continents, and found that a lack of pollinators is limiting the global production of important, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, nuts, vegetables and legumes. The researchers found that one- to two-thirds of farms in many […]

Scientists have studied the nutritional profiles of 57 varieties of pollen and discovered that, in order to have a balanced diet of essential amino and fatty acids, bees must forage from a wide array of plants. Urban expansion, farming and climate change have altered the habitats of these crucial pollinators. “Despite public interest and a […]

A new study by a psychologist at University of Stirling in Scotland has found that, like humans, wild bumblebees are capable of logical reasoning. In the study, the bees were tasked with spontaneously locating strips of sugar-coated paper in various colors and positions. In both circumstances, the analysis showed they looked in the correct location […]

After the Vermont state legislature overrode a veto from Governor Phil Scott, Vermont has now become the second state in the U.S. to ban neonicotinoids, or neonics, a type of pesticide that is particularly harmful to bees. The ban comes at the start of Pollinator Week. The bill was vetoed by Governor Scott on May […]

Bumblebees are essential pollinators, but many species are in a downward spiral that is sometimes a mystery to scientists. In a new study, researchers have found that the increasing temperatures of the human-caused climate crisis may be interfering with climate control in bumblebee nests, threatening future generations. “The decline in populations and ranges of several […]