Scott MacIvor and Andrew Moore have found that Bees are using an unlikely resource to help construct their nests – plastic. Their research has found that two species of megachilid bees have started using plastic, independently of one another, for nest construction. The full article is available here courtesy of the ESA.
Author: Mannering, Christy
Bees Provide a Sweet Solution to Airbus’ Pollution Problem
Beehives are placed near an airport runway in Hamburg to measure pollution levels on behalf of aircraft manufacturing giant Airbus.
Bee Social Behavior in Action!
This video captures the social behavior of Bumble bees, one of the eusocial species within the family Apidae, in action!
Researchers find that wildflower abundance is linked to wild bee abundance and pollinator services
This article published in the Journal of Applied Ecology details how planting wildflowers adjacent to crop fields serves to increase wild bee diversity and enhance the pollinator services provided by these wild bees.
Spider venom, an unlikely savior!
Read how spider venom from the Australian funnel web spider, one of the world’s most venomous spiders, can be used as a Honey bee friendly biopesticide.
Antimicrobial Effects of Honey
This publication from the American Chemical Society (ACS) discusses how honey produced by honey bees can have beneficial health effects, specifically focusing on how honey can help to fight infections. Characteristics of honey, including its acidity and high sugar concentration, help your body fight off harmful bacteria.
Canola and Bees
This video from the Canola Council of Canada highlights some of the best management practices to be used when handling bees, a vital pollinator in the canola industry.
Bee Diversity and Blueberry production
Researchers from NC State have found that increased wild bee diversity enhances the productivity and stability of blueberry plants, emphasizing the trend that increased in bee diversity provides a multitude of ecosystem services.
Tiny flying robots being built to pollinate crops
Check out how a team of researchers from Harvard University are developing RoboBees– bee sized robots that could eventually be used to supplement the declining bee population in the pollination of flowering plants.
Nature’s Dying Migrant Worker
This insightful article discusses the value of Honey bees to the farming industry, and discusses why the great losses that are being seen in Honey bee populations will be harmful in the near future. The full article by Josephine Marcotty is available here via the Star Tribune.