Tag

Honeybees

All articles tagged with #honeybees

science3 days ago•4 min saved

Hybrid California Honeybees Show Natural Edge Against Varroa Mites

UC Riverside tracked 236 colonies from 2019–2022 and found locally adapted hybrid California honeybees maintain lower Varroa mite loads—about 68% fewer mites and five times less likelihood of needing chemical treatments—than commercial queens. Lab tests also showed Varroa mites are less attracted to larvae from hybrid bees, especially around seven days old, hinting at a genetic defense formed early in development. The bees aren’t fully resistant, and researchers aim to identify the traits for future breeding to reduce chemical reliance and bolster global pollinator health.

via SciTechDaily|

#bee-genetics #california-hybrids #honeybees

science1 month ago•42 min saved

Californian Hybrid Bees Naturally Fight Varroa Mites, Study Finds

Researchers from UC Riverside report that a locally adapted Southern California honeybee population, often feral, shows strong resistance to Varroa destructor mites, with colonies led by Californian hybrid queens exhibiting 68% fewer mites and five times less need for chemical treatments; larval studies indicate mites are less attracted to these bees, suggesting a genetic basis for resistance that could inform breeding programs to improve bee health and crop pollination.

via Good News Network|

#bee-resistance #breeding-programs #california

nature4 months ago•7 min saved

Bees Turn Up the Heat to Roast the Giant Hornet

BBC Wildlife explains how Japanese honeybees defend against the largest hornet by luring it into the hive and rapidly heating the surrounding air to about 46°C, roasting the intruder in a cooperative defense honed over millions of years on Honshu.

via BBC Wildlife Magazine|

#beekeeping #coevolution #heat-based-defense

science7 months ago•5 min saved

Superfood Boosts Honeybee Conservation and Global Health

A new study highlights the importance of specific sterols in honeybee diets, particularly 24-methylenecholesterol, which is crucial for brood development. Researchers used genetic engineering to produce these sterols in yeast, creating a potential supplement to support bee colonies during pollen shortages, thereby improving colony resilience and sustainability.

via Earth.com|

#beekeeping #biotechnology #honeybees

biology9 months ago•57 min saved

Engineered Yeast Boosts Honeybee Reproduction and Colony Health

Engineered yeast produces essential pollen sterols, like 24-methylenecholesterol, to supplement honeybee diets, supporting brood production and colony health amid declining natural floral resources caused by climate and land use changes.

via Nature|

#biology #honeybees #nutritional-supplements

world1 year ago•2 min saved

Massive Honeybee Spill in Washington Sparks Rescue Efforts

A truck carrying 250 million honeybees overturned near the US-Canada border in Washington, causing the bees to escape and swarm, leading to a rescue effort by local authorities and beekeepers to recover and secure the bees, highlighting the importance and fragility of bee populations.

via The Guardian|

#beekeeping #honeybees #overturn

world1 year ago•2 min saved

Massive Bee Escape After Truck Crash Near US-Canada Border

A truck carrying 250 million honeybees overturned in Washington, causing a swarm that temporarily overwhelmed local authorities. Efforts are underway to rescue and contain the bees, with experts emphasizing the importance of quick response and proper planning for such incidents.

via Newser|

#beekeepers #bees #honeybees

world1 year ago•1 min saved

250 Million Bees Escape After Truck Crash in Washington

Approximately 250 million honeybees escaped after an overturned truck in Washington, prompting rescue efforts by beekeepers and authorities to contain and re-hive the insects, with most expected to return to their hives within 24-48 hours.

via BBC|

#bees #honeybees #rescue

world1 year ago•1 min saved

Massive Bee Escape in Washington After Truck Crash

Approximately 250 million bees escaped after a truck carrying over 70,000 pounds of hives overturned in Washington state. The bees were released from the hives, and efforts are underway to rescue and re-hive them, with authorities closing the area for 24-48 hours to facilitate the process.

via CBS News|

#bees #environment #honeybees

world1 year ago•2 min saved

250 Million Honeybees Escape After Truck Crash in Washington

A truck carrying 70,000 pounds of honeybees and hives rolled over in Washington, releasing 250 million bees, prompting emergency efforts to recapture them and warnings for the public to stay away due to potential swarming and stings.

via The New York Times|

#bee-escape #emergency-response #honeybees

environment1 year ago•2 min saved

Minnesota Honeybee Decline Linked to Mites and Warm Fall

Minnesota beekeepers are experiencing sudden disappearances of honeybee colonies, likely due to varroa mite infestations exacerbated by an unusually warm fall. The mites, which spread viruses among bees, have been a persistent issue, and the extended egg-laying season has allowed them to proliferate. This situation differs from "colony collapse disorder," as the entire hive, including the queen, vanishes. Despite these challenges, beekeepers like Kirk Nelson remain committed to their operations, planning to start new hives in the spring.

via Star Tribune|

#beekeeping #colony-collapse #environment

science1 year ago•2 min saved

"Honeybee Wing Slap Repels Ant Invaders"

Asian honeybees use their wings to slap invading ants away from their hives, a low-energy defense mechanism that effectively sends smaller ant species tumbling through the air, as revealed by slow-motion video research from Japan's National Institute for Environmental Studies.

via The New York Times|

#ants #hive-defense #honeybees

science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Study Confirms: Tapping Hive Reveals Honeybee Colony Health"

A study by scientists at Nottingham Trent University has confirmed that monitoring the reaction of honeybee colonies to a gentle vibrational pulse can reveal their health and activity levels without the need for invasive inspections. By using an accelerometer embedded within hives, the researchers found that bees' responses to the pulse varied throughout the year, indicating their level of activity and restfulness. This non-invasive method could provide valuable insights for beekeepers and potentially lead to the development of a device for real-time monitoring of honeybee colonies.

via Phys.org|

#beekeeping #colony-health #honeybees

science-and-environment2 years ago•4 min saved

Unveiling the Truth: Do Honeybees Really Insulate Their Colonies Against Cold?

A study at the University of Leeds challenges the traditional theory that honeybees naturally insulate their colonies against the cold. The research suggests that clustering, where bees huddle together, may actually cause thermal stress and increase heat loss. The study calls for a revision of beekeeping practices to improve bee welfare and raises awareness about the complex interaction between colony enclosure, thermofluids, and honeybee behavior. The findings indicate that clustering is a survival behavior in response to an existential threat, resulting in increased stress and potential harm to the bees. The researcher urges further debate on the ethical treatment of insects and the need for changes in beekeeping practices.

via SciTechDaily|

#bee-welfare #beekeeping #honeybees

biology2 years ago•3 min saved

Cracking the Centennial Enigma: Unveiling the Molecular Dice that Determine Bee Sex

Researchers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf have identified a key gene, known as Csd (Complementary sex determiner), and the molecular mechanism associated with it, solving a genetic mystery that has persisted for over a century. The Csd gene, which can have over 100 variations, plays a crucial role in determining the sex of bees. When two different variants of the Csd gene are present, a female bee develops, while the presence of the same variants results in a male bee. The study sheds light on the intricate process of bee sex determination and may contribute to advancements in bee breeding.

via SciTechDaily|

#bee-sex-determination #biology #csd-gene