Tag

Pollinators

All articles tagged with #pollinators

science17 hours ago•8 min saved

Nectar with a Buzz: Ethanol Found in Flowers Used by Pollinators

UC Berkeley researchers found ethanol in the nectar of 26 of 29 plant species, meaning bees and hummingbirds regularly ingest tiny amounts of alcohol as they forage; most levels are trace, with one sample at about 0.056% ethanol. For hummingbirds, this could amount to roughly the equivalent of a human one alcoholic drink per day; experiments show they tolerate modest alcohol but avoid higher concentrations, and feathers contain a metabolite indicating alcohol processing. The findings suggest dietary ethanol is widespread and may subtly affect pollinator behavior, with ongoing studies comparing intake across species.

via SciTechDaily|

#bees #ethanol #hummingbirds

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

lifestyle1 month ago•1 min saved

Spring Garden Wins: Rabbit-Resistant Choices and Smart Planting

Gardening expert Dave Epstein answers readers’ questions on tackling critters and selecting spring plants, noting mid-April is prime for planting perennials, trees and shrubs while avoiding warm-season crops. He highlights rabbit-resistant options like echinacea, goldenrod and New England asters, and suggests measures such as fencing around vegetable beds to deter critters, plus tips that support pollinators during the season.

via The Boston Globe|

#gardening #lifestyle #perennials

science1 month ago•5 min saved

Underground Bee Megacity Discovered Beneath Ithaca Cemetery

Researchers from Cornell estimated about 5.56 million ground-nesting Andrena regularis bees emerging from a 6,500 square meter area beneath East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York—one of the largest bee aggregations on record—highlighting how undisturbed soil in cemeteries can support abundant, often overlooked pollinators.

via The Daily Galaxy|

#andrena-regularis #bees #ground-nesting

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Ithaca cemetery hides a 5.5-million-bee underground city

Researchers find Ithaca’s East Lawn Cemetery hosts about 5.5 million Andrena regularis ground-nesting bees—one of the world’s largest known aggregations—estimated using emergence traps. The study, highlighting cemeteries as biodiversity refuges and the importance of wild pollinators for crops, also details emergence timing, brood parasitism by nomad bees, and a new global citizen-science project to document such aggregations.

via Cornell Chronicle|

#andrena-regularis #bees #biodiversity

gardening3 months ago•59 min saved

Meet the 12 Birth Month Bees and How to Welcome Them to Your Garden

A Homes & Gardens guide lists one birth-month bee for each month, with identification tips and practical ways to support them year-round—plant nectar-rich flowers, provide nesting sites like bee hotels or bare ground, and maintain wildlife-friendly habitat—plus product picks to boost pollinator gardens.

via Homes and Gardens|

#bees #birth-month-bees #gardening

wildlife4 months ago•56 min saved

Rare Chestnut Mining Bee Discovered in Upstate Orchard Expands NY Range

A SUNY ESF ecologist found a chestnut mining bee in a Syracuse orchard—the rare pollinator last seen in southern New York in 1904—marking the first NY sighting north of the Hudson and highlighting ongoing chestnut restoration work that supports pollinators in urban settings.

via The Dodo|

#chestnut-mining-bee #new-york #orchard-restoration

environment6 months ago•4 min saved

Crop Chemicals Alter Behavior in Bees and Fish

A study by UFZ scientists found that crop chemicals like fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides cause significant behavioral changes in honeybees and zebrafish, even at environmentally relevant low concentrations, suggesting the need for more complex behavioral testing in chemical risk assessments to better protect non-target organisms and biodiversity.

via Phys.org|

#aquatic-life #behavioral-changes #ecotoxicology

environment8 months ago•4 min saved

Green Bus Stops Boost Bees and Community Well-being

Green bus stops with living roofs are being implemented worldwide to combat urban heat, support pollinators, and integrate nature into cities, with potential to significantly increase urban green space and improve environmental health.

via The Washington Post|

#environment #green-bus-stops #green-roofs

science9 months ago•4 min saved

56 Million Years Ago: Rapid Warming and Its Impact on Pollinators

A study of 56 million-year-old fossil pollen reveals that during a rapid global warming event, pollination shifted from wind to animal pollination, with plants from dry tropical regions expanding poleward, offering insights into how ecosystems respond to climate change and the importance of rate of change for survival.

via Space|

#climate-change #ecosystem-resilience #fossil-pollen

environment9 months ago•2 min saved

Urban Green Spaces Essential for Pollinator Conservation

Research in UK cities shows urbanization significantly reduces pollinator diversity, especially moths and hover flies, which are more sensitive than bees. To support these vital insects, gardeners are encouraged to create diverse habitats and collaborate with neighbors to form larger ecological networks, helping urban ecosystems thrive.

via The Guardian|

#biodiversity #environment #hover-flies

environment11 months ago•4 min saved

Farm Fungicide Linked to Insect Decline

Research shows that the widely used fungicide chlorothalonil, common in Australian agriculture, significantly harms beneficial insects like fruit flies even at low levels, potentially contributing to the global insect decline known as the 'insect apocalypse.' The study highlights the need for more sustainable farming practices and further research on chemical impacts on non-target species.

via Phys.org|

#agriculture #chlorothalonil #environment

gardening11 months ago•4 min saved

Deadheading Bee Balm for Continuous Summer Blooms

Deadheading bee balm throughout the summer prolongs its blooming period, keeps the plant neat, and promotes healthier growth by redirecting energy from seed production to new flower buds. It is best to deadhead regularly once flowers fade, using sharp pruning shears, and can also help prevent powdery mildew and unwanted reseeding. The process is simple and can be incorporated into regular garden maintenance for more vibrant and extended blooms.

via Homes and Gardens|

#bee-balm #deadheading #flowering

environment1 year ago•2 min saved

Urban Wildflower Patches Rival Natural Meadows for Insect Support

A study from Warsaw University, published in Ecological Entomology, reveals that small urban wildflower patches can support pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hoverflies as effectively as natural meadows. Despite fewer butterflies in urban areas, the diversity of species remains comparable, suggesting that urban wildflower meadows can help mitigate insect decline and enhance biodiversity in cities.

via The Guardian|

#environment #insect-decline #pollinators

environment1 year ago•2 min saved

The Environmental Impact of Bees Killed by Cars

A new study published in the journal Sustainable Environment reveals that millions of bees are killed annually by cars in the U.S., posing significant threats to the environment and economy. Researchers in Utah used sticky traps on car bumpers to estimate bee casualties, finding that a single 230-mile trip could kill up to 175 bees. With bees being crucial pollinators for about a third of the world's food supply, their declining populations, exacerbated by road collisions, could have severe ecological and economic consequences. The study suggests planting vegetation on road sides rather than medians to help mitigate bee deaths.

via New York Post |

#bees #conservation #environment