Plant discovery could lead to wider use of bee-friendly pesticides

It’s a sad fact that even though bees are essential to pollinating crops, they’re also harmed by the pesticides used on those very same plants. Thanks to a new discovery, however, a bee-friendly pesticide could soon be cheaper and easier to produce.Con… Continue reading Plant discovery could lead to wider use of bee-friendly pesticides

Puzzling study finds bee lifespans are now 50% shorter than 50 years ago

Striking research from a pair of entomologists at the University of Maryland suggests the lifespan of honey bees kept in controlled laboratory conditions is 50% shorter than what was seen in the 1970s. The researchers hypothesize genetic changes in bee… Continue reading Puzzling study finds bee lifespans are now 50% shorter than 50 years ago

Study suggests fertilizers may hamper bees’ ability to identify flowers

A number of studies have already shown that synthetic chemicals can harm the bees that are vital to the pollination of plants. New research now additionally indicates that fertilizers may disrupt bees’ ability to identify flowers, reducing the likeliho… Continue reading Study suggests fertilizers may hamper bees’ ability to identify flowers

Insect swarms can generate as much static electricity as a storm cloud

Insects have been known to sense and tap into electric fields, but new research shows that swarms can actually produce atmospheric electric charges. By measuring the extent of this influence, the scientists found that large swarms could produce as much… Continue reading Insect swarms can generate as much static electricity as a storm cloud

Dancing bees inspire alternative communication system for robots

We’ve heard about robots that communicate with one another via wireless networks, in order to collaborate on tasks. Sometimes, however, such networks aren’t an option. A new bee-inspired technique gets the bots to “dance” instead.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Dancing bees inspire alternative communication system for robots

“Air bee and bee” lets visitors sleep to the buzz of a million bees

In an effort to create some buzz for the recent World Bee Day on May 20, Italian beekeeper Rocco Filomeno has built a wonderfully whimsical “Air bee and bee” tiny house-style dwelling. Installed in an olive garden in rural Italy, the basic-but-novel sh… Continue reading “Air bee and bee” lets visitors sleep to the buzz of a million bees

Carrion-eater gut bacteria help vulture bees ditch nectar for meat

A team of scientists at the University of California, Riverside is studying a species of “vulture bee” that has swapped a vegetarian diet for carrion meat by developing an extra tooth and gut bacteria similar to that found in vultures and hyenas.Contin… Continue reading Carrion-eater gut bacteria help vulture bees ditch nectar for meat