Information about Bees and Other Pollinators
Rosanna Mattingly Editor, Western Apicultural Society Journal Editor, The Bee Line, Oregon State Beekeepers Association
IN THIS ISSUE . . .
How Does Climate Change Affect Bees?
Some Pollinators Swipe Right on Annual Ornamental Flowers How flowers adapt to their pollinators
Invest in pollinator monitoring for long-term gain
Wild Pollinators Get the Job Done
University finalizes agreement with energy company for newest solar farm
Life Through A Bee’s Eyes: New Software Replicates Animal Vision
Build inexperienced highways for bees to assist save very important pollinators
BIP Tech Team Field Agents as Early Alarm Systems
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation Across the Country FROM CATCH THE BUZZ
How Does Climate Change Affect Bees?
Bees are flying insects that contribute to the survival of many living beings including humans. They are closely associated with ants and wasps and are popular for their production of beeswax and honey. One of the significant ways in which honey bees affect livelihoods is their ability to pollinate billions of plants every year. In the US alone, honey bees are responsible for the pollination of $15 billion worth of crops. Pollination is a critical process in plants whereby pollen is transferred from the male part of the plant to the female part resulting in fertilization. Consequently, plants are capable of sexual reproduction that produces the next generation of crops. Plants are part of the food chain resulting in it being a source of food for herbivores. They are also responsible for the purification of the atmosphere as they take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen to it. Bees, through pollination, ensure there is continuous multiplication of the plants pollinated by them. Besides pollination, honey bees are important to the world’s population and ecosystem as they provide food security, sustainable farming and income, and biodiversity. They are also used by environmentalists to assess environmental health. In view of this, climate change does affect bees in multiple ways as discussed here. . . .
To continue reading: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-does-climate-change-affect-bees.html
❀
Some Pollinators Swipe Right on Annual Ornamental Flowers
Melissa Mayer
When it comes to flowers, the traits humans prefer—things like low pollen production, brighter colors, and changes to the height and shape of plants—are a mixed bag for pollinators. Plants bred for larger flowers or extended bloom times may be a boon for some hungry pollinators, but structural changes in the plants can make it harder for pollinators to handle the flowers, access nectar, or even find the flowers in the first place.
In a recent study published in Environmental Entomology . . .
To continue reading: https://entomologytoday.org/2019/12/06/some-pollinators-swipe-right-on-annual-ornamental-flowers/
❀ How flowers adapt to their pollinators
University of Vienna
Flowering plants are characterized by an astonishing diversity of flowers of different shapes and sizes. This diversity has arisen in adaptation to selection imposed by different pollinators including, among others, bees, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds, bats or rodents. Although several studies have documented that pollinators can impose strong selection pressures on flowers, our understanding of how flowers diversify remains fragmentary. For example, does the entire . . .
To continue reading: https://phys.org/news/2019-12-pollinators.html
❀
Invest in pollinator monitoring for long-term gain
British Ecological Society
New research shows that for every $1 invested in pollinator monitoring schemes, at least $1.50 can be saved, from otherwise costly independent research projects.
A research team from the University of Reading and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology is studying how to improve pollinator monitoring in the UK in a cost-effective manner. The preliminary results are presented today at the British Ecological Society’s annual meeting in Belfast.
Dr. Tom Breeze, researcher at the University of Reading, who will be . . .
To continue reading: https://phys.org/news/2019-12-invest-pollinator-long-term-gain.html
❀
Wild Pollinators Get the Job Done
Leslie Mertz
Commercial pumpkin growers routinely rent honey bees so they have enough insects to pollinate their crops, but a new study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology suggests that wild bees can do the job for free. The three-year study found that wild bumble bees and squash bees could . . .
To continue reading: https://entomologytoday.org/2019/12/13/wild-pollinators-get-the-job-done/
❀
University finalizes agreement with energy company for newest solar farm
CLARE BUDIN
Renewable energy company Sol Systems announced Tuesday the finalization of a 20-year power purchase agreement with University-connected Prairieland Energy, Inc. for the development and operation of a campus solar farm.
The solar farm is projected to produce 20,000 megawatt-hours of solar power annually, tripling renewable energy production at the University.
In addition to more sustainable energy, the agreement is also predicted to . . .
To continue reading: https://dailyillini.com/news/2019/12/11/university-finalizes-agreement-with-energy-company-for-newest-solar-farm/
❀
Life Through A Bee’s Eyes: New Software Replicates Animal Vision
Leslie Nemo
How other animals see the world is still something of a mystery — but a new software intends to make their perspective easier to picture.
Explained in a paper published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, a research team has assembled a kind of extreme photoshop that lets users change image clarity, color and brightness to more closely resemble what other species might perceive.
A Bee’s Life
The resulting pictures . . .
To continue reading: https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/life-through-a-bees-eyes-new-software-replicates-animal-vision
❀
Build inexperienced highways for bees to assist save very important pollinators
New Scientist staff and Press Association
Urgent action is needed to halt a global decline in pollinators which threatens economies and food supplies, a new review says.
The authors of a major United Nations report blame the decline of pollinators on habitat loss, climate change and farming methods.
Possible solutions include building “bee highways” to allow the insects to move freely between foraging locations, reducing “green deserts” – landscapes dominated by a single crop species – and helping farmers work with nature.
To continue reading: https://wellstonjournal.com/build-inexperienced-highways-for-bees-to-assist-save-very-important-pollinators.html
❀
BIP Tech Team Field Agents as Early Alarm Systems
ROB SNYDER
In Northern California this past spring, colony growth was slow due to the cooler weather. So slow in fact, that most Queen Producers started breeding up to a month late! Additionally, the numerous fungicide applications in the orchards accumulating on forage, may have been another factor impacting colony health and growth. The conditions were so wet this year, growers had to apply more aerial sprays to control fungus. Most of these sprays were performed during the daytime and most likely . . .
To continue reading: https://beeinformed.staging.wpengine.com/2019/12/05/bip-tech-team-field-agents-as-early-alarm-systems/
❀
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation Across the Country
(USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding about $12.5 million in grants to support the development of innovative systems and technologies for private lands conservation.
The funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which is funding the future of agriculture and conservation through grants to organizations and universities that are developing the next generation of tools and technologies to boost conservation on agricultural lands.
“We are funding innovation,” said NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr. “These projects are tackling some of our most critical challenges head on and will result in new science-based tools for our toolbox and cutting-edge systems we can use to help farmers and ranchers improve the health of their operations and protect our natural resources for the future.”
The 2019 funding pool focused on four priority areas: water quantity, urban agriculture, pollinator habitat and accelerating the pace and scale of conservation adoption. NRCS selected 19 projects for CIG awards.
Projects include: . . .
To continue reading: http://agnetwest.com/usda-funds-conservation-innovation-across-country/
❀ FROM CATCH THE BUZZ:
Build Inexperienced Highways for Bees to Assist Save Very Important Pollinators Owen Humphreys/PA Wire By: New Scientist staff and Press Association Urgent action is… Read on » 2. No Honey Bees, No Business
Can You ‘Bee’lieve It? Bees Active Year Round! By: Desiree Bergstrom Harsh Winters Can Be Detrimental To Bee Colonies Used To Pollinate. PHOTO COURTESY… Read on » 3. Emotional Support Animal Is Creating Quite a Buzz
Arizona Man Registers Bees as Emotional Support Animals New York Post An Arizona man’s emotional support animal is creating quite a buzz. Prescott Valley,… Read on » 4. Mechanical Pollination
Successful field trials of Edete’s artificial pollination technology advance entry into the huge California almond market About 75% of the world’s crops rely on… Read on » 5. Buzz- Blaming Farming Practices
Iowa Study Offers New Insights on Honey Bee Health in Ag Landscapes Ames, Iowa — Iowa State University Extension experts say honey bees are… Read on » 6. BIP Needs Your Donation
Hello! The Bee Informed Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to research and collect honey bee health surveillance data and make… Read on » 7. OREI Seeks to Solve Organic Ag. Issues
Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) seeks to solve critical organic agriculture issues, priorities, or problems… Read on » 8. Neonic Crisis Counter Point & Farmers Get 12.1 Cents of a Dollar on What You Spent on Thanksgiving Meal
Challenging Media Narrative About the ‘Birds and The Bees’—Neither Faces Serious Threats from Neonicotinoids or other Crop Chemicals Jon Entine | November 19, 2019 Parents… Read on » 9. Pollinator Friendly Plantings Along Roads and Highways.
United States Senate November 20, 2019 Contact: Martina McLennan/Ray Zaccaro (Merkley) – 202-224-3753 Merkley, Alexander, Carper, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Monarch and… Read on » 10. Family Pet in Training as Detector Dog to Prevent Devastating Bee Disease American Foulbrood.
ABC Newcastle By: Anthony Scully Hunter Valley apiarists Sam and Bianca Giggins are waging a personal battle with bee disease American foulbrood (AFB) with… Read on » 11. On The Greek Island of Ikaria, Where Life Expectancy is Among the Highest in the World, Residents Credit the Local Honey.
Not far from the picture-perfect tourist hubs of Santorini and Mykonos, where cruise ships unload tourists by the thousands, sits another Greek island, more… Read on » 12. Israeli Students Make Fake Honey.
The Technion team’s synthetic honey is produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis, which ‘learns’ to make honey following reprogramming in a lab. By: Brian… Read on » ❀ FROM ABJ EXTRA:
- Artificial Pollination Technology Seeks Entry into the Huge California Almond Market
Press Release – December 3, 2019
Israeli agritech startup Edete Precision Technologies for Agriculture has successfully completed field trials in almond orchards in Israel using its unique mechanical pollen harvesting and pollination system. The field trials are crucial for advancing the company’s planned entry into the huge almond market in California. The trials resulted in a substantially increased yield in Israel. Additionally, Edete has recently tested its technology in Australia and proved its ability to produce high-quality viable pollen.
Larger commercial scale testing of . . . To continue reading: https://mailchi.mp/dadant.com/abj-extra-december-3-2019-artificial-pollination-technology-seeks-entry-into-the-huge-california-almond-market?e=d476a0d684 2. Bee Integrated Demonstration Project Brings Bee Health Stakeholders Together
Support the Coalition’s nonprofit project partners during the season of giving
The Bee Integrated Demonstration Project shows how farmers and beekeepers can combine best practices that address the challenges honey bees face — poor forage and nutrition, hive pests and diseases, and pesticide exposure — in real-world settings. Bee Integrated is made possible thanks to support from more than a dozen organizations. Read on to learn about the project and its nonprofit partners that need your support. The Honey Bee Health Coalition launched . . . To continue reading: https://mailchi.mp/dadant.com/abj-extra-december-2-2019-bee-integrated-demonstration-project-brings-bee-health-stakeholders-together?e=d476a0d684
❀