Tag: pollinators
-
The Surprising Reason Bees Replace Their Queens: How Supersedure Keeps Colonies Strong
Understanding Supersedure: The Cornerstone of Bee Colony Resilience Bees are famous for their organized society and intricate social roles, but one of the most fascinating mechanisms in a hive is queen supersedure — the process by which a colony replaces its reigning queen. This natural strategy helps ensure that the colony remains productive and resilient…
-
Science News This Week: CDC Turmoil, NASA’s 3I/ATLAS Images, and Combating an Insect Apocalypse
Overview: A Week of High-Stakes Science and Public Trust This week’s science news wove together public health, space exploration, and biodiversity threats, spotlighting the delicate balance between scientific rigor and public trust. From congressional scrutiny of the CDC’s leadership to the long-awaited release of NASA’s 3I/ATLAS project images and urgent discussions on preventing a potential…
-
Stopping the Spread of the Deadly Yellow-Legged Hornet in New Zealand: What You Can Do
The urgent threat: yellow-legged hornets in New Zealand The discovery of yellow-legged hornet nests in Auckland has sparked concern across New Zealand. With six confirmed detections so far, including four queens, researchers and local authorities are mobilizing to prevent a rapid spread. The presence of even a small nest more than a kilometer apart suggests…
-
Alberta Beekeeper Tests Australian Insulated Hives as a New Path for Canadian Beekeeping
Overview: A new premise for a beleaguered industry In Alberta, a master beekeeper is challenging conventional wisdom about hive design in a bid to bolster a struggling Canadian beekeeping sector. Sheldon Hill, based three hours southeast of Calgary, is evaluating a product from Australia that promises superior insulation and improved winter survivability for bees. While…
-
First documented case: a plant that smells like ants to attract pollinators
Uncovering an unusual pollination strategy In a quiet greenhouse in Tokyo, a striking observation by plant biologist Ko Mochizuki has sparked a reexamination of how plants attract pollinators. Flies were gathering around blooms from an obscure plant species, yet there was no nectar to tempt them and the flowers lacked the vivid colors typically associated…
-
Further Asian Hornet Sightings in Northern Ireland Prompt Alarm and Call for Vigilance
Northern Ireland Under Watch as Asian Hornet Sightings Increase Authorities in Northern Ireland have confirmed additional sightings of the highly invasive Asian hornet in the Dundonald area of Belfast, following the first confirmed sighting in the same locality last Friday. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) said the recurring reports strongly suggest the presence of…
-
Further Asian Hornet Sightings in Northern Ireland Prompt Track-and-Trace Response
Rising Asian Hornet Sightings in Northern Ireland New sightings of the Asian hornet have been confirmed in Northern Ireland, with officials from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) announcing that additional observations have been made in the Dundonald area of Belfast. This follows the report of the first confirmed sighting in the same locality last…
-
Further Asian Hornet Sightings in Northern Ireland Prompt Action as NIEA Responds
Rising concerns as Asian hornets return to Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has confirmed additional sightings of the invasive Asian hornet in the Dundonald area of Belfast, following the first confirmation last Friday in the same vicinity. The development suggests there may already be a nest nearby, amplifying concerns about the hornet’s…
-
Solar Farms Could Save Bumblebees: A Green Path for UK Habitats
Overview: Solar energy and bumblebee conservation As the UK accelerates its transition to renewable energy, a new study highlights a promising synergy: solar farms that are carefully managed for biodiversity can become vital habitats for declining bumblebee populations. Bumblebees play a crucial role in pollination, supporting both wild ecosystems and agricultural crops. The research suggests…
-
Solar Farms Could Save Bumblebees in the UK
Solar Farms as Ahabitats for Bumblebees As the world accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, solar farms are proving they can do more than power homes and factories. A new UK study suggests that, when managed with biodiversity in mind, solar farms can become valuable habitats for declining bumblebee populations. Bumblebees, essential pollinators for crops…