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Bumblebees (and insecticides), again !

Bumblebees (and insecticides), again !

by Chris, 5 May, 2017, 0 comments

Bumblebees face a number of threats from habitat fragmentation, intensification of farming, loss of hay meadows and hedgerows, the use of insecticides and climate change.  Globally, many species of bumblebee are under threat. Bumblebees are social insects, that is, they live in colonies.  A colony or nest is established by a queen, who lays eggs - which then give rise to several hundred ‘daughter’ workers.  Later in the summer, males and new queens hatch from eggs and they leave the nest and go in search of a mate.  When fertilised, these queens go on to hibernate - having fed on pollen and nectar in order to build up fat reserves for the winter months. Read more...
Bumblebee survival

Bumblebee survival

by Chris, 19 April, 2017, 2 comments

The warmth of recent days has seen bumblebee queens foraging among the Spring flowers.    They have emerged from hibernation.  They now need to feed and then find a place to create a nest.  The queen will then lay eggs, which will become ‘daughter workers’.  Later in the season, males and new queens hatch - they will leave the nest / colony.  The new queens that are fertilised will hibernate after they have fed (heavily hopefully) on nectar and pollen from available flowers. Researchers at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the University of East Anglia, the Zoological Society of London and University College London, have been studying different generations Read more...
Pollen picking bumblebees.

Pollen picking bumblebees.

by Chris, 4 August, 2016, 1 comments

It has been known for some time that bees and bumblebees are attracted to flowers by their colour(s), scent (volatile oils), shape, nectar and indeed electric fields (see recent post).  However, it has now been shown that bumblebees can pick a plant on the basis of the nutritional content of its pollen. Anthony Vaudo et al at the Centre for Pollinator Research (Penn State University) recorded the foraging patterns of bumblebees in defined outdoor areas, and then determined the chemical make-up (carbohydrate, protein and lipid levels) of the pollen from the different species present.  They found that the bumblebees went for pollen with a high Protein:Lipid value.    Read more...
Electric bumblebees

Electric bumblebees

by Chris, 15 June, 2016, 1 comments

Flowers have various ways of tempting pollinating insects to visit them.  Indeed, some have very complex mechanisms to promote pollination and fertilisation, for example, the bee orchid.  In order to attract pollinating bees, the orchid has evolved “bee-look-alike” flowers.  These draw the bees in with the “promise of sex”.  They attempt to mate with the flower, landing on the velvety lip of the flower and pollen is transferred.  The bee leaves ‘frustrated’.  However, the right species of bee doesn't live in the U.K., so here bee orchids self-pollinate. Read more...
Bumblebees and climate change.

Bumblebees and climate change.

by Lewis, 13 August, 2015, 2 comments

Bumblebees are important pollinating agents of food crops (especially of fruit - like blueberries) and also of many wild flowers.   Some sources have estimated that insect pollination is key to the production of a third of the foods and drinks that we consume. Unfortunately, bumblebee species have been in decline for some time; indeed, during the course of the 20th century, the short haired bumblebee became extinct in the United Kingdom.   The reason for the decline in bumblebee numbers (and species) is not clear but habitat loss and the extensive / intensive use of pesticides have been cited. However, recent analysis by research scientists*  in the States, Canada and Europe indicates that global warming is a key factor. Read more...
The life cycle of bumblebees - Part 2

The life cycle of bumblebees – Part 2

by Chris, 24 April, 2015, 1 comments

The first bees to emerge from the eggs are all females. When they emerge they are ‘white’ and their wings are crumpled. Soon, blood or haemolymph is pumped into the veins of the wings – and the wings expand and then harden.   It takes longer (1 / 2 days) for the body colours to develop. Before long, some of these young females or workers will venture of of the nest to look for food.   They will also take on responsibility for the next batch of grubs, which the queen will have laid whilst the first generation of workers were pupating. The queen now no longer gathers her own food, but is fed by her worker offspring. Read more...
The life cycle of bumblebees (Part 1).

The life cycle of bumblebees (Part 1).

by Chris, 17 April, 2015, 10 comments

Different species of bumblebees make their nests in different places (using feathers, hair, dried moss or grass or materials for loft insulation). White tailed bumblebees May be found under the floor of garden sheds Buff tailed bumblebees May use air bricks and nest in the cavity walls of house Early bumblebees Often use old birds’ nests in trees Tree bumblebees Make use of holes in tree trunks Carder bees May use grass tussocks, dry leaves e.g. Under bramble thickets   Read more...
Bees and bumblebees : the threat of extinction.

Bees and bumblebees : the threat of extinction.

by Lewis, 11 April, 2015, 10 comments

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) publishes the Red List.   It is a list of species that are under threat in different parts of the world; it goes back to 1964 when it published the ‘list of threatened plants’. By 2012, the IUCN assessed a total of 63,837 species and reported on their status in the following terms: Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining. Extinct in the wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalised population outside its historic range. Read more...

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