Early spring brings a ‘hungry gap’ for bees – here’s how you can help

Check that something is blooming every week, March through October, to help bees.

Matthias Becher, Associate Research Fellow in Behavioural Ecology, University of Exeter • conversation
March 28, 2024 ~7 min

Solar power occupies a lot of space – here’s how to make it more ecologically beneficial to the land it sits on

Solar development isn’t always good for the land, but pairing it with agriculture can produce multiple benefits.

Matthew Sturchio, PhD Student in Plant and Ecosystem Ecology, Colorado State University • conversation
March 12, 2024 ~8 min


Wild solitary bees offer a vital pollination service – but their nutritional needs aren’t understood

The nutritional needs of bees are complex and monoculture crops aren’t providing a diverse diet. Introducing more diverse wildflower meadows and green spaces could benefit wild pollinators.

Ellen Baker, PhD Candidate, Nutritional Ecology, University of Oxford • conversation
March 1, 2024 ~6 min

Pollution messes up how pollinators sniff out flowers

Pollution degrades the chemicals wildflowers give off that help nighttime pollinators find them, researchers report.

James Urton-U. Washington • futurity
Feb. 19, 2024 ~8 min

'Inert' ingredients in pesticides may be more toxic to bees than scientists thought

Inert ingredients are added for purposes other than killing pests and are not required under federal law to be tested for safety or identified on pesticide labels.

Jennie L. Durant, Research Affiliate in Human Ecology, University of California, Davis • conversation
Dec. 5, 2023 ~10 min

Honeybees cluster together when it’s cold – but we’ve been completely wrong about why

New research shows honeybee hive clusters are a sign of desperation, not insulation.

Derek Mitchell, PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds • conversation
Nov. 24, 2023 ~6 min

How air pollution is making life tougher for bugs

We’re making life tough for insects – and not just by swatting them away with a newspaper.

Robbie Girling, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Southern Queensland • conversation
Sept. 21, 2023 ~6 min

Asian hornets make UK their latest target – here’s why they’re such a threat to European bees

Invasive Asian hornets are a top predator of bees in the UK – and sightings are starting to soar.

Philip Donkersley, Senior Research Associate in Entomology, Lancaster University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2023 ~8 min


Ivy, dandelions and other common wildflowers are often seen as weeds – but they're a crucial resource for pollinating insects

Native common wildflowers provide large amounts of pollen and nectar for insects – but many are undervalued by the public.

Nick Balfour, Research Technician in the School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex • conversation
Aug. 7, 2023 ~7 min

Why there are fewer insects on UK farms than there were a century ago -- and how to restore them

Farms have become less friendly for our insect friends – this must be reversed if we want food to eat.

Tom Breeze, Senior Research Fellow, University of Reading • conversation
July 5, 2023 ~8 min

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