As you plan your spring garden, consider adding pollinator-friendly trees and plants to provide food and habitat for bee populations that are in decline across the country and worldwide.
What’s Bugging Our Bees?
The purpose of this newsletter is to further the understanding of these bee-related problems and issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. UC Davis bee biology expert Elina Niño introduces the subject of bee health and the significant effect of parasitic mites and pathogens in bee decline.
Catch the Buzz—Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use
Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).
It Takes a Colony
Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).
Agriculture Department, Penn State Release Recommendations to Maintain Healthy, Diverse Pollinator Populations
Standing in front of one of the more popular exhibits at the Pennsylvania Farm Show—an educational display on the importance of bees to society—state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today helped unveil a new report intended to support healthy pollinator populations in the face of challenges that have decimated some species.
Top 8 Take-home Messages of the Urban Pollinator Conference
Michigan State University Extension and North Carolina State University hosted the second national Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference in Traverse City, Michigan, Oct. 9-11, 2017. Approximately 142 participants with varying professional backgrounds attended the event, including researchers, educators, students, beekeepers, landscapers and arborists.
Uptake and Dissipation of Neonicotinoid Residues in Nectar and Foliage of Systemically Treated Woody Landscape Plants
This article measured uptake and dissipation of soil-applied imidacloprid and dinotefuran in nectar and leaves of 2 woody plant species, a broadleaf evergreen tree and a deciduous shrub, to assess concentrations to which pollinators and pests might be exposed in landscape settings.
Preliminary Observations of Pollinators at Palomar College During the Summer of 2017
Instructors and Collaborators: Beth Pearson, Lea Corkidi, Leah Taylor, Tony Rangel, James A. Bethke.
Institutions: Palomar College. 1140 West Mission Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069.
University of California Cooperative Extension. 9335 Hazard Way, Suite 201. San Diego CA 92123.
Bumble Bees Regulate Their Intake of Essential Protein and Lipid Pollen Macronutrients
Overview Reduction of nutritional resources may be one reason for bee decline. It is well-known that solitary and social insects forage very differently to meet species-specific nutritional intake. The researchers studied the survival rate of two bumble bee species Bombus impatiens and Bombus terrestris and compared the specific Protein: Lipid ratios on synthetic diets.
Protecting and Enhancing Pollinators In Urban Landscapes
Overview Without natural enemies, invasive pests population surge dramatically, this is also a primary reason tree care professionals and property owners use pesticides, to manage invasive pests from Europe and Asia. This publication is designed to provide best management practices for protecting a few valuable plants from invasive pests while minimizing the impact on pollinators […]