#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 171
# 170 contd.

A bit like high fibre foods for humans it turns out that it is the spiny outer shell of #sunflower pollen, not the contents, that combats a common pathogen (Crithidia bombi) that lives in #bumblebee guts.
#bees
#nature
#insects
#biodiversity
#environment
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 170

Sunflower/sunflower family plant pollen has a spiny outer shell.
Consumption of this ‘spiny’ pollen by #bees reduces infection of a common parasite by up to 94% & greatly increases the number of queen #bumblebees produced.
#nature
#biodiversity
#insects
#science
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 169

Recent research in the US confirms that foraging on #sunflowers/plants in the sunflower family - Asteraceae - which include #dandelions is really really good for #bumblebees.
Why and with what results?
To be continued!
#bees #insects
#nature #science
#biodiversity
#environment
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 168

Research indicates that, for European buff-tailed #bumblebees at least, about 80% of early season pollen tends to be collected from #trees and woody plants.
Trees are vital for #bees and this is often overlooked.
#nature
#biodiversity

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 165

Although flowering meadowland/open habitat is the predominant landscape associated with #bumblebees and #bees the vital role that #forests, woodland and #trees may play in the bee life cycle should not be underestimated.
#nature
#biodiversity
#insects
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 164

Research suggests urban #bumblebees are more phenotypically diverse as there is a greater RANGE of flowers available in urban areas and #bees developing more diversity of traits gives the colony more options when foraging.
#nature
#biodiversity
#environment
#science
#insects
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 163

Research suggesting urban #bumblebees are smaller than their country cousins proposes that this difference in size is down to availability of resources and ‘urban warming’.
Less food and warmer environment = smaller #bees.

#nature
#biodiversity
#wildlife
#worldbeesanctuary
#science

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 162

A study in Switzerland focusing on two species of #bumblebee commonly found throughout Europe suggests that ‘City Bumblebees’ are smaller but more phenotypically diverse than their ‘Country Bumblebee’ cousins.
#bees
#nature
#biodiversity
#worldbeesanctuary
#science
#wildlife #vegan #health

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 161
# 160 contd.

Research found that in hotter and wetter years #bees had higher wing asymmetry meaning higher stress.
So #climate change bringing more hotter/wetter years will mean ever more stress on #bumblebees going forward.
#nature
#science
#biodiversity
#insects
#worldbeesanctuary

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 160
# 159 contd.

Using bee specimens dating back to 1900 and concentrating on 4 species of #bumblebee research in the UK showed that based on wing asymmetry #bees experienced more and more stress as the 20th century progressed.

#nature
#wildlife
#biodiversity
#worldbeesanctuary
#pollinators #insects #science

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 159

Bees develop asymmetrical wings when they experience stress during their development.
Very differently shaped left and right wings is an indicator of stress from an external factor which affects normal growth.
#bees

#nature
#worldbeesanctuary
#biodiversity
#pollinators
#wildlife
#bumblebees
#vegan #organic
#science

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 158
# 157 contd.

As the planet warms the range of temperatures in which #bumblebees can operate could shrink significantly.
#Bees carrying less pollen or foraging for shorter will have implications for colony health/pollination.
#nature
#climate
#biodiversity
#worldbeesanctuary
#pollinators
#wildlife
#vegan #organic

#theBeeAt3

Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.

# 157
# 156 contd.

Research showed that the body temperature of #bumblebees rose 0.07°C for each milligram of pollen that they were carrying.
Fully laden bees were 2°C warmer than unladen #bees.
This matters on a warming #planet.
#nature
#biodiversity
#food
#foodsecurity
#pollination
#insects
#wildlife
#worldbeesanctuary
#climatechange