Project results - Physiological response to air pollution

Project results - Physiological response to air pollution

Results of our BES funded pilot project investigating the impact of air quality on honeybee eye structure.

Read more
Project results - Particulate presence in apiaries

Project results - Particulate presence in apiaries

Results from our BBKA funded study exploring particulate matter in apiaries.

Read more
Honeybee exposure to imidacloprid in early spring

Honeybee exposure to imidacloprid in early spring

Researchers detect imidacloprid on bees and in hive products. Although imidacloprid had no impact on colony strength, honey reserves were reduced.

Read more
The effect of integrated pest management

The effect of integrated pest management

Researchers in Indiana find integrated pest management to have better outcomes for pollinators than conventional pest management.

Read more
Effects of late miticide treatments on honeybees

Effects of late miticide treatments on honeybees

Autumn thymol and tau-fluvalinate treatments were found to have minor effects on bees and bee colony performance.

Read more
What is particulate matter and what effect does it have on honeybees?

What is particulate matter and what effect does it have on honeybees?

Read more
Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions

Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions

Simulations show that microplastic particles produced by road traffic are transported to remote regions.

Read more
CAWR open day 2023

CAWR open day 2023

The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience is hosting an open day on Wednesday 28th June 2023, between 10am and 4pm.

Read more
Air pollutants reduce pollination services

Air pollutants reduce pollination services

UK field experiments find that diesel exhaust and ozone significantly reduce the abundance of insect pollinators and flower visitation.

Read more
World Bee Day 2023

World Bee Day 2023

This year’s theme is “Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly agricultural production”.

Read more
Effect of polyethylene microplastic ingestion on honeybee health and cognition

Effect of polyethylene microplastic ingestion on honeybee health and cognition

Oral exposure to polyethylene found to increase honeybee feeding and mortality.

Read more
Honeybees as sensors of airborne particulate matter

Honeybees as sensors of airborne particulate matter

Honeybees in a peri-urban area of Italy were found to be contaminated by particulate matter from the soil, traffic and incineration.

Read more
The effect of chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments

The effect of chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments

Researchers find that chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments reduces honeybee feeding rate and body weight.

Read more
Acute toxicity of microplastic fibres and effects on honeybee foraging

Acute toxicity of microplastic fibres and effects on honeybee foraging

Researchers found no mortality in the short term, but there may be lethal long-term effects because the bees did not avoid the microplastics.

Read more
Pollutants and their interaction with diseases

Pollutants and their interaction with diseases

Pollutants can increase the disease susceptibility of social insects, by impacting their physiology.

Read more
Glyphosate used as desiccant contaminates plant pollen and nectar of non-target plant species

Glyphosate used as desiccant contaminates plant pollen and nectar of non-target plant species

Researchers detect glyphosate in blackberry nectar and pollen in hedgerows surrounding oil-seed rape crops when glyphosate is used as crop desiccant.

Read more
Sunflower reduces Varroa mite infestation of honeybee colonies

Sunflower reduces Varroa mite infestation of honeybee colonies

Researchers in the USA find that increased sunflower pollen availability correlated with reduced Varroa mite infestation.

Read more
Microplastics in honeybee hives

Microplastics in honeybee hives

New research shows that honeybees can incorporate microplastics from the environment and deliver them into the different matrices of the hive.

Read more
Exposure to urban air pollution impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees

Exposure to urban air pollution impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees

Researchers find that exposure to diesel air pollution affects short- and long-term odour memory in honeybees.

Read more
Honeybees as active samplers for microplastics

Honeybees as active samplers for microplastics

Researchers in Denmark found microplastics on honeybees collected from apiaries in the centre of Copenhagen and nearby semi-urban and rural areas. 

Read more
Citizen science monitoring reveals links between honeybee health, pesticide exposure and foraging

Citizen science monitoring reveals links between honeybee health, pesticide exposure and foraging

Researchers have used honey samples from the National Honey Monitoring Scheme to quantify how agricultural intensification affects honeybees.

Read more
Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

Honeybee colonies are currently at their smallest, but with the increasing day length from tomorrow, changes within the colony will begin.

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Sublethal effects of air pollution on Giant Asian honeybees

Sublethal effects of air pollution on Giant Asian honeybees

Researchers in India find heavy metals on Giant Asian honey bees correlated to changes in bee health and behaviour.

Read more
Initial findings one year into the project

Initial findings one year into the project

Initial results indicate that honeybees carry microplastics and particles of nylon, as well as fragments of car tyre.

Read more
Polystyrene plastics disturb honeybee gut microbiota and immune system

Polystyrene plastics disturb honeybee gut microbiota and immune system

Micro- and nano-plastics have become emerging pollutants. Researchers assessed the effects of plastic particles on honeybees health.

Read more
The Thriving Hive participants - our urban rooftop beekeeper

The Thriving Hive participants - our urban rooftop beekeeper

One of our most urban study sites was Tim Vivian’s apiary on the roof of the Custard Factory near Birmingham city centre. 

Read more
Gut microbiota and honeybee behaviour

Gut microbiota and honeybee behaviour

Researchers explore the link between gut microbes and honeybee behaviour and colony organisation.

Read more
Using sensors to detect Varroa destructor

Using sensors to detect Varroa destructor

Researchers are working to determine whether Varroa in honeybee colonies can be detected remotely.

Read more
Beekeeper motivations and management practices

Beekeeper motivations and management practices

New research from the University of Exeter explores the motivations underpinning beekeeping management practices.

Read more
Sample analysis - the honeybees

Sample analysis - the honeybees

We are currently in the process of analysing the collected honeybees for particulate matter. Find out more about our novel method.

Read more
Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen and nectar

Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen and nectar

Researchers in Finland tested honeybee-collected nectar and pollen for over 100 pesticides.

Read more
Project apiaries and sampling

Project apiaries and sampling

We are grateful to the 45 beekeepers who volunteered to take part in Thriving Hive. Find out more about the study apiaries and samples collected.

Read more
Hive Geometrix exhibition

Hive Geometrix exhibition

New exhibition ‘Hive Geometrix’ at Upfront Arts Venue in Cumbria captures the magical inner-workings of a honeybee hive.

Read more
Using DNA metabarcoding to investigate pollinator foraging

Using DNA metabarcoding to investigate pollinator foraging

New research reveals the plants most frequently visited by honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies.

Read more
Send your stories

Send your stories

We would love to post your stories about beekeeping here.

Read more
Air pollution effects Apis dorsata (rock bee) in India

Air pollution effects Apis dorsata (rock bee) in India

Bangalore is one of the most polluted cities in India and now researchers are looking at whether air pollution could be affecting honey bee population

Read more
Welcome to our blog

Welcome to our blog

A warm welcome to the launch of Thriving Hive! We are delighted to begin this exciting initiative linking beekeepers and scientists to support healthy

Read more
Project results - Physiological response to air pollution

Project results - Physiological response to air pollution

Results of our BES funded pilot project investigating the impact of air quality on honeybee eye structure.

Read more
Project results - Particulate presence in apiaries

Project results - Particulate presence in apiaries

Results from our BBKA funded study exploring particulate matter in apiaries.

Read more
What is particulate matter and what effect does it have on honeybees?

What is particulate matter and what effect does it have on honeybees?

Read more
CAWR open day 2023

CAWR open day 2023

The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience is hosting an open day on Wednesday 28th June 2023, between 10am and 4pm.

Read more
World Bee Day 2023

World Bee Day 2023

This year’s theme is “Bee engaged in pollinator-friendly agricultural production”.

Read more
Initial findings one year into the project

Initial findings one year into the project

Initial results indicate that honeybees carry microplastics and particles of nylon, as well as fragments of car tyre.

Read more
Sample analysis - the honeybees

Sample analysis - the honeybees

We are currently in the process of analysing the collected honeybees for particulate matter. Find out more about our novel method.

Read more
Project apiaries and sampling

Project apiaries and sampling

We are grateful to the 45 beekeepers who volunteered to take part in Thriving Hive. Find out more about the study apiaries and samples collected.

Read more
Welcome to our blog

Welcome to our blog

A warm welcome to the launch of Thriving Hive! We are delighted to begin this exciting initiative linking beekeepers and scientists to support healthy

Read more
Honeybee exposure to imidacloprid in early spring

Honeybee exposure to imidacloprid in early spring

Researchers detect imidacloprid on bees and in hive products. Although imidacloprid had no impact on colony strength, honey reserves were reduced.

Read more
The effect of integrated pest management

The effect of integrated pest management

Researchers in Indiana find integrated pest management to have better outcomes for pollinators than conventional pest management.

Read more
Effects of late miticide treatments on honeybees

Effects of late miticide treatments on honeybees

Autumn thymol and tau-fluvalinate treatments were found to have minor effects on bees and bee colony performance.

Read more
Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions

Atmospheric transport is a major pathway of microplastics to remote regions

Simulations show that microplastic particles produced by road traffic are transported to remote regions.

Read more
Air pollutants reduce pollination services

Air pollutants reduce pollination services

UK field experiments find that diesel exhaust and ozone significantly reduce the abundance of insect pollinators and flower visitation.

Read more
Effect of polyethylene microplastic ingestion on honeybee health and cognition

Effect of polyethylene microplastic ingestion on honeybee health and cognition

Oral exposure to polyethylene found to increase honeybee feeding and mortality.

Read more
Honeybees as sensors of airborne particulate matter

Honeybees as sensors of airborne particulate matter

Honeybees in a peri-urban area of Italy were found to be contaminated by particulate matter from the soil, traffic and incineration.

Read more
The effect of chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments

The effect of chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments

Researchers find that chronic exposure to polystyrene microplastic fragments reduces honeybee feeding rate and body weight.

Read more
Acute toxicity of microplastic fibres and effects on honeybee foraging

Acute toxicity of microplastic fibres and effects on honeybee foraging

Researchers found no mortality in the short term, but there may be lethal long-term effects because the bees did not avoid the microplastics.

Read more
Pollutants and their interaction with diseases

Pollutants and their interaction with diseases

Pollutants can increase the disease susceptibility of social insects, by impacting their physiology.

Read more
Glyphosate used as desiccant contaminates plant pollen and nectar of non-target plant species

Glyphosate used as desiccant contaminates plant pollen and nectar of non-target plant species

Researchers detect glyphosate in blackberry nectar and pollen in hedgerows surrounding oil-seed rape crops when glyphosate is used as crop desiccant.

Read more
Sunflower reduces Varroa mite infestation of honeybee colonies

Sunflower reduces Varroa mite infestation of honeybee colonies

Researchers in the USA find that increased sunflower pollen availability correlated with reduced Varroa mite infestation.

Read more
Microplastics in honeybee hives

Microplastics in honeybee hives

New research shows that honeybees can incorporate microplastics from the environment and deliver them into the different matrices of the hive.

Read more
Exposure to urban air pollution impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees

Exposure to urban air pollution impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees

Researchers find that exposure to diesel air pollution affects short- and long-term odour memory in honeybees.

Read more
Honeybees as active samplers for microplastics

Honeybees as active samplers for microplastics

Researchers in Denmark found microplastics on honeybees collected from apiaries in the centre of Copenhagen and nearby semi-urban and rural areas. 

Read more
Citizen science monitoring reveals links between honeybee health, pesticide exposure and foraging

Citizen science monitoring reveals links between honeybee health, pesticide exposure and foraging

Researchers have used honey samples from the National Honey Monitoring Scheme to quantify how agricultural intensification affects honeybees.

Read more
Sublethal effects of air pollution on Giant Asian honeybees

Sublethal effects of air pollution on Giant Asian honeybees

Researchers in India find heavy metals on Giant Asian honey bees correlated to changes in bee health and behaviour.

Read more
Polystyrene plastics disturb honeybee gut microbiota and immune system

Polystyrene plastics disturb honeybee gut microbiota and immune system

Micro- and nano-plastics have become emerging pollutants. Researchers assessed the effects of plastic particles on honeybees health.

Read more
Gut microbiota and honeybee behaviour

Gut microbiota and honeybee behaviour

Researchers explore the link between gut microbes and honeybee behaviour and colony organisation.

Read more
Using sensors to detect Varroa destructor

Using sensors to detect Varroa destructor

Researchers are working to determine whether Varroa in honeybee colonies can be detected remotely.

Read more
Beekeeper motivations and management practices

Beekeeper motivations and management practices

New research from the University of Exeter explores the motivations underpinning beekeeping management practices.

Read more
Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen and nectar

Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen and nectar

Researchers in Finland tested honeybee-collected nectar and pollen for over 100 pesticides.

Read more
Hive Geometrix exhibition

Hive Geometrix exhibition

New exhibition ‘Hive Geometrix’ at Upfront Arts Venue in Cumbria captures the magical inner-workings of a honeybee hive.

Read more
Using DNA metabarcoding to investigate pollinator foraging

Using DNA metabarcoding to investigate pollinator foraging

New research reveals the plants most frequently visited by honeybees, bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies.

Read more
Air pollution effects Apis dorsata (rock bee) in India

Air pollution effects Apis dorsata (rock bee) in India

Bangalore is one of the most polluted cities in India and now researchers are looking at whether air pollution could be affecting honey bee population

Read more
The Thriving Hive participants - our urban rooftop beekeeper

The Thriving Hive participants - our urban rooftop beekeeper

One of our most urban study sites was Tim Vivian’s apiary on the roof of the Custard Factory near Birmingham city centre. 

Read more
Send your stories

Send your stories

We would love to post your stories about beekeeping here.

Read more