#Wildflowers could be absorbing toxic metals that pass on to #bees, study finds
Scientists call for urban areas to be tested for contaminants and potentially cleaned before wildflowers are planted
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/16/wildflowers-absorb-toxic-metals-bees #science #ecology #environment #pollinators #pollution
Found a "types of bees" poster at Goodwill yesterday. I'm guessing the artist wasn't really into the task because the honey bee makes three appearances. Some appear to missing their second pair of wings. And venation of the red-tailed bumblebee is a complete mess. I decided not to buy. #bees #honeybees #goodwill #illustration #insects #art #thriftstore
Queen–worker differences are linked to gene duplication and differential gene expression, in particular in reproductive tissues. Study by Xu & Colgan sheds light on how social insects resolve genomic conflict to produce distinct castes.
So sieht das aktuell aus, wenn sie sie nicht wegkicken. Es stehen einfach Männchen Schlange. Arme Bienchen.
@theguardian_science The paper, inexplicably not linked to from The Guardian article:
“Trace Metals in Nectar of Important Urban Pollinator Forage Plants: A Direct Exposure Risk to Pollinators and Nectar-Feeding Animals in Cities”
Sarah B. Scott and Mary M. Gardiner, 2025
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.71238
And the press release from Cambridge University:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/growing-wildflowers-on-disused-urban-land-can-damage-bee-health-0
Wildflowers could be absorbing toxic metals that pass on to bees, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/16/wildflowers-absorb-toxic-metals-bees #Wildflowers #Environment #Pollution #Wildlife #Insects #Science #Cities #Bees
Don't give up on wild urban bees
Some of the smallest & largest visiting
Xylocopa, large Carpenter bee & maybe Ceratina, small Carpenter bee
As the number of #bees across this #planet continues to decrease year after year after year the number of billionaires continues to increase year after year after year.
This is not unrelated.
This is not sustainable.
We need #bees.
We don’t need #billionaires.
It’s time to choose.
#TheBillionaireProblem
#BeesNotBillionaires
#billionairetaxbailout
Late.
But not too late!
You know what it is too late for?
The 400 + year old oak felled in London recently.
400 + years of living, giving and vitality.
Fucked in a moment.
On a whim.
This matters.
It hurts us all.
#Whitewebbsoak
#ecocide
#trees
Basic bee facts every day at 3pm.
# 94
Bumblebee nests are notoriously difficult to find in the #wild.
This can hinder population surveys of #bumblebee species as nest density is used as an indicator of populations.
#bees
Did some modest clean-up in the #RockGardens in front of the house yesterday- clearing away some winter debris along with last year's stems etc in preparation for Crocus, Snowdrops and Tulips that are poking their noses out...
Just now housemate looking out the window says "Those small small hole digging #bees are all over your rock garden." #Garden success! #Spring :)
Bees getting busy. There was a fight between two males but I didn’t get my phone out in time so I only caught the winner and his queen. Sound on to hear his leg scratching. I’m fairly sure they’re mining bees, potentially Andrena ovatula? Location: South Yorkshire UK
If you're in the #UK look out for the 'Asian' or yellow-legged #hornet. Our native #bees have not learnt how to deal with it yet and it's on its way over from Europe where it's made havoc. You can report sightings and they will remove nests. Take a photo if at all possible. This dry and sunny spring is the ideal conditions for them unfortunately.
@sinabhfuil @georgepenney
Cuppa, honey.
Honey bee-
bees on bike/
it all fits, see?
Les colons empoisonnent maintenant les ruches des agriculteurs palestiniens
> Comme cet agriculteur palestinien dans le village de Farsh Al-Hawa, dans la ville d'Hébron en Cisjordanie, qui a retrouvé ses ruches dans cet état : Celles et ceux qui sont sensibles à l'environnement, noterons par ailleurs l'ampleur du désastre que représente l'accumulation des déchets à Gaza où le blocage israélien empêche le nettoyage . « Gaza, indique l'OMS, [...]
