Article
Genetics & Heredity
Yakai Tian, Jiyao Liu, Feng He, Jiaxing Huang, Jie Wu, Shaoyu He
Summary: The study found that IRP30 regulates worker egg-laying by affecting the expression of Vg, the size of the ovary and the formation of the oocyte. These findings provide essential information for understanding the mechanisms underlying worker reproductive regulation.
Article
Biology
Marcel Ethan Sayre, Rachel Templin, Johanna Chavez, Julian Kempenaers, Stanley Heinze
Summary: While bees and fruit flies share similarities in their central complex, there are also key functional differences that may impact their navigational abilities.
Article
Zoology
Thomas Marceau, C. Ruth Archer, Laura Bulson, Lena Wilfert
Summary: Diseases could be a factor in bee population decline, and bee gut bacteria may act as a defense mechanism. However, there is still limited understanding of the effects of field-realistic antibiotic doses on bees.
JOURNAL OF INVERTEBRATE PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Haoran Qin, Kun Dong, Jiaxing Huang, Shaoyu He, Jie Wu
Summary: The study evaluated the stability of reference genes in bumblebees at different developmental stages, identifying RPL13 and RP49 as the most suitable combination. These reference genes are expected to enhance the accuracy of gene expression detection in bumblebees at various developmental stages.
Article
Biology
Cheng Sun, Aibing Zhang, Jinfeng Chen, Sarah Schaack
Summary: Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that play a major role in genome evolution and have phenotypic impacts. Recent studies suggest that TEs are the main contributor to genome size variation and are involved in the formation of new coding and regulatory sequences in bumblebees. Future research using advanced technologies will help uncover the functions and contributions of TEs in bumblebee biology.
CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sebastiaan Verbeke, Margaux Boeraeve, Sebastien Carpentier, Hans Jacquemyn, Maria I. Pozo
Summary: The decline of pollinators may have negative effects on ecosystems and ecosystem services. This study investigates the impact of pollen diversity and composition on reproductive success and fitness of Bombus terrestris colonies. The results suggest that plant diversity may not be a good predictor of colony fitness, and that vegetation composition and differences in pollen quantity and quality are more important.
Article
Ecology
Craig D. Perl, Zanna B. Johansen, Zahra Moradinour, Marie Guiraud, C. E. Restrepo, Vun Wen Jie, A. Miettinen, Emily Baird
Summary: Heatwaves have detrimental impacts on animal morphology and behavior, especially during development. This study tested the effects of exposure to elevated temperatures during the late development stage on the behavior and morphology of adult worker bumblebees. The results showed that exposure to high temperatures during a portion of late development impaired the initial behavioral responses of workers to sensory stimuli, but did not significantly impact body or organ size.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Cristina Botias, Julia C. Jones, Tobias Pamminger, Ignasi Bartomeus, William O. H. Hughes, Dave Goulson
Summary: Bumblebees exposed to combinations of stressors, including pesticides and pathogens, exhibit detrimental effects on individual and colony health, leading to reduced food collection, colony growth, and brood production. Understanding the interactions between different stressors is crucial for managing bee populations and maintaining pollination services in the future.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Francisco E. Fonturbel, Isidora B. Sepulveda, Giselle Muschett, Gaston O. Carvallo, Lorena Vieli, Maureen M. Murua
Summary: Invasive species are a significant driver of worldwide biodiversity loss. This study examines the associations between bumblebees and native and exotic plant species in Chile, particularly focusing on flower color preferences. The findings suggest that exotic bumblebee species primarily visit flowers of exotic plants and show preferences for purple and pink flowers, while native bumblebees visit both native and exotic plant species in similar proportions and have preferences for white, pink, and purple flowers.
Article
Entomology
Cecilia Kardum Hjort, Henrik G. Smith, Andrew P. Allen, Rachael Y. Dudaniec
Summary: Introduced social insects can have negative impacts on native pollinators and ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the morphological variation of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris in Tasmania, Australia and its relationship with environmental conditions. We found weak morphological divergence, with body size associated with urban land cover and proboscis length negatively related to pasture. The adaptability of B. terrestris enables its successful invasion across Tasmania.
JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Alex F. Hart, Kevin Maebe, Gordon Brown, Guy Smagghe, Thomas Ings
Summary: The study investigated whether the increase in bivoltinism in UK resident B. terrestris audax populations was related to introgression with imported foreign subspecies, and found no introgression with commercial subspecies detected in wild populations.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Luke Hill, Maxence Gerard, Frida Hildebrandt, Emily Baird
Summary: Eusocial insect colonies can improve their ability to buffer anthropogenic stressors, but this effect can be influenced by factors that reduce colony size. The impact of a sudden change in group size on individual behavior within the colony is still unclear. This study showed that the associative learning capabilities of bumblebee workers were not affected by drastic reductions in colony size, indicating their resilience to this kind of change.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yueqin Guo, Fugang Liu, Yulong Guo, Yingping Qu, Zhengyi Zhang, Jun Yao, Jin Xu, Jilian Li
Summary: This study compares the changes in structure and metabolites in the fat body of mated and virgin bumblebee queens. The results show that the fat body weight of mated queens increases and the adipocytes are filled with lipid droplets. Using mass spectrometry analysis, differential metabolites in the fat body of mated and virgin bumblebee queens are identified. The size and fusion of lipid droplets in the fat body of mated queens are increased, potentially storing more energy and nutrients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biology
David H. Collins, David C. Prince, Jenny L. Donelan, Tracey Chapman, Andrew F. G. Bourke
Summary: In this study, it was found that reproductive costs are present but latent in bumblebee queens, and that there is a condition-dependent positive fecundity-longevity association. Additionally, the study suggests that a partial remodelling of genetic and endocrine networks underpinning ageing may have occurred in intermediately eusocial species.
Article
Entomology
Onur Tosun, Cagri Bekircan
Summary: The study in Turkey identified a new pathogen, Vairimorpha ceranae Tr-07, causing natural microsporidiosis in commercial Bombus terrestris populations, with spore morphology and gene sequences closely matching those of Vairimorpha ceranae.
JOURNAL OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Alexis L. Beaurepaire, James D. Ellis, Klemens J. Krieger, Robin F. A. Moritz
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eckart Stolle, Rodrigo Pracana, Philip Howard, Carolina I. Paris, Susan J. Brown, Claudia Castillo-Carrillo, Stephen J. Rossiter, Yannick Wurm
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denise Aumer, Eckart Stolle, Michael Allsopp, Fiona Mumoki, Christian W. W. Pirk, Robin F. A. Moritz
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thomas J. Colgan, Isabel K. Fletcher, Andres N. Arce, Richard J. Gill, Ana Ramos Rodrigues, Eckart Stolle, Lars Chittka, Yannick Wurm
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin H. Conlon, Adriana Aurori, Alexandru-Ioan Giurgiu, John Kefuss, Daniel S. Dezmirean, Robin F. A. Moritz, Jarkko Routtu
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lewis J. Bartlett, Carly Rozins, Berry J. Brosi, Keith S. Delaplane, Jacobus C. de Roode, Andrew White, Lena Wilfert, Michael Boots
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qingyun Diao, Dahe Yang, Hongxia Zhao, Shuai Deng, Xinling Wang, Chunsheng Hou, Lena Wilfert
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Article
Entomology
Mogbel A. A. El-Niweiri, Robin F. A. Moritz, H. Michael G. Lattorff
Article
Biology
Emily J. Bailes, Judit Bagi, Jake Coltman, Michelle T. Fountain, Lena Wilfert, Mark J. F. Brown
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin H. Conlon, Chedly Kastally, Marina Kardell, John Kefuss, Robin F. A. Moritz, Jarkko Routtu
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Laura Bulson, Matthias A. Becher, Trevelyan J. McKinley, Lena Wilfert
Summary: The study on the impact of antibiotic treatment on honey bee colonies showed that an increase in individual worker bee mortality can lead to colony mortality, affecting colony health. It is recommended to limit prophylactic use of antibiotics and not exceed recommended treatment strategies for domesticated insects.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Lena Wilfert
Summary: This paper examines the adaptation of a honeybee virus to vector-based transmission via the mite Varroa destructor. The study shows that high versus low levels of the viral vector can impact viral load and competition between different strains of the virus. The research highlights the importance of understanding the evolutionary ecology of viruses in response to vector-borne transmission.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Robyn Manley, Vincent Doublet, Owen N. N. Wright, Toby Doyle, Isobel Refoy, Sophie Hedges, David Pascall, Claire Carvell, Mark J. F. Brown, Lena Wilfert
Summary: Insects are facing pressure due to agricultural intensification. Planting wildflowers along fields to protect pollinators can potentially impact disease ecology through transmission or infection dilution. Our study examined plant-pollinator interactions and virus infections in agricultural landscapes over a year to understand these dynamics.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chunsheng Hou, Hao Liang, Chenxiao Chen, Hongxia Zhao, Pengfei Zhao, Shuai Deng, Beibei Li, Dahe Yang, Sa Yang, Lena Wilfert
Summary: Domesticated honeybees and wild bees are essential for human and environmental health, but infectious diseases, such as Varroa destructor mite as a viral vector, pose a significant threat to these pollinators. Lake Sinai Viruses (LSV) have been found in honeybee colonies, but the global epidemiology and transmission patterns of LSV remain unclear. This study investigates the diversity and association of LSV with different honeybee species and suggests a potential role of migratory beekeeping in pathogen spread.
Article
Biology
Florian Straub, Markus Birkenbach, Sara D. Leonhardt, Fabian A. Ruedenauer, Jonas Kuppler, Lena Wilfert, Manfred Ayasse
Summary: Bees in agricultural landscapes are faced with various stressors, including insecticides and poor-quality food. This study found that a combination of insecticides and nutritional stress can negatively impact the health of bumblebees at both individual and colony levels, potentially affecting colony performance and the stability of plant-pollinator networks.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)