Project results - Physiological response to air pollution

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

Project results - Particulate presence in apiaries

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

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.

The effect of integrated pest management

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Air pollutants reduce pollination services

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

World Bee Day 2023

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

Effect of polyethylene microplastic ingestion on honeybee health and cognition

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

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.

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.

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.

Pollutants and their interaction with diseases

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

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.

Sunflower reduces Varroa mite infestation of honeybee colonies

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

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Winter Solstice

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Gut microbiota and honeybee behaviour

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

Using sensors to detect Varroa destructor

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

Beekeeper motivations and management practices

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

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.

Pesticide residues in honeybee-collected pollen and nectar

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

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.

Hive Geometrix exhibition

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

Using DNA metabarcoding to investigate pollinator foraging

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

Send your stories

We would love to post your stories about beekeeping here.

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

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