October 3, 2013

bees and pollution: new research published in Scientific Reports

The decline of the UK’s bee population is rarely out of the headlines, with discussion often focusing on the role and impact of pesticides such as neonicotinoids. But are there other factors in the environment that might also affect bee behaviour and health? What might they be and how do they act?

Researchers from the University of Southampton have now investigated the impact of common air pollutants in diesel exhaust fumes on the foraging efficiency of honeybees, and in particular on how they locate, identify and recognise flowers. They came to the SMC to talk about their findings and the wider implications of their research, published in Scientific Reports.

Speakers: 

Prof Guy Poppy, Director of Multidisciplinary Research and Professor of Ecology, University of Southampton

Dr Tracey Newman, Lecturer in Clinical Neurosciences, University of Southampton