The Buzz

In this section you will the very latest links to topical Bee matters that our Membership secretary gets sent and which he harvests via Google Alerts

Nearly half of US honeybee colonies died last year. Struggling beekeepers stabilize population

22-Jun-23 – AP

https://apnews.com/article/honeybees-pollinator-extinct-disease-death-climate-change-f60297706e19c7346ff1881587b5aced

Rare bee-eaters return to the UK, highlighting the effects of climate change

16-Jun-23 – Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rare-bee-eaters-return-uk-climate-change-rspb-b1088288.html

Bees and hoverflies are key to growing more fruit and veg in cities – new research

15-Jun-23 – The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/bees-and-hoverflies-are-key-to-growing-more-fruit-and-veg-in-cities-new-research-207665

Warning to gardeners as increase in hedgehog deaths blamed on strimmers after 'No Mow May'

11-Jun-23 – ITVx

https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2023-06-11/spike-in-hedgehog-deaths-blamed-on-strimmers-after-no-mow-may

Farming practices failing to stop invertebrate decline, says study

07-Jun-23 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/invertebrates-insects-bees-farming-spiders-b2353088.html

Beekeeper wears 'bee helmet' to promote honey

06-Jun-23 – Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/video/watch/beekeeper-wears-bee-helmet-to-promote-ho-id767640060

European farmers challenge current nature restoration proposal

05-Jun-23 – EuroNews

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/06/01/european-farmers-challenge-current-nature-restoration-proposal

Fake Chinese honey imports spur Spanish producers to demand EU action

03-Jun-23 = The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/03/fake-chinese-honey-imports-spain-eu/

Honeybee health blooms at federal facilities across the country

03-Jun-23 – AP

https://apnews.com/article/honeybee-health-federal-initiative-buildings-0958b05bdb7b7d8ba573056be95f5111

U.S. promotes honeybees with hives at buildings

03-Jun-23 – USA Today

https://eu.usatoday.com/videos/news/nation/2023/06/03/us-promotes-honeybees-hives-buildings/12024359002/

American Foulbrood found in Perthshire beehive

24-May-23 – Scottish Government

https://www.gov.scot/news/american-foulbrood-found-in-perthshire-beehive/

Commercial beehives increasingly popular in Europe: Here's which EU country has the most

23-May-23 – EuroNews

https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/05/23/commercial-beehives-increasingly-popular-in-europe-heres-which-eu-country-has-the-most

Research shows moths are more efficient pollinators than bees

20-May-23 – Bird Guides

https://www.birdguides.com/articles/research-shows-moths-are-more-efficient-pollinators-than-bees/

We've been doing our best to save the honeybees - but now there's a sting in the tail

20-May-23 – Sky News

https://news.sky.com/story/weve-been-doing-our-best-to-save-the-honeybees-but-now-theres-a-sting-in-the-tail-12884668

EU continues exports of bee-killing pesticides while banning them at home

18-May-23 – Carbon Pulse

https://carbon-pulse.com/203791/

Some Syrians are turning to bees for alternative medicine

17-May-23 – Reuters

Chelsea Flower Show hosts immersive beehive installation revealing the secret life of bees

17-May-23 – Good Housekeeping

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/gardening-advice/a43916535/chelsea-flower-show-beehive-installation/

Rare Nomad Bee recorded in Bristol for the first time ever

15-May-23 – ITV News

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2023-05-15/rare-hairless-bee-spotted-in-city-for-the-first-time-ever

How to attract bees to your garden – 7 ways to entice more of these beneficial pollinators

15-May-23 – Homes and Gardens

https://www.homesandgardens.com/gardens/how-to-attract-bees-to-your-garden

Bees and pesticides: updated guidance for assessing risks

11-May-23 – EFSA
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/bees-and-pesticides-updated-guidance-assessing-risks

To mow or not to mow? That is the question every May

02-May-23 – Country Life

https://www.countrylife.co.uk/gardens/if-you-havent-yet-mowed-your-lawn-in-may-now-is-not-the-time-to-start-242942

EPP announces general attack on Green Deal for today

05-May-23 – Pesticide Action Network

https://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2023/05/epp-announces-general-attack-green-deal-today

Gardeners warned to remain vigilant following UK sightings of 'potentially deadly' invasive insects

03-May-23 – Daily Mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-12041321/Gardeners-warned-remain-vigilant-following-UK-sightings-potentially-deadly-invasive-insects.html

Half a million bees vanish as vandals trash London hives leaving beekeeper distraught

28-Apr-23 – ITV

https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-04-27/half-a-million-bees-vanish-as-vandals-trash-hives-leaving-beekeeper-distraught

Warning issued as Asian hornet - which can eat honey bees - is spotted in Folkestone

17-Apr-23 – Kent Online

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/amp/warning-as-invasive-asian-hornet-spotted-in-kent-285418/

Can sunflower HELP HONEY BEES against pests and diseases?

YouTube

UK agri-tech firm secures £4m to scale up eco-friendly insecticides

12-Apr-23 – FarmingUK

https://www.farminguk.com/news/uk-agri-tech-firm-secures-4m-to-scale-up-eco-friendly-insecticides_62406.html

Commission turns down petition for more pesticide cuts, sticks to its plans

05-Apr-23 – EurActiv

https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/commission-turns-down-petition-for-more-pesticide-cuts-sticks-to-its-plans/

Brussels won't change pesticides law to protect bees despite citizen petition

05-Apr-23 – EuroNews
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2023/04/05/brussels-wont-change-pesticides-law-to-protect-bees-despite-citizen-petition

What bacteria and fungi lurk in your city? Bees may have the answer

30-Mar-23 – National Geographic

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/honeybees-reveal-city-microbiome-bacteria-fungi-viruses

All UK honey tested in EU fraud investigation fails authenticity test

26-Mar-23 – The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/mar/26/uk-honey-fails-authenticity-test

Toxic pet flea and tick treatments are polluting UK freshwaters, says paper

20-Mar-23 – Phys.Org

https://phys.org/news/2023-03-toxic-pet-flea-treatments-polluting.html

Couple discover huge beehive hidden inside their home after honey starts dripping down walls

14-Mar-23 – The Manchester Evening News

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/property/couple-discover-huge-beehive-hidden-26468925

Bees learn waggle dance moves with a little help from their coworkers

09-Mar-23 – CNN

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/09/world/bees-waggle-dance-scn/index.html

TikTok videos are full of ‘beekeeping age’ comments and it’s actually a nice compliment

08-Mar-23 – The Tab

https://thetab.com/uk/2023/03/08/tiktok-videos-are-full-of-beekeeping-age-comments-and-its-actually-a-nice-compliment-297963

Bumblebees learn to solve puzzles by watching more experienced peers – study

07-Mar-23 – The Evening Standard

https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/science/experts-queen-mary-university-of-london-b1065504.html

Plants’ genetic defences may hold key for crop protection, researchers say

06-Mar-23 – The Independent

https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/plants-university-of-sheffield-government-b2294940.html

Emergency neonic pesticide use triggered for 2023 sugar beet

04-Mar-23 – Eastern Daily Press

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23359886.emergency-neonic-pesticide-use-triggered-2023-sugar-beet/

Backlash after Brighton & Hove asks volunteers to help clear weeds

03-Mar-23 – HortWeek

https://www.hortweek.com/backlash-brighton-hove-asks-volunteers-help-clear-weeds/parks-and-gardens/article/1815247

Bees Can Be Cannibals When They Must, Just Like Humans

01-Mar-23 – The Guildford Dragon

Neonicotinoids: risks to bees confirmed

28-Feb-23 – European Commission

https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/180228

US bee conservation project shows some success

27-Feb-23 - The environment Journal

PAN Europe challenges Commission secrecy about highly toxic pesticides in EU Court

23-Feb-23 – Pesticide Action Network

https://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2023/02/pan-europe-challenges-commission-secrecy-about-highly-toxic-pesticides-eu

Coimbra university involved in international project to increase bee resistance

20-Feb-23 – Portugal Resident

https://www.portugalresident.com/coimbra-university-involved-in-international-project-to-increase-bee-resistance/

Farmers drive tractors through Paris in protest at pesticide bans

08-Feb-23 – Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/hundreds-tractors-enter-paris-protest-against-pesticide-bans-2023-02-08/

Commission adopts stringent residue limits for pesticides to protect pollinators

02-Feb-23 – European Commission

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEX_23_543