Hedgerow fruits provide a food resource for several UK farmland bird species from late summer, through winter and into spring. This project aims to develop the understanding of the interactions between fruit-bearing hedgerow flowers, their pollinators, hedgerow fruits and frugivorous birds. Experiments revealed that flowers of blackthorn, hawthorn and ivy all benefited from insect visits in order to develop fruit. The flowers of bramble and dog rose showed little requirement for insect pollination, and produced fruit when insects were excluded. There was evidence that for the hedges under study, the pollination service provided by insects to blackthorn and hawthorn flowers was inadequate since the flowers of these plants were pollen limited. The relative abundance of different insect groups foraging on blackthorn flowers was highly variable between hedges, suggesting that the contribution of a particular insect group to blackthorn pollination may vary according to their local density. Bumblebees, bristly flies and solitary bees were considered to have the greatest value for pollinating blackthorn flowers, based on foraging attributes (bumblebees and solitary bees), and abundance (bristly flies), but their activity did not correlate with the proportion of flowers that set fruit. Solitary bee activity correlated with hawthorn pollination, and there was strong evidence that social wasps were the best pollinators of ivy flowers on the hedges studied. Environmental factors such as hedge aspect did not significantly affect the activity of most pollinators (with the exception of solitary bees) or the proportion of blackthorn flowers that set fruit. Equally, the presence of the mass-flowering, attractive forage source, oilseed rape in fields adjacent to hedgerows, did not significantly influence the activity of most pollinators or the proportion of hawthorn flowers that set fruit. The abundance of some frugivorous birds, in particular the migratory thrushes (redwings and fieldfares) was positively related to the yield of fruits, including sloes and haws in hedges. So the evidence suggests that on these farms, pollinator communities are important for ensuring some hedgerow shrubs provide copious fruit, which may be vital for birds during winter months when invertebrate food is scarce. These links between flowers, pollinators, fruits and birds are discussed, alongside suggestions for safeguarding the fruit supply for farmland birds in the future.

Bees interested people because of honey and wax from ancient times. They were called God’s beetles, God’s workers. Bee products were used for food and medicine. It is advisable for people to eat about 1,8 kg of honey a year. Lately bee farms have been growing stronger. The owners of some apiaries are increasing and modernizing their farms. At the moment 83 thousand families are bred in Lithuania. AIM OF RESEARCH. To establish the dependence of bee mass on the springs of comb, comparing the used discs of the springs of the bee family natural wax combs an artificial combs. METHODS AND CONDITIONS OF RESEARCH. The data for research were collected during the summer of 2006 from bee families bred in Kaunas. In individual variants hives were expanded by discs of springs of natural wax comb and plastic discs of springs of combs. After 8 days after making of cells they were put into well warmed hives or a thermostat for breeding. After 24-36 hours after breeding of bees they were weighed. This experiment will negate the widely spread groundless statements that plastic combs influence the mass of bees. Apirians may safely use plastic wax discs for making combs for bee families. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Artificial discs are more accurate that natural wax discs in all directions of the cells of the comb. 2. Wax discs and artificial comb discs do not influence the mass of bees, as bees bred on such discs during the research showed no significant differences.

As pressures of a growing population take their toll on our environment, efforts must be made to facilitate sustainable behaviours at the neighbourhood scale. Science is demonstrating that the abundance and diversity of native bees is declining in many locales around the world. One of the major drivers of this decline is the loss and fragmentation of habitat, caused in part by suburban expansion. This emerging landscape is dominated by a garden typology not beneficial to bee populations. Using the principles and theories of Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) and a survey of Guelph gardeners and homeowners, effective program strategies are outlined for implementation by Pollination Guelph, and target the behaviours and barriers associated with activities that negatively impact native bees. A CBSM based program will encourage bee-friendly gardening, promote the aggregate changes needed to alter the individuals gardening behaviours, and potentially increase native bee populations in the suburban neighbourhoods of Guelph.

Darbo tikslas – ištirti bičių kolonijų produkcines ir reprodukcines savybes, laikant įvairaus dydţio aviliuose. Siekiant šio tikslo bus iškelti sekantys uţdaviniai: 1. Įtakoti bičių kolonijų pavasarinio apsiskraidymo laiką; 2. Įvertinti bičių svorį po pavasarinio apsiskraidymo; 3. Nustatyti avilio tipo įtaką bičių šeimų ţiemojimui bei jų fiziologinei būklei; 4. Nustatyti traninių perų pasirodymo laiką bičių kolonijoje; 5. Nustatyti Varroa destructor erkių įtaką tranų lervučių masei; 6. Nustatyti avilio talpumo įtaką motinių lopšelių skaičiui bei bičių produkcijai. Buvo stebimas bičių kolonijų pavasarinis apsiskraidymas, sveriamos bitės po pavasarinio apsiskraidymo, stebimas aptūptų bitėmis korių skaičius 2010–2011 metais. Apţiūrimi pirmieji traniniai perai bičių kolonijoje, sveriant tranų lervas nustatinėjama erkių Varroa destructor įtaka jų masei, įvertinama bičių kolonijų fiziologinė būklė. Taip pat registruojami motininiai lopšeliai bičių šeimose ir medaus kopimo metu atliekama išsukto medaus apskaita. Bičių apsiskraidymas vyko dviem etapais, pirmą kartą apsiskraidė 4 bičių šeimos, o antra likusios 12 šeimų. Ištyrus bičių svorį po pavasarinio apsiskraidymo paaiškėjo, kad iš 60 % tirtų bičių svoris yra 0,11 g, o likusių bičių svoris maţesnis. Nustatant avilio įtaką bičių šeimų ţiemojimui 2010–2011 metais, buvo nustatyta, kad 27 korių aviliuose bičių šeimos yra stipriausios. Apţiūrint bičių kolonijas, iš 16 bičių šeimų, 4 šeimos buvo su pirmaisiais traniniais perais... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim – to investigate bee colony productive and reproductive characteristics. To achieve this objective will be to raise the following goals: 1. Influence first fly colonies in spring time; 2. To evaluate the weight of the bees in the spring after first fly; 3. Identify type of impact on the hive of bees and their families in winter physiological condition; 4. Set the time of the appearance of peers traninių bee colony; 5. Determine the impact of Varroa destructor mites in drone larvae masses; 6. Set the capacity of the hive mother influence the number of nursery and bee products. Colonies were observed in spring first flight, weighed after spring first flight bees, bees, combs sits observed number 2010–2011 years. Also examined the first drones peers bee colony, weighing the drone larvae of identical mite Varroa destructor influence their weight, assess the physiological state of bee colonies. The nursery also recorded maternal families of honey bees climbing in done unfolded honey accounting. First flight bees gone through two phases, the first flight four colonies, and the second the remaining 12 families. Examination of the weight of the bee first fly spring showed that 60% of tested bees weighing 0.1138 g and the weight of the remaining bees. In determining the impact of the hive bee families influence winter 2010–2011, has been found that 27 hives of bees honeycomb is the strongest of the family. Survey of bee colonies in 16 hives, four families were the first drone... [to full text]

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2008. / Includes reprints of four papers and manuscripts co-authored with others. Includes bibliographical references. Also partially issued electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; online version lacks reprints of four papers and manuscripts.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-05-03Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:46:53Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 patricio_gb_dr_rcla.pdf: 959271 bytes, checksum: b387631a877434858442390096131708 (MD5) / A ocorrência de várias espécies de polinizadores, o tamanho de suas populações, suas interações tróficas, assim como a estrutura e a dinâmica das comunidades, são determinadas por processos que ocorrem em diferentes escalas espaciais. As transformações na paisagem e as alterações bióticas e abióticas em áreas fragmentadas podem resultar no desaparecimento de espécies de abelhas, além de consequências irreversíveis para outras espécies. Vários autores relatam uma forte relação entre a produtividade de diferentes cultivos e a presença nas proximidades de fragmentos de vegetação nativa. Estudos desenvolvidos em áreas agrícolas possibilitam a avaliação dos efeitos de diferentes práticas de cultivo sobre a abundância e a riqueza de espécies de polinizadores, além de fornecerem respostas a questões ainda não abordadas. Esses estudos podem ainda, fornecer dados que reforcem a necessidade da conservação de diferentes espécies de plantas e animais, além de oferecerem subsídios para a proposição de planos de manejo assim como informações indispensáveis para execução de políticas públicas e privadas, voltadas para a conservação da biodiversidade. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar (i) a dependência de Solanum melongena L. (Fam. Solanaceae) em relação a polinizadores e (ii) a influência da paisagem sobre a diversidade de abelhas e indiretamente sobre a produtividade dos cultivos. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro áreas, duas de cultivo orgânico e duas de cultivo convencional. Em cada área foram realizados testes de polinização controlados para avaliar a dependência das visitas de abelhas para a formação de frutos de berinjela. A quantidade e a qualidade dos frutos formados foram os parâmetros adotados para a avaliação da produtividade dos cultivos estudados. Posteriormente, foi realizado um levantamento de abelhas nos cultivos e na vegetação ruderal que crescia nas áreas de estudo. / Processes that occur at different spatial scales determine the occurrence of several species of pollinators, the size of their populations, their trophic interactions, as well as the structure and dynamics of communities. Changes in the landscape and in the biotic and abiotic conditions in fragmented areas may result in the disappearance of bee species, and irreversible consequences for others species. Many authors have reported a strong relationship between productivity of different crops and the presence of fragments of native vegetation nearby. Studies carried out in agricultural areas enable the assessment of the effects of different cultivation practices on the abundance and species richness of pollinators, and provide answers to questions not yet addressed. These studies may also provide data that support the need for conservation of different species of plants and animals, and provide subsidies for management plans proposition as well as information necessary for execution of public and private policies, aimed at biodiversity conservation. The aims of this study were to investigate (i) how dependent Solanum melongena L. is on bees for fruit production and (ii) the influence of landscape on bee diversity and productivity of crops. The research was conducted in four areas, two organic and two conventional crops. Bee samplings were performed during the crop flowering peak, both in eggplant and ruderal vegetation’s flowers. Pollination tests were carried out in order to evaluate the importance of bees for fruit setting in S. melongena L. The selected areas were characterized by satellite images, which were mapped on the use and land cover. The quality of habitats was assessed by analysis of the landscape. We evaluated important landscape elements for the conservation of bees, such as number and percentage of native vegetation fragments, secondary habitats, other cultivated species, etc. The results showed that eggplant is highly...

Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2016-09-01T17:47:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO MAURO GUIDA _13 DE MAIO 2010_.pdf: 1593820 bytes, checksum: 35963c297acc7147945a9ce785d68035 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Reis (vanessa.jamile@ufba.br) on 2016-09-02T16:33:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO MAURO GUIDA _13 DE MAIO 2010_.pdf: 1593820 bytes, checksum: 35963c297acc7147945a9ce785d68035 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-02T16:33:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO MAURO GUIDA _13 DE MAIO 2010_.pdf: 1593820 bytes, checksum: 35963c297acc7147945a9ce785d68035 (MD5) / Capes / A própolis é um produto apícola, originário de vegetais utilizado na medicina popular e na indústria de alimentos. Tem composição mineral complexa e dependente do tipo de abelha e tipo de vegetação da região onde é produzida. Neste trabalho foram propostas estratégias analíticas visando quantificar os elementos Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, V e Zn presentes nas 51 amostras de própolis “in natura”, produzidas em apiários instalados no Estado da Bahia. Foram investigados dois procedimentos para decomposição das amostras e os digeridos foram usados para determinação dos analitos por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) e espectrometria de absorção atômica de alta resolução utilizando fonte continua (HR-CS FAAS). Os procedimentos de decomposição investigados empregando aquecimento condutivo ou assistido por radiação microondas, mostraram-se eficientes com recuperações na faixa de 94-105%. O procedimento empregando forno de microondas com cavidade apresenta como vantagens menor tempo de análise, resultados precisos e baixos limites de detecção. Foram testados dois sistemas para introdução das amostras: nebulizador concêntrico seaspray-câmara de nebulização ciclônica (SP) e nebulizador com ranhuras em V e câmara de nebulização Sturman Masters (VG). Aplicando o teste t pareado ao nível de confiança de 95% não houve diferença significativa nas concentrações obtidas pelos dois sistemas, mas as sensibilidades alcançadas, para todos os elementos estudados, foram aproximadamente 50% melhores para o sistema SP quando comparadas com os valores obtidos quando se utilizou o sistema VG em condições robustas do ICP OES. As determinações mostraram ausência de efeito da matriz e desvio padrão relativo (RSD) inferior a 10%. A exatidão do método foi avaliada usando materiais de referência certificados NIST 1515, folhas de maçã e NIST 1570ª, folhas de espinafre e aplicando o teste t pareado ao nível de 95% não foram verificadas diferenças significativas nas concentrações obtidas. Todas as amostras apresentaram elevadas concentrações de Ca e K. Maiores teores de Cr foram obtidos para amostras de Pojuca. Utilizou-se PCA para classificar a própolis produzida na Bahia e os resultados mostraram que há tendência a formação de uma classe formada por amostras de própolis do litoral e outra classe formada por própolis do interior do estado. / Propolis is a bee product, originating from plants used in folk medicine and food industry. The mineral composition of propolis is complex and dependent on the type of bee and type of vegetation in the region where it is produced. In this work, analytical strategies were proposed to quantify the elements Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, and Zn present in 51 samples of fresh propolis. All samples were produced in apiaries installed in the State of Bahia. Two procedures for pre-treatment of sample were Investigated to determination of analytes by optical emission spectrometry of inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) and atomic absorption spectrometry high-resolution continuous source (HR-CS FAAS). The decomposition procedures of samples using conductive heating or microwave assisted heating, proved to be efficient with recoveries in the range of 94- 105%. The procedure using cavity microwave oven with closed vessels has the advantages of shorter time of analysis, more accurate results and lower limits of detection. We tested two systems for introduction of samples: Seaspray concentric nebulizer-cyclonic chamber and V- groove nebulizer-spray chamber Sturman Masters. Applying the paired t test at 95% confidence level there was no significant difference in concentrations obtained by both systems, but the sensitivity for all elements investigated were 50% better in SP system compared with the VG system using ICP OES under robust conditions. Matrix effects did not occur and RSDs generally lower than 10% were obtained. The accuracy of the method was evaluated using certified reference materials NIST 1515 apple leaves and NIST 1570a, spinach leaves and applying the paired t test at 95% confidence level there was not observed significant difference in concentrations obtained both CRMs. All the samples showed high concentration of Ca and K. Higher content of Cr was obtained for samples collected at Pojuca. Using PCA to classify the propolis produced in Bahia the results showed that there is a tendency to form a class consisting of propolis samples from the coast, and another class formed of propolis originated inland.

Ptilothrix bombiformis (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) is a specialist bee belonging to the tribe Emphorini. The emphorine phylogeny suggests that Convolvulacea is the ancestral plant family and independent evolutionary host-switches to several unrelated plant families have occurred. The role of floral scent has been well-characterized in pollination systems involving moths, butterflies, bumblebees, and honeybees, but little is known about how specialist bees mediate host selection, or how host-choice evolved in specialist bees. This research investigates the role of floral scent in host selection by P. bombiformis. Ptilothrix bombiformis has traditionally been classified as a Hibiscus (Malvaceae) oligolege. My research shows that it can now be placed into a more detailed dietary classification as an eclectic oligolege because it also collects pure pollen loads from a distantly-related plant, Ipomoea pandurata (Convolvulaceae). Using dynamic headspace sampling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, I obtained floral chemical profiles for Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. lasiocarpos and Ipomoea pandurata. Both flowers contain aliphatics, aromatic compounds, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. The host flowers have 14 shared compounds in their floral scent, which may be responsible for the bees' ability to recognize and utilize I. pandurata, a member or the emphorine ancestral host-plant family. Some of these shared compounds are also found in other emphorine host plants and may be responsible for their constraint in host-use.

Orientador: Maria José de Oliveira Campos / Banca: Fernanda Helena Nogueira-Ferreira / Banca: Edilberto Giannotti / Banca: Osmar Malaspina / Banca: Maria Cristina Gaglianone / Resumo: A ocorrência de várias espécies de polinizadores, o tamanho de suas populações, suas interações tróficas, assim como a estrutura e a dinâmica das comunidades, são determinadas por processos que ocorrem em diferentes escalas espaciais. As transformações na paisagem e as alterações bióticas e abióticas em áreas fragmentadas podem resultar no desaparecimento de espécies de abelhas, além de consequências irreversíveis para outras espécies. Vários autores relatam uma forte relação entre a produtividade de diferentes cultivos e a presença nas proximidades de fragmentos de vegetação nativa. Estudos desenvolvidos em áreas agrícolas possibilitam a avaliação dos efeitos de diferentes práticas de cultivo sobre a abundância e a riqueza de espécies de polinizadores, além de fornecerem respostas a questões ainda não abordadas. Esses estudos podem ainda, fornecer dados que reforcem a necessidade da conservação de diferentes espécies de plantas e animais, além de oferecerem subsídios para a proposição de planos de manejo assim como informações indispensáveis para execução de políticas públicas e privadas, voltadas para a conservação da biodiversidade. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar (i) a dependência de Solanum melongena L. (Fam. Solanaceae) em relação a polinizadores e (ii) a influência da paisagem sobre a diversidade de abelhas e indiretamente sobre a produtividade dos cultivos. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro áreas, duas de cultivo orgânico e duas de cultivo convencional. Em cada área foram realizados testes de polinização controlados para avaliar a dependência das visitas de abelhas para a formação de frutos de berinjela. A quantidade e a qualidade dos frutos formados foram os parâmetros adotados para a avaliação da produtividade dos cultivos estudados. Posteriormente, foi realizado um levantamento de abelhas nos cultivos e na vegetação ruderal que crescia nas áreas de estudo. / Abstract: Processes that occur at different spatial scales determine the occurrence of several species of pollinators, the size of their populations, their trophic interactions, as well as the structure and dynamics of communities. Changes in the landscape and in the biotic and abiotic conditions in fragmented areas may result in the disappearance of bee species, and irreversible consequences for others species. Many authors have reported a strong relationship between productivity of different crops and the presence of fragments of native vegetation nearby. Studies carried out in agricultural areas enable the assessment of the effects of different cultivation practices on the abundance and species richness of pollinators, and provide answers to questions not yet addressed. These studies may also provide data that support the need for conservation of different species of plants and animals, and provide subsidies for management plans proposition as well as information necessary for execution of public and private policies, aimed at biodiversity conservation. The aims of this study were to investigate (i) how dependent Solanum melongena L. is on bees for fruit production and (ii) the influence of landscape on bee diversity and productivity of crops. The research was conducted in four areas, two organic and two conventional crops. Bee samplings were performed during the crop flowering peak, both in eggplant and ruderal vegetation's flowers. Pollination tests were carried out in order to evaluate the importance of bees for fruit setting in S. melongena L. The selected areas were characterized by satellite images, which were mapped on the use and land cover. The quality of habitats was assessed by analysis of the landscape. We evaluated important landscape elements for the conservation of bees, such as number and percentage of native vegetation fragments, secondary habitats, other cultivated species, etc. The results showed that eggplant is highly... / Doutor

Bees provide important pollination services for crops and wild flowers, estimated to be valued at £120 billion to the global economy. However, declining bee populations have put these services in jeopardy. Pesticides are widely blamed, at least in part, for declines in both wild and managed bee species. Bees are exposed to dietary residues of pesticides when foraging on the nectar and pollen of treated bee-attractive crops. However, these residues are generally found at such low levels that it would not be feasible for a bee to ingest an acute lethal dose. Pesticides which exhibit time-reinforced toxicity could cause mortality to bees over an extended exposure period, though, as the damage they cause can increase exponentially over time. Currently, there is no test for time-reinforced toxicity included in bee risk assessments of pesticides. The overall aims of this thesis were to identify pesticides that exhibit time-reinforced toxicity and determine their effects on a range of demographically important sublethal endpoints in bees. Using a bioassay based on Haber’s Law, I identified fipronil as a pesticide exhibiting time-reinforced toxicity (TRT) in both the honey bee (Apis mellifera) and bumble bee (Bombus terrestris), from four widely-used candidate pesticides. Fipronil at field-relevant levels was found to significantly reduce the longevity and feeding of individual worker bumble bees and those in microcolonies. This nutrient limitation was postulated to be the cause of reduced fecundity of bumble bee microcolonies exposed to dietary fipronil at concentrations of 1 part per billion and less. The toxic effect of fipronil was dramatically increased when microcolonies were placed outside to forage for food, an effect documented by several other studies, and potentially due to an increase in metabolic rate from the need to fly. However, these effects were not observed in queenright Bombus terrestris colonies in the field. This disparity in effects may have been due to problems with exposure to fipronil rather than any possible resilience of colonies. The thesis findings highlight the need for time-reinforced toxicity testing in bees to be integrated into current risk assessment protocols for pesticides. My work in this thesis has provided validation for the use of the TRT bioassay in future risk assessments of pesticides. Current-use pesticides that exhibit TRT, in this case fipronil, pose a serious threat to both wild and managed bees, impacting on demographically important endpoints including feeding and reproduction. Further research, continuing on from the work in this thesis, is needed to ascertain the impacts of TRT pesticides at both colony and population levels. Determining the mechanisms of TRT pesticides will also be key to protecting bees from the danger they pose.