Changes in agricultural policy and practice, such as increased intensification and fertiliser use, are responsible for many historical extinctions of pollinator populations in the UK, suggests new research. The study looked at bee and wasp extinction rates in relation to agricultural practices since the mid-19th century.

Urban areas may support higher levels of bee diversity than expected, new research has shown. The UK-wide study compared three different habitat types - nature reserves, farmland, and urban areas - and found a higher number of different bee species in urban areas than farmland. However, the overall pollinator diversity, which included species of bees, flies, hoverflies and butterflies, did not differ significantly between all three landscape types. The researchers call for more attention to be paid to the role of green spaces in cities which can be important habitats for pollinators.

Bumblebees are negatively affected by the insecticide azadirachtin even at concentrations 50 times lower than the recommended levels used by farmers, recent laboratory experiments have revealed. No males hatched in laboratory colonies that were fed on recommended levels of the pesticide and, even at concentrations 50 times lower, the males that did hatch were deformed, and there were significantly fewer compared to an untreated colony.

Pollination studies have, to date, focused almost entirely on bees, butterflies and hoverflies; however, other kinds of flies also have an important role to play in this vital ecosystem service, a new study suggests. Using data from 33 farms, the researchers found that non-hover flies were in fact responsible for carrying 84% of the pollen transferred by flies between flowers in farmland.

The declining number of bee and wasp species in England has been linked to historic changes in land-use in a recent study. Researchers say that policies which promote diverse landscapes offer more opportunities for bees and wasps to nest and forage and are best for conserving these insect pollinators.

A recent study has found that bumblebees in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany are more successful at pollinating urban areas than agricultural land. Urban areas also had higher flower diversity and more potential nesting areas for bees compared to agricultural areas. However, the abundance of bee parasites was also higher in urban areas, although this was not found to negatively impact on pollination. This demonstrates the value of urban green spaces as habitat for pollinators.

The influence of light-emitting diodes (LED) on grassland invertebrate communities has been assessed in a recent study. White LEDs increased the total abundance and changed the species of spiders and beetles recorded. Dimming lights and switching lights off during the middle of the night were the best ways of reducing the effects on beetle and spider numbers.

Agri-environment schemes (AES) have been implemented throughout Europe to mitigate against the negative effects of agricultural intensification. Although these schemes have shown positive effects on the abundance and richness of certain species and taxa, the impact of AES on reproduction of target species at the local and landscape scale is poorly understood. This large-scale study looked for the effect of selected AE measures on bumblebee reproduction. Results indicate that bumblebee reproduction is significantly higher on sown flower patches when compared to conventional management. Although the increase is most pronounced at the plot scale, higher reproduction was found in landscapes surrounding larger sown plots (at least one hectare) compared to smaller sown plots.

A study of wildflower planting within agri-environment schemes has demonstrated that the practice can support a diverse array of economically beneficial insect species, not just prominent pollinators such as wild bees and hoverflies. The study demonstrates the high conservation potential of wildflower planting within agricultural landscapes and the value of insects outside the traditional focus of conservation efforts.

To estimate the losses of wild pollinators across Great Britain, a study mapped records of 353 wild bee and hoverfly species, collected across the country from 1980 to 2013. It found that a third of species decreased, while a tenth increased. On average, the geographic range of bee and hoverfly species declined by a quarter, which equates to a net loss of 11 species from each 1km grid square (with uncommon species more harshly affected), highlighting a significant risk to biodiversity, pollinators, and their ecosystems.

A technique that can detect the array of pesticides bees might be exposed to has been developed in Poland. The simplicity, speed and small sample sizes required for screening makes this technique an improvement over other methods, say the researchers behind its development.

Honeybees and bumblebees prefer feeding on nectar laced with certain neonicotinoid pesticides to uncontaminated food, new research has shown. Far from the predictions of some, that bees would avoid food contaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides if given the choice, a new study has shown that bees did not avoid any of the three most common neonicotinoids: imidacloprid, thiamethoxam or clothianidin. Furthermore, they showed a preference for imidacloprid and thiamethoxam over uncontaminated sugar solutions.

The use of pesticides in orchards may be threatening populations of wild bees, which are important pollinators that increase crop productivity, a new study concludes. However, the damage was mitigated in areas where the orchards were surrounded by natural landscapes, such as deciduous forests.

Growing sugar beet varieties which are resistant to their pest, the cyst nematode, is the best way to achieve high sugar yields in northern Germany, recent research has concluded. The researchers say this method is better than growing trap crops or using pesticides to control the pests.

When James Antonas and partner Kirilie Blythman bought their 1940s clinker-brick cottage in Coburg North in 2009, it was with their heads rather than their hearts.

The enchanting world of CBeebies’ hit animated series Sarah & Duck comes to life on stage in Radlett this week. Featuring a host of characters from the BAFTA Award-winning TV show, Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday plays three performances at the Radlett Centre on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

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Watford Ladies game against Hounslow in the FA Women's National League has been postponed due to constant heavy rain.

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Classroom management gets social with sites like Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest helping teachers and students communicate and share knowledge.

The sustainable brewery will donate all proceeds of the hybrid wheat-pale ale to a charity chosen by its social media fans.

The fast-food company denies that pressure from chef Jamie Oliver had anything to do with its decision.

Food news and items of interest from around the Web for your weekend reading.

Looks like the USDA forgot its 'A' stands for all agriculture and not just beef this week, and Monsanto might have more power than the federal court system. It'

This powerhouse veggie includes compounds that will enable you to run further — but incorporating it into your diet should be done carefully.

OK, I admit. Maybe there's no such thing as climate change. Maybe it's all a hoax. Maybe.

Around 180 laypeople help the sisters keep up their round-the-clock prayer vigil.

Grimbergen Abbey will use centuries-old books as inspiration to start brewing beer again after more than 200 years.

Pesky insects can be a real pain during summer outdoor activities, but these simple remedies ease the aftermath of a bee sting.

Bees give us pollination and honey. Now new research suggests their hives may also help prevent hair loss.

Scientists reexamine and reverse a 1955 study that claimed beer and soda would be safe to drink after a nuclear bomb drops and explodes nearby.

Company co-founder and namesake passed away, leaving 'for greener fields and wilder woods.'

These 10 recipes put the sweet, nutritious vegetable at center stage in beautiful and sophisticated ways.

Massive trees, towering over 250 feet, only flower once every 7 to 10 years.

New scientific evidence backs up the benefits of mindfulness meditation.

The record-breaking synchronized dance of 100 drones is unlike anything you've ever seen.

Many people like to imbibe when listening to music, and now we know the sensory experiences may be linked, finds study in Frontiers in Psychology.

The gradual recovery of the building and remodeling industries is being slowed by high prices for lumber. However, there is a plentiful, sustainable alternative

From prefab powerhouse Blu Homes comes the company's eighth and largest design: A spacious, two-story take on Michelle Kaufmann's pioneering prefab, the Breezeh

Pools of water on Earth's moon might have teemed with simple organisms.

Located under the Hiawatha Glacier, the impact crater is one of the largest on Earth.

Elasmotherium sibiricum, the so-called 'Siberian unicorn,' is not as closely related to modern rhinos as once thought.

Bark beetles that are ravaging Arizona's forests can be deterred by their own 'music,' according to new research.

President Obama joined CEA Chairman Austan Goolsbee at the "Winning the Future" Forum on Small Business in Cleveland.

On the 30th anniversary of "Beetlejuice," the female characters in the classic film seem fresher than ever.

Why bees swarm — and what to do if they swarm in your backyard.

Researchers make headway in fight against devastating disorder by breeding bees with the ability to seek out and remove varroa mites.

Consider helping our honeybees by planting native flowers.

Radiation from cell phones might be contributing to the decline in the bee population.

'Inception' star chats with Bill Maher about colony collapse disorder and how industrialized farming is harming bee populations.