The Bee's Knees

We’re exploring the challenges faced by native bees due to rising temperatures and drier conditions. Dr. Melanie Kazenel discusses her research using a 16-year dataset from New Mexico's drylands, revealing that while some bee species show resilience, about half face potential declines. The conversation touches on bee physiology, the importance of bee size in pollination, and the broader impli...

What are the indirect effects of honey bee introductions on native bee populations and plant pollination patterns? Dr. Maureen Page joins us to share the unique roles that native bees play in our ecosystems, highlighting their differences from their honey-producing cousins and how these distinctions are vital for the health of our planet. The common camas herb, a key focus of the study, will serve...

How important are rare and declining bee species for pollinating various wildflowers and crops? We’re talking about that in this episode with Dr. Mark Genung who introduces us to ecosystem function theory and the broader implications for biodiversity when we lose species in a community. Our conversation covers significant findings from his recent study, the importance of maintaining biodiversity,...

From the temperate regions of Tasmania to the tropical landscapes of Queensland, every corner of Australia offers unique challenges and opportunities for our vital native bees. Today we’re speaking with Dr. Kit Prendergast about the intricate world of Australian bees and their specialized relationships with native flora. What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thanks...

Every day native bees fly and forage under a shadow — the threat from pesticides. Today we’re talking with Dr. Charlie Nicholson who guides us through the dangers that agricultural pesticide use poses to our vital pollinators and introduces us to the concept of post-approval monitoring of these chemicals. We discover there is a pressing need for stronger regulatory measures to protect our invaluab...

Research underscores the remarkable efficiency of wild bees over their honey-producing counterparts in pollinating fruit trees, a critical insight for agriculture and biodiversity. Today we’re exploring the verdant orchards of Ireland with Garry Connolly, a passionate advocate for native bees. Garry shares his journey from curiosity to action, mobilizing a community-wide effort to support these cr...

It’s not news that the food we eat should be nutritious, but are the floral resources we provide to bees actually what they need?  We explore the intricate world of bee nutrition with our guest Dr. Sarah Leonhardt. We chat about the importance of pollen and nectar, the challenges in analyzing pollen chemistry, the impact of climate change on flower quality, and the need to deepen our understanding...

The month of May buzzes with significance for our tiny yet mighty bees. We kick off with World Bee Day on May 20, a global celebration aiming to spotlight the critical role bees and other pollinators play in ensuring food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and preserving biodiversity. And then we move right into the International Day for Biodiversity on May 22, reflecting on the rich tap...

Providing nesting areas and floral resources for bees contributes to the conservation of biodiversity. Taking care of our native bees is one of the best ways to safeguard our environment. We’re speaking with Justina Block who shares her journey of raising native bees at home to starting a business promoting native bees and their habitats which led to a research-based project looking for the best f...

Let your lawn become a haven for bees! Did you know that by mowing less and nurturing the wildflowers that bring them joy, you can support bee abundance and diversity? Today, we’re talking with Dr. Susannah Lerman about her research study that found mowing lawns less can be a simple and cost-effective way to support bee populations without the need for replacing lawns or creating separate pollinat...

Let’s talk about the challenges wild and native bees face, with a particular focus on habitat loss. Beyond just the scarcity of floral resources, we’re looking at the often-overlooked aspect of nesting site depletion when natural landscapes are transformed for agriculture or urban development. My guest Aaron Bhambra introduces us to lowland heath, an internationally threatened ecosystem, and the t...

The native versus non-native plant debate for native bees is one that demands careful consideration. We talk to Dr. Nicole Seitz who believes that while native plants remain the preferred option for supporting native bees, the inclusion of high-quality pollinator-friendly non-native plants can be good supplementary resources for bees in areas where natural systems are scarce. What's on your bu...

Fast food for bees? A quick meal isn’t often the healthiest. But a lack of food is one of the biggest threats to bees. However, there’s a bright yellow tasty and nutritious bee food source that unfortunately many of us get rid of because it’s considered a weed. Today, Dr. Philip Donkersly tells us why we should let dandelions, the ever-present blooms of sunshine, thrive. What's on your buzzy m...

Creating a bee-friendly garden is not only rewarding but also essential for supporting bee populations and maintaining biodiversity. By planting a variety of native flowers, considering the nutritional value of plants, and providing nesting places, you can make a significant impact on the well-being of bees in your area.  What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thank...

Season 2 is coming on February 6! This season I want us all to Bee Inspired to do a little more to support native bees. Listen now to find out what 2024 has in store for The Bee’s Knees!  What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thanks for listening! Visit our website to learn more about what we discussed today and subscribe to our newsletter . 

Is there one all-powerful pollinator? One that can efficiently pollinate every crop, in every environment, all over the world? Many people believe that the honey bee is such a mighty insect. But actually, wild bees are twice as effective in pollinating crops. Dr. Lucas Garibaldi shares insight from his global study looking at pollination services beyond the honey bee. What's on your buzzy mind...

Imagine leisurely walking through your local park and stumbling upon a neglected area. The grass is overgrown, there are patches of barren soil, and the flowers appear to be in disarray. But upon closer inspection, you'll see that the space is full of life. Bees are buzzing, butterflies are fluttering, and the flowers are charming. You've found a pollinator plot: a natural piece of land...

Native bees and other pollinators are under threat because of widespread pesticide use. But how exactly do these insecticides affect them, and more importantly, the pollination work so critical to our food supply? We talk with researcher Kiah Tasman to find out.  What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thanks for listening! Visit our website to learn more about what...

Pollinators worldwide are dying, which is extremely worrying, especially for bees. We need bees for their pollination services but also to support biodiversity. We know pesticides have devastating consequences for bees, but how do they affect them in the long term? Today’s guest, Dr. Clara Stuligross, decided to find out. What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thank...

Today’s episode looks at the worldwide decline of pollinators and its effects on human health. Insect pollination is crucial in growing vital and nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Unfortunately, many crops are receiving inadequate pollination due to the scarcity and lack of variety of pollinating insects. This impacts our healthy food supply. What's on your buz...

Gut microbiome and smog. You probably didn’t think you’d be listening to that when you clicked play. We talk a lot about bee health, and today’s episode looks at an underexplored area of pollutants and bee health. We all know about pesticides, but there’s something else they can’t fly away from that is endangering their health: air pollution. Our guest is Dr. Hannah Sampson, who researched black c...

Bees are a crucial part of our ecosystem, and their well-being is vital for the survival of many other species. For bees, having access to food when they wake up from their overwintering stage is one of the most important things. As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, it's crucial to ensure enough flowering plants are available for bees to forage on in the early stages of the...

What happens when researchers spot a rare bumblebee at an unusual time of the year? Working with local officials, they ensured plant conditions remained, allowing them to learn more about the Bombus Confusus. Today, we’re talking to one of the researchers, Michal Perlík. What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thanks for listening! Visit our website to learn more abo...

Bee hotels can give cavity-nesting bees a place to live. But they can also be excellent research tools when looking at native bee fitness, diversity, and abundance. Today we’re talking with Dr. Kit Prendergast about the benefits of bee hotels.  What's on your buzzy mind? Send us a text message and let us know! Thanks for listening! Visit our website to learn more about what we discussed today...

How else can pollen benefit bees? In this episode, we talk about the common eastern bumblebee, bombus impatiens and a gut pathogen called Crithidia bombi. Researchers started out looking at nectar and then moved on to pollen when they weren't seeing the results they wanted. They selected a few plants they thought might be interesting, and one of those plants was the sunflower. This episode is...