(NPR) In her new book, “Buzz, Sting, Bite: Why We Need Insects”, Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson writes about the dangers people face as the numbers of insects drop. The creatures play a vital role in pollinating crops, eating discarded food left behind on city streets, and feeding other animals in the food chain.
(The Sun) Osmia avosetta bees, which are commonly found in the Middle East, are known for their unique nests made from flower petals. The family contacted the British Beekeepers Association which then alerted the UK’s environmental authority, Defra, and the National Bee Unit. A spokesperson from the association said, “Non-native species like this bee pose several problems and need to be controlled. They may carry viruses that will wipe out native species or they may simply out-compete similar species for food sources.”
(Twitter, Center for Biological Diversity @CenterForBioDiv) “We need your help picking a new slogan for our Endangered Species Condoms! Reply to this tweet to let us know your fave. We’ll turn the one with the most votes into a condom package that gets people talking about the link between human population growth and the extinction crisis.” TBR Editor: Choice #5 is “Before you set your mojo free, think about the Franklin’s Bumble Bee.” Go to Twitter and vote!
(Twitter, Dr. Hollis Woodard @bee_witcher) “Bumble bee folks: register for BOMBUSS asap b/c spots are running out fast! This meeting will focus more on conservation and you’ll have the amazing opportunity to meet and hang w/ some of the greats of our field (I’ll be there too! 😆) 💚 join us!”
(Euronews) Introducing @bee_nfluencer, an insect on a mission to highlight declining bee numbers. This bee-hind flaunting CGI honey-bee has already got 103,000 followers on Instagram.
(The Register-Guard) The Oregon Bee Project has a strategic plan, launched in June 2018, with four goals: protect bees from pesticide exposure, increase habitat, reduce impacts of diseases and pests on bees and expand the understanding of bees in the state.
(2 Million Blossoms) 2 Million Blossoms, a new quarterly magazine dedicated to protecting our pollinators, will reportedly print its first issue in January 2020. The magazine is planning to offer short and long form articles exploring how bees, birds, butterflies and bats enhance the planet.
(RIT) The Rochester Institute of Technology has partnered with the Seneca Park Zoo Society to work on several projects both on and off campus to promote the conservation of pollinating animals, including birds, bees, and butterflies. RIT planted a seed mix specially designed to conserve pollinators in Western New York along a main road on campus.