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Sustainable Management of Resilient Bee Populations

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SMARTBEES in the EU Research and Innovation Magazine!

The Horizon Magazine brings you the latest news and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU. In the May issue which was dedicated to all kinds of interesting facts about insects the SMARTBEES project has been included. This is the text:

Researchers are developing mite-resistant bees:
The average worker bee can pollinate up to 5 000 flowers in one day, yet only produces 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its entire life. Honey production and pollination may be at risk as the bee population in parts of Europe continues to dwindle due a decline in habitable space, pesticides, and the deadly varroa mite, which has been the main reason for the majority of colony losses over the last 50 years. Some researchers, backed by EU funding, are looking into ways to measure bees’ resistance against the mite to teach beekeepers how to breed stronger populations.

You may find the full text entitled "Eight creepy crawly facts that will really bug you" if follow this link.