Bees losing their buzz . . . and collecting just half the pollen!

IT is one of the most soothing sounds in nature.

But the buzzing of bumblebees as they fly from flower to flower has been altered by pesticides, making it harder for them to collect pollen.

Monitoring the bees with microphones, British researchers found certain pesticides affect ‘buzz-pollination’ – the vibrations used by bees to explode pollen out of flowers that have evolved to become too tight for them to enter.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that those exposed to the chemicals collected around half the amount of pollen.

Lead author Dr Penelope Whitehorn, from the University of Stirling, said: ‘Pesticide exposure may impair bees’ ability to perform complex behaviours, such as buzz-pollination.’

Scientists analysed the acoustic signal produced by bumblebees during buzz-pollination. They found long-term exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides, at similar levels to those found in agricultural fields, interfered with their vibrations.

Dr Whitehorn said: ‘The control bees, which were not exposed to the pesticide, improved their pollen collection as they gained experience, which we interpreted as an ability to learn to buzz-pollinate better.

‘However, bees that came into contact with pesticide did not collect more pollen as they gained more experience, and collected between 47 per cent and 6 per cent less pollen.’