Colony Productivity Research Articles

Toward greater realism in inclusive fitness models: the case of caste fate conflict in insect societies.

In the field of social evolution, inclusive fitness theory has been successful in making a wide range of qualitative predictions on expected patterns of cooperation and conflict. Nevertheless, outside of sex ratio theory, inclusive fitness models that make accurate quantitative predictions remain relatively rare. Past models dealing with caste fate conflict in insect societies, for example, successfully predicted that if female larvae can control their own caste fate, an excess should opt to selfishly develop as queens. Available models, however, were unable to accurately predict levels of queen production observed in Melipona bees-a genus of stingless bees where caste is self-determined-as empirically observed levels of queen production are approximately two times lower than the theoretically predicted ones. Here, we show that this discrepancy can be resolved by explicitly deriving the colony-level cost of queen overproduction from a dynamic model of colony growth, requiring the incorporation of parameters of colony growth and demography, such as the per-capita rate at which new brood cells are built and provisioned, the percentage of the queen's eggs that are female, costs linked with worker reproduction and worker mortality. Our revised model predicts queen overproduction to more severely impact colony productivity, resulting in an evolutionarily stable strategy that is approximately half that of the original model, and is shown to accurately predict actual levels of queen overproduction observed in different Melipona species. Altogether, this shows how inclusive fitness models can provide accurate quantitative predictions, provided that costs and benefits are modeled in sufficient detail and are measured precisely.

Intercropping on Mars: A promising system to optimise fresh food production in future martian colonies.

Future colonists on Mars will need to produce fresh food locally to acquire key nutrients lost in food dehydration, the primary technique for sending food to space. In this study we aimed to test the viability and prospect of applying an intercropping system as a method for soil-based food production in Martian colonies. This novel approach to Martian agriculture adds valuable insight into how we can optimise resource use and enhance colony self-sustainability, since Martian colonies will operate under very limited space, energy, and Earth supplies. A likely early Martian agricultural setting was simulated using small pots, a controlled greenhouse environment, and species compliant with space mission requirements. Pea (Pisum sativum), carrot (Daucus carota) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) were grown in three soil types ("MMS-1" Mars regolith simulant, potting soil and sand), planted either mixed (intercropping) or separate (monocropping). Rhizobia bacteria (Rhizobium leguminosarum) were added as the pea symbiont for Nitrogen-fixing. Plant performance was measured as above-ground biomass (g), yield (g), harvest index (%), and Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potassium content in yield (g/kg). The overall intercropping system performance was calculated as total relative yield (RYT). Intercropping had clear effects on plant performance in Mars regolith, being beneficial for tomato but mostly detrimental for pea and carrot, ultimately giving an overall yield disadvantage compared to monocropping (RYT = 0.93). This effect likely resulted from the observed absence of Rhizobia nodulation in Mars regolith, negating Nitrogen-fixation and preventing intercropped plants from leveraging their complementarity. Adverse regolith conditions-high pH, elevated compactness and nutrient deficiencies-presumably restricted Rhizobia survival/nodulation. In sand, where more favourable soil conditions promoted effective nodulation, intercropping significantly outperformed monocropping (RYT = 1.32). Given this, we suggest that with simple regolith improvements, enhancing conditions for nodulation, intercropping shows promise as a method for optimising food production in Martian colonies. Specific regolith ameliorations are proposed for future research.

Селекция медоносной пчелы: достижения, проблемы и перспективы

The honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is one of the most important managed insect pollinators worldwide. In recent years, negative processes have been occurring in honey bee populations all over the world, Russia included. Of particular concern are the mass mortality of bees due to decreased adaptation of bee colonies to environmental factors and the hybridization of bees due to replacement of native populations by gentle and productive commercial lines. Nowadays, honey bee selection is a promising area of world beekeeping which is aimed at improving and breeding new lines and breeds that are highly productive, resistant to diseases, and adapted to local climate and honey flow conditions. The review is devoted to the issues of honeybee selection and includes an analysis of the problems and achievements of classical selection, and an assessment of prospects for the introduction of molecular selection into beekeeping. In most selection and breeding programs, economic and behavioral traits, primarily honey productivity, colony strength, gentle temper, and low swarming tendency have been of predominant importance. Other selective traits, such as viability, disease resistance, and local adaptation are considered less significant since their insufficient manifestation can be compensated by caring for the bees, for example, pharmaceuticals, artificial feeding, and other beekeeping methods. Latterly, due to the growing problem of Varroa infestation of bee colonies, breeding programs also consider traits such as hygienic behavior, the growth of Varroa infestation, etc. In Russia, the selection of bees is aimed at obtaining strong colonies that are highly productive in honey, winter-hardy, resistant to diseases, possessing high egg-laying queens, etc. Recently, the genotype-environment interaction and its influence on honey bee health have been of particular interest. These studies demonstrate the relevance of breeding sustainable bee populations and lines adapted to local conditions. This will preserve the diversity of bees, prevent their death, and ensure sustainable productivity and adaptation of bee colonies to environmental changes. In traditional breeding programs, animals are selected and evaluated based on their phenotypic traits and using pedigrees. Such analysis is very labor-intensive, subjective, and considerably time-consuming. Bee selection is complicated by polyandry, male parthenogenesis, free and random mating of queens, death of mated drones, etc. Although the potential of classic breeding methods has not been fully realized yet, modern breeding programs require the use of molecular genetics methods and genomic technologies. The introduction of molecular markers (SSRs, SNP, etc.), sequencing, microarray, and information technology makes it possible to incorporate genetic information into breeding programs and provides more accurate and efficient breeding results. Despite the sequencing of the Apis mellifera genome in 2006, specific genetic markers that could be used in bee selection have not yet been proposed. At the same time, 'Omics' technologies have made it possible to identify various molecular markers (QTL, SNP, RNA, and proteins), which theoretically can be used for the selection and improvement of bee breeds. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) have now been identified, which is associated with queen fertility, disease resistance, and various types of behavior, including hygienic behavior and Varroa-sensitive hygiene in bees. Considerable research interest is aimed at creating bee populations that are resistant to diseases, primarily var-roosis as the biggest threat to global beekeeping, and developing methods for assessing the complex behavior of bees and their effective selection. To assess associations with honey production, gentleness, hygienic behavior, and resistance to the Varroa mite, a high-density SNP chip was developed. It can be used in genomic selection of honeybees and for Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). The successful use of Marker-Associated Selection (MAS) in beekeeping has been demonstrated, namely, DNA markers associated with royal jelly productivity (genes of the mrjp family) have been developed. In 2023, the first study was conducted to estimate the breeding value of a bee reference population based on queen genotyping and it showed that genomic selection can be successfully applied to bees. The use of bee gut microbiome data as markers of colony health and viability in breeding programs is discussed. Thus, honey bee breeding, including molecular selection, provides an increase in the genetic and adaptive potential of existing breeds and the creation of new lines and ecotypes of bees, highly productive and adapted to certain natural and climatic conditions. Selection of honeybees contributes to the development and intensification of beekeeping. Even though the development of DNA markers of productivity, adaptability and resistance to diseases will open up new prospects for genetic selection and provide a significant advantage in time, issues related to the improvement of the classical system of bee selection currently remain relevant. The article contains 4 Figures, 1 Tables, 105 References. The Author declares no conflict of interest.

РАЗВИТИЕ ПЧЕЛОВОДСТВА БУЗДЯКСКОГО РАЙОНА РЕСПУБЛИКИ БАШКОРТОСТАН

The Buzdyaksky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan is part of the Pre-Ural agricultural zone, characterized by favorable soil and climatic conditions for the development of beekeeping. In 2019, there were 2,832 bee families in the district in all categories of farms; in public sector farms – 2,470; 115.1 tons produced; 65.5 tons of honey were sold. Central Russian and Bashkir breeds of bees are bred. They produce buckwheat, sweet clover, meadow, and sunflower honey varieties. One of the large beekeeping farms is Agricultural cooperative Kidash. Since the 30s of the 20th century at the Bashkir State Agrarian University (BSAU) [M.G. Giniyatullin, A.G. Mannapov, R.T. Mannapova, D.T. Shakirov, I.V. Shafikov et al.] and in the Bashkir zonal beekeeping experimental station (A.M. Kovalev, H.A. Tatukov, V.K. Tursukov, etc.) studies were conducted to increase the productivity of bee colonies in apiaries and others

Estimates of the vitality and performances of Apis mellifera mellifera and hybrid honey bee colonies in Siberia: a 13-year study.

Honeybees display a great range of biological, behavioral, and economic traits, depending on their genetic origin and environmental factors. The high diversity of honeybees is the result of natural selection of specific phenotypes adapted to the local environment. Of particular interest is adaptation of local and non-local bee colonies to environmental conditions. To study the importance of genotype-environment interactions on the viability and productivity of local and non-local bee colonies, we analyzed the long-term dynamics of the main traits in dark forest bees (Apis mellifera mellifera) and hybrid colonies. From 2010 to 2022, a total of 64 colonies living in an apiary in Siberia, Russia, were monitored and tested to assess their biological, behavioral, and economic traits in a temperate continental climate. We detected significant correlations between the studied biological and behavioral indicators of the bee colony such as colony strength, overwintering ability, infection of colonies with diseases, hygienic behavior, and others. No relationships between the biological and economic (honey productivity) traits of bee colonies are shown. The overall result of our study is that local dark forest bee, A.m.mellifera, showed higher values for all analyzed traits than hybrid colonies. Compared to hybrids, dark forest bee colonies showed more gentleness, productivity, and survivorship. The results from our study indicate a specific local adaptation of the A.m.mellifera subspecies in a temperate continental climate. Siberia represents a unique region for the conservation of the dark forest bee. The creation of conservation areas is one way to protect local bee populations, well adapted to local environmental conditions, from uncontrolled importation of bee breeds from different regions.

Honey bee colonies change their foraging decisions after in-hive experiences with unsuitable pollen.

Pollen is the protein resource for Apis mellifera and its selection affects colony development and productivity. Honey bee foragers mainly lose their capacity to digest pollen, so we expect that those pollen constituents that can only be evaluated after ingestion will not influence their initial foraging preferences at food sources. We predicted that pollen composition may be evaluated in a delayed manner within the nest, for example, through the effects that the pollen causes on the colony according to its suitability after being used by in-hive bees. To address whether pollen foraging is mediated by in-hive experiences, we conducted dual-choice experiments to test the avoidance of pollen adulterated with amygdalin, a deterrent that causes post-ingestion malaise. In addition, we recorded pollen selection in colonies foraging in the field after being supplied or not with amygdalin-adulterated pollen from one of the dominant flowering plants (Diplotaxis tenuifolia). Dual-choice experiments revealed that foragers did not avoid adulterated pollens at the foraging site; however, they avoided pollen that had been offered adulterated within the nest on the previous days. In field experiments, pollen samples from colonies supplied with amygdalin-adulterated pollen were more diverse than controls, suggesting that pollen foraging was biased towards novel sources. Our findings support the hypothesis that pollen assessment relies on in-hive experiences mediated by pollen that causes post-ingestive malaise.

Rightful Recognition of Kurdistan as a Colony and De-colonizing Knowledge Production

In recent years the field of Kurdish Studies has witnessed several workshops and panels on the theme of “decolonizing,” influenced by such conversations in Postcolonial, Black and Indigenous Studies. Interestingly, many of these attempts in academic venues have not engaged with the question of ongoing colonial status of Kurdistan and how this status impacts knowledge production. This paper aims to propose a clear definition of a relationship of coloniality with a focus on colonial violence in the region of Bakur and explain why such terminology is necessary, intellectually and politically. As it explains the limits of the terminology used in academic knowledge production about state violence and Kurdish resistance, it also discusses contemporary alternatives to these dominant academic frameworks. It is argued that a rightful decolonization of knowledge about Kurdistan and freedom movements in the region can take place when we simultaneously recognize ongoing colonization, and acknowledge that it is ultimately the organized anti-colonial movements, which can determine definitions of self-determination, as well as the political means to gain and sustain it.

Vairimorpha apis Versus Vairimorpha ceranae, Replacement or Dynamic Prevalence?

Abstract Nosematosis is currently a frequently discussed disease of bees caused by two species of microsporidia: Vairimorpha apis, and Vairimorpha ceranae. Vairimorpha apis represents the original species of Apis mellifera parasite, and Vairimorpha ceranae, is a species introduced from Asia. In the last two decades, epidemiological data on the growth of the prevalence of V. ceranae infection have increased, which has led to its dominant position at the expense of its congener V. apis, practically all over the world. This process is assumed to be the result of asymmetric competition within the host, where V. ceranae, showed a better ability to adapt to higher temperatures, which was first manifested by its spread in warmer climate zones. However, several results of studies from recent years somewhat unexpectedly showed that it is premature to talk about the complete replacement of V. apis by V. ceranae. They pointed to a greater influence of seasonality and average temperatures in winter and summer in a given year on the result of the current prevalence of infection and co-infection of Vairimorpha spp., regardless of the climatic zone in which the colonies were located. Considering the different clinical and subclinical manifestations of infection caused by V. apis, and V. ceranae, and its impact on the defense, survival and productivity of bee colonies, the aim of our work was to analyze the factors affecting the distribution and prevalence of Vairimorpha spp.

Body Characteristic of Drones of Different Origin

Abstract Computer-based methods help beekeepers and scientists in apidology and bee research. Using software Optika Vision Pro in this study, three body morphological characteristics has been applied to honeybees’ drones (Apis mellifera carnica) of different origin in identification of difference among them. All three measured body morphological characteristics (body length, forewing length, and head length) were statistically different between drones originated from colonies with mated queens and drones originated from colonies with unfertilised queen and/or with unfertilised worker bee(s), respectively, thus making them potentially more successful in queen fertilization and secondary colony development and productivity.

An Analysis of the Financial Gains from Colonialism of Great Britain

The British Empire is known for its large territory ranging all the way from the Americas to Oceania, with dozens of colonies that brought the empire great wealth and capacity to industrialize and mass produce. Based on data and information on the amount of British colonial production, this article focuses on calculations and estimations of the total colonial gain of the empire above. By estimating the amount of production in selected significant colonies, and then converting the results into the desired unit of measurement, a calculated value of colonial wealth can be achieved. The resulting values reveal that the British Empire is estimated to have generated more than 35 trillion British pounds, 56 million pounds of tobacco, 54 million tons of sugar, 173 million tons of rubber, 39 million tons of wool, and 26 million Terawatt hours of oil. Through calculations of the total colonial gains of the British Empire, the effect of colonization on the mother country and its influence on the modern world can be more easily and directly seen.

572. Growth rate comparisons for clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) isolates using nutrient-rich and -depleted broth stratified by inner colony production during fosfomycin (FOF) disk diffusion (DD) testing

Abstract Background Recent studies have indicated the presence of non-susceptible IC appearing within the zone of inhibition during FOF DD testing. Limited studies focusing on Escherichia coli have demonstrated that observed increases in resistance come with decreased isolate fitness. We sought to compare growth rates of susceptible KP non-IC-producers, IC-producers, and their non-susceptible IC (as determined by broth microdilution) in both nutrient-rich and -depleted broth to understand in vitro fitness differences. Methods Two isolates which had never produced IC (254, 275), two susceptible IC-producers (131, 209), and two corresponding resistant IC (131D, 209D) were included. Each isolate was grown in both full and ¼ strength Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) for 24 hours with samples taken at standard time intervals in two technical replicates, with duplicates performed on separate days. Using the generation time equation (Figure 1) for the logarithmic phase of growth, rates were calculated and compared across three groups: (1) individual parent and IC pairs, (2) non-IC producers and IC-producers, and (3) IC-producers and IC as a whole. Comparisons across the three groups in both nutrient-rich and -depleted conditions were completed using Student’s t-tests. Results Average generation time for each isolate in full and ¼ strength MHB are shown in Table 1. Difference in generation time in full-strength MHB for parent and IC pairs were [131/131D] 0.04 hours and [209/209D] 0.05 hours (Table 2). In ¼ strength MHB, difference in generation time for parent and IC pairs were [131/131D] 0.03 hours and [209/209D] 0.01 hours. Average growth rate difference between non-IC-producers and IC-producers was 0.05 hours and 0.01 in full- and ¼ strength, respectively. The average generation time difference between IC-producers and IC was < 0.01 hours and 0.01 in full- and ¼ strength, respectively. Conclusion Our data reveal no significant difference in growth rates between these KP isolate types which may signify no in vitro fitness differences for IC or IC-producers in both nutrient-rich and nutrient-depleted conditions. While the findings of this study are limited due to small sample size, they justify further investigation into the fitness of these isolate types through an in vivo mouse model and genetic testing. Disclosures Elizabeth B. Hirsch, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, Melinta: Honoraria|Merck: Grant/Research Support

First report of Fusarium wilt of Cavendish bananas caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 in the Grande Comoros Island.

Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by the soil-borne pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is a major constraint to banana production worldwide (Viljoen et al., 2020). Currently, Cavendish bananas are severely affected by Foc Tropical Race 4 (TR4) globally. In Africa, Foc TR4 was first detected in northern Mozambique in 2013 (Viljoen et al., 2020), and has since been found on the island of Mayotte in the Mozambique Channel off the coast of southeastern Africa (Aguayo et al., 2021). In early 2023, severe leaf-yellowing and wilting of Cavendish banana plants was observed on Cavendish banana plants at several small holder farmer properties in Grande Comoros (Ngazidja) including in Ntsinimoipanga (-11,790054 S, 43°25'47,04384 E), Batou (-11,499716 S, 43°21'51,71976''E), Madjeweni (-11,8217 S , 43°16'41''E) and Mdé (-11°41'54'' S, 43°15'20''E). When the pseudostems of these plants were split open, a reddish-brown internal discoloration of the vascular tissue became apparent. Discolored strands of diseased plants were collected, and the causal agent identified using DNA-based techniques, vegetative compatibility group (VCG) analysis and pathogenicity testing. The samples were plated onto potato dextrose agar and single-spored and isolated from individual diseased plants identified as F. oxysporum based on cultural and morphological characteristics. These include the production of white fungal colonies with a purple center, infrequent production of macroconidia, but an abundance of microconidia on short monophialides, and terminal or intercalary chlamydospores (Leslie and Summerell, 2006). Foc TR4 was identified from seven isolates by conventional (Dita et al., 2010) and quantitative-PCR (Matthews et al., 2020), and with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) (Ordóñez et al., 2021). All seven isolates were confirmed as members of the VCG 01213/16 complex when nit-1 mutants of the unknown Foc isolates were compatible with Nit-M mutants of the Foc VCG 01213 and VCG 01216 tester strains. Two isolates were then selected for pathogenicity testing, and 2-month-old tissue culture-derived Cavendish plants (cv. Williams) inoculated by using the method described by Ndayihanzamaso et al. (2022). After 4 weeks, the Foc TR4-inoculated plants produced wilting symptoms and internal rhizome discoloration typical of Fusarium wilt. Foc TR4 was reisolated from the inoculated plants and identified by qPCR (Matthews et al. 2020), thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. These results provide scientific proof of the presence of Foc TR4 in a second island in the Comoros archipelago. Comprehensive surveys will be conducted in all three of the Comoros Islands to assess the presence and impact of Foc TR4 to implement containment strategies. Collaborative initiatives and coordinated actions among growers and other stakeholders are needed to prevent the spread of Foc TR4 to more Southwest Indian Ocean islands and countries on the East African coasts. The importance of banana for food security and livelihoods, and the unique genetic diversity of bananas found on the Comoros islands, requires the eradication and isolation of diseased bananas on the short term, and the screening of local banana varieties for Foc TR4 resistance on the longer term.

Reduced to Brutish Nature: On Racism and the Law of Value

Abstract Following the work of Peter Schmitt-Egner, this article lays out a value-form theoretical approach to racism. During the debates within German Marxism on the reconstruction of the critique of political economy (Neue Marx-Lektüre), Schmitt-Egner developed a theory in the 1970s that tries to explain racism with reference to Marx’s analysis of the commodity form and circulation. Thereby he developed a highly original theoretical derivation of racism as an ideological reification of the debased position of colonised labour power in comparison with that of metropolitan workers. The bourgeois ideals of freedom and equality, constituted through commodity circulation, according to Schmitt-Egner, are modified by the nature of the colonial production process and thus negated in the case of the racialised worker. Even if his theory, as I am going to show, has some serious flaws, it helps to make sense of past and current patterns of racist inferiorisation.

Being (in)formed by indigenous voices: First steps to using graphic narratives to decolonise speculative fiction

The Greenlandic visual artist Nuka K. Godtfredsen and his literary and scientific collaborators have produced a series of four graphic narratives to represent distinct moments in Greenland's history, spanning the pre-colonised and colonial period. These narratives employ aspects of magic realism and adopt an approach to narrative that focuses on the supernatural and presents modes of being that contrast with their audiences' understanding of realities that are ordinarily (only) visible. I argue that these graphic narratives use strategies from speculative fiction that frame the modern European presence in Greenland and the narrative of colonialism as one of several multiple realities in the Arctic, rather than its central axis, leaving open the possibility for indigenous Greenlanders to speak on their own terms. This enables these graphic narratives to illuminate aspects of knowledge (including features of oral legend and supernatural encounters) that were previously discredited in colonial discourse. Furthermore, I show that attending to how embodied aspects of Greenlandic Inuit storytelling traditions can be captured in the graphic narrative medium may be an effective decolonial strategy, which could be employed by speculative fiction. I thus advocate methodologies for speculative fiction that strategically broaden its boundaries in order to address its intractable colonial legacy. Informed by approaches that focus attention on form - such as Marks's haptic visuality (2000) and visual theories of the power of hand-drawn comics (Groensteen 2010, Chute 2008) to engage the reader/viewer in both an embodied and reflective way - I assert that including graphic narratives which employ strategies of speculative fiction may present a unique opportunity for the genre to mount a powerful challenge to a colonial knowledge production.

Effects of ingested essential oils and propolis extracts on honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) health and gut microbiota.

Managed honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apis mellifera Linnaeus) hives require frequent human inputs to maintain colony health and productivity. A variety of plant natural products (PNPs) are delivered via feeding to control diseases and reduce the use of synthetic chemical treatments. However, despite their prevalent use in beekeeping, there is limited information regarding the impact of ingested PNPs on bee health. Here, we tested the effects of different essential oils and propolis extracts on honey bee life span, nutrient assimilation, xenobiotic detoxification, and gut microbiota abundance. Brazilian propolis extract lengthened worker life span, while the other PNPs (Louisiana propolis extract, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, and thyme oil) exerted variable and dose-dependent effects on life span. Vitellogenin (vg) gene expression was reduced by Brazilian propolis extract at high doses. Expression of CYP6AS1, a detoxification-related gene, was reduced by low doses of thyme oil. The abundances of 8 core gut microbiota taxa were largely unaffected by host consumption of PNPs. Our results suggest that in addition to propolis's structural and immunomodulatory roles in the colony, it may also exert beneficial health effects when ingested. Thyme oil, a commonly used hive treatment, was toxic at field-realistic dosages, and its use as a feed additive should be viewed with caution until its effects on bee health are more thoroughly investigated. We conclude that the tested propolis extracts, lemongrass oil, and spearmint oil are generally safe for bee consumption, with some apparent health-promoting effects.

Effects of pesticides on bee populations and safety of bee honey in Ukraine

To prevent pest contamination of crops, they are treated with plant defense agents, the action of which is aimed at the destruction or development and reproduction control of hazardous organisms. But also these chemical agents cause pollution of environmental ecosystems. Furthermore, the use of pesticides on honey bees often leads to mass mortality of the bees and contamination of nectar and pollen. Honey, made by the bees of such nectar, may contain pesticide residues that are toxic to a bee brood and harm the viability and productivity of bee colonies. One hundred seventy-two samples of bee honey and 40 samples of dead bees were studied from different regions of Ukraine. Eight hundred thirty-seven bee colonies died from pesticide poisoning of the honey bees in 2021. The bees most died due to thiamethoxam (523 bee colonies), clothianidin 400 (bee colonies), and lambda-cyhalothrin (342 bee colonies). In 2022, the poisoning of the honey bees, from which 1,130 bee colonies died, was caused by seven insecticides. Lambda-cyhalothrin (653 bee colonies), thiamethoxam (352 bee colonies), imidacloprid (342 bee colonies), clothianidin (325 bee colonies), and acetamiprid (320 bee colonies) were most frequently detected. 11 insecticides, 11 fungicides and 2 each of acaricides and herbicides were found in the honey. There were 425 detection cases of insecticides, 285 fungicides, 8 acaricides, and 3 herbicides. In 2021-2022, 16 insecticides of the 3rd toxicity class were found in the dead bees.

Examining spatial and temporal drivers of pollinator nutritional resources: evidence from five decades of honey bee colony productivity data

Pollinators are an essential component of terrestrial food webs and agricultural systems but are threatened by insufficient access to floral resources. Managed honey bees, as generalist foragers that hoard nectar as honey, can act as bioindicators of floral resources available to pollinators in a given landscape through their accumulation of honey. Honey yields across the United States have decreased appreciably since the 1990s, concurrent with shifts in climate, land-use, and large-scale pesticide application. While many factors can affect honey accumulation, this suggests that anthropogenic stressors may be having large-scale impacts on the floral resources that pollinators depend on for their nutrition. We used hierarchical partitioning on five decades of state-level data to parse the most important environmental factors and likely mechanisms associated with spatial and temporal variation in honey yields across the US. Climatic conditions and soil productivity were among the most important variables for estimating honey yields, with states in warm or cool regions with productive soils having the highest honey yields per colony. These findings suggest that foundational factors constrain pollinator habitat suitability and define ecoregions of low or high honey production. The most important temporally varying factors were change in herbicide use, land use (i.e. increase in intensive agriculture and reduction in land conservation programs that support pollinators) and annual weather anomalies. This study provides insights into the interplay between broad abiotic conditions and fine temporal variation on habitat suitability for honey bees and other pollinators. Our results also provide a baseline for investigating how these factors influence floral resource availability, which is essential to developing strategies for resilient plant–pollinator communities in the face of global change.

The impact of housing on birth outcomes in breeding macaque groups across multiple research centers.

Demand for nonhuman primates in research has increased over the past several years, while nonhuman primate supply remains a challenge in the United States. Global nonhuman primate supply issues make it increasingly important to maximize domestic colony production. To explore how housing conditions across primate breeding colonies impact infant survival and animal production more broadly, we collected medical records from 7959 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and 492 pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) across seven breeding facilities and used generalized mixed-effect modeling to determine prenatal and infant survival odds by housing type and group size. Infant survival odds for each housing type and group size varied for prenatal, neonatal, early infant, and late infant age groups. Odds of prenatal survival were lowest in paired indoor housing and small and medium outdoor groups. No housing type performed better than large outdoor groups for neonatal survival. Odds of early infant survival was greatest in indoor and mixed indoor/outdoor housing compared to large outdoor enclosures. Large outdoor housing was associated with higher survival odds for late infant survival compared to small and medium outdoor housing. These results may influence housing choices at macaque breeding facilities hoping to maximize infant success, although there are relative care costs, the promotion of species-typical behaviors, and infrastructure factors to also consider. Our study used an interinstitutional collaboration that allowed for the analysis of more infant macaque medical records than ever before and used the broad variations across the seven national primate research centers to make the results applicable to many other facilities housing macaques.

ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMICALLY USEFUL TRAITS OF BEE BREED IN THE SOUTHERN OF KAZAKHSTAN

Uncontrolled import of bee colonies leads to the metisation of bred breeds in our country. Breed testing of bees involves identifying the most promising breeds not only for the use of various sources of bribes, but also for accelerated development and increase in the number of families, and of course pollination of crops. To prevent the metisation of bees, researchers periodically monitor the breed composition and economically useful signs. It has been established that the growth rate of a bee family characterizes its winter hardiness and directly affects productivity. Based on this feature, queen bees with the highest egg production should be selected for breeding. More dynamic egg laying is observed in IE "Demidov" of the steppe zone averaged 919.6 pieces, and in IE "Gostinin" of the steppe zone, the egg production of queens is less by 2 pieces. The foothill and mountain zone lags behind the steppe zone by 14.6 eggs. The productivity of bee colonies also depends on the number of migrations to flowering honey plants. For example, when comparing the average honey productivity and wax productivity, variability is observed between stationary and nomadic content.

Left in the dark: Colonial racial capitalism and solar energy transitions in India

India is globally renowned as a burgeoning solar energy superpower. Solar park development is occurring in the Indian context of an ascendant Hindu nationalism (Hindutva) that is violent and oppressive to minority populations, particularly against Muslims and Dalits. Yet it remains unclear how Hindutva influences solar-related land politics and resource access. Utilizing original data from extensive mixed methods fieldwork to examine the case studies of the Bhadla Solar Park and the Fatehgarh Solar Park in Rajasthan, we document a clear pattern of dispossessionary forces driving solar development, compounding the harms of climate coloniality. Drawing on literature from political ecology and racial capitalism, we ask the following research questions: 1) How do distribution conflicts arising from uneven solar development vary between projects?; 2) To what extent does solar park development perpetuate colonial production relations and the racialized dispossession of local populations? Solar park development in Rajasthan has not translated into the upliftment or empowerment of marginalized peasants struggling with energy poverty. On the contrary, solar coloniality is perpetuating and compounding the harms of climate coloniality, mitigating carbon emissions through the landed extraction of photons and the erasure of racialized peasants. Hindutva influences solar development in ways that reproduce marginality and vulnerability of racialized groups burdened by the dispossession of land and resources for solar park development for the benefit of domestic and international firms. Emancipatory and redistributive solar interventions are vital for ensuring the survival of those left in the dark within sustainable sacrifice zones by dispossessionary and destructive energy transitions.