Wild bee declines have been ascribed in part to neonicotinoid insecticides. While short-term laboratory studies on commercially bred species (principally honeybees and bumblebees) have identified sub-lethal effects, there is no strong evidence linking these insecticides to losses of the majority of wild bee species. We relate 18 years of UK national wild bee distribution data for 62 species to ...

A new species of leafcutter bee, Megachile (Megachiloides) chomskyi, is described from Texas, United States. Megachile chomskyi is one of the four known species of the oenotherae species group of Megachiloides, all members sharing the long tongue, and is most similar to Megachile (Megachiloides) amica Cresson. Like other members of the oenotherae species group, this species probably shows oligo...

The aim of this study was to find out where bumble bee queens place their nests in the agricultural landscape. Nest-seeking behaviour was used to indicate nesting site preferences. Four types of agricultural landscape were investigated near Uppsala, Sweden: open, relatively open, relatively wooded and wooded. Twelve 500-metre-long transects, each including several intermingled habitats (e.g., f...

The venom of the European honey bee Apis mellifera is an intricate mixture of chemical compositions, including proteins, peptides, enzymes, and other small molecules. Lately, there has been growing interest in the use of melittin, due to its wide range of biological and potential therapeutic applications. Melittin, which is considered to be an antimicrobial, antitumor, and antiinflammatory pept...

We have shown previously that neurotoxic venom secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) have specific receptors in brain membranes called N-type receptors that are likely to play a role in the molecular events leading to neurotoxicity of these proteins. The sPLA2 found in honey bee venom is neurotoxic and binds to this receptor with high affinity. In this paper, we have used a number of mutants of ...

Introduction: In diabetes therapy, a great attention is paid on lowering blood glucose levels and lipid regulating mechanisms of various medical agents including animal toxins. Honey bee venom reduces blood glucose level through increased insulin secretion and glucose take-up. It also has lipid regulating activity verified in several other studies. For that reason, bee venom could be considered...

Cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis, is considered one of the most common arthropod pests that contribute to crop devastation cotton. Previously, agricultural were controlled through application chemical insecticides. However, insecticide-resistant insect populations emergence, as well increasing concerns about environmental and human health risks. Venomous animals introduce valuable source...

Animal venoms are a cocktail of proteins and peptides, targeting vital physiological processes. Venoms have evolved to assist in the capture and digestion of prey. Key venom components often include neurotoxins, myotoxins, cardiotoxins, hematoxins and catalytic enzymes. The pharmacological activities of venom components have been investigated as a source of potential therapeutic agents. Interes...

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze current evidence regarding allergy to Hymenoptera venoms. Brief review: The Hymenoptera species, which are most important in the context of venom allergy, include the common wasp (Vespula vulgaris), German wasp (Vespula germanica), and the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Depending on the population, systemic allergic reactions occur in 1.5–8.9% of cas...