Monthly Archives: July 2026

Congratulations to Tianqi Zhu (MRes EEC), whose masters project, building on research funded by the CB Dennis Trust, British Beekeepers’ Association, and Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd, has now been published in Royal Society Open Science. The study builds on previous findings that near-infrared (NIR) light exposure can improve bee health by investigating whether NIR can help counteract the negative effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bumblebee thermoregulation. The results show that pesticide exposure substantially reduces bees’ ability to maintain body temperature, while specific NIR treatments may partially mitigate these impacts, highlighting a promising avenue for future research into protecting pollinators from environmental stressors.

Congratulations to Adam Bourne (MSc EA) and Katerina Elger (MSc EEC), former Master’s students in the lab, on the acceptance of their paper investigating how nutritional supplementation influences Nosema infections in honey bees. The study found that dietary supplements increased both parasite loads and mortality in infected bees, demonstrating that nutritional interventions can sometimes unintentionally benefit pathogens. We are delighted to see this MSc research develop into a published study and congratulate Adam and Katerina on this achievement.

Feeding the disease: The impact of nutritional supplementation on Nosema (Vairimorpha) infection in honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Raquel is doing an MSc in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation (EEC) 2025/26, and is working in the lab exploring the impact of toxins on whole bumblebee colonies

Last week Charlotte was in attendance at the Evolution x Ecology 2026 Conference in sunny Cornwall. In addition to taking part in workshops/discussions, Charlotte presented some of her PhD findings on Holobiont Responses to Chemical Contaminant Stress. Since returning, charlotte has discussed the conference freebies, singing sea shanties, and informing the lab about various animal poo microbiomes.