Air pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees

Press/Media: Press / Media

Description

Our new research has shown that common air pollutants from both urban and rural environments may be reducing the pollinating abilities of insects by preventing them from sniffing out the crops and wildflowers that depend on them.  The associated media contributions and coverage include e.g. a dedicated New Scientist feature.

Period19 Jan 2022 → 1 Mar 2022

Media coverage

9

Media coverage

  • TitleEl devastador efecto que está teniendo la polución en las abejas
    Media name/outletEl Espectatdor
    Country/TerritoryColombia
    Date1/03/22
    DescriptionLa contaminación producida por automóviles está produciendo graves consecuencias en los polinizadores como abejas, mariposas y polillas.
    Producer/AuthorAleida Rueda
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleAir pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletUniversity of Birmingham
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date21/01/22
    DescriptionCommon air pollutants from both urban and rural environments may be reducing the pollinating abilities of insects by preventing them from sniffing out the crops and wildflowers that depend on them, new research has shown.
    Producer/AuthorBeck Lockwood
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleAir pollution interferes with pollination
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletCosmos Magazine
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date20/01/22
    DescriptionButterflies and bees may be confused by common air pollutants, study shows.
    Producer/AuthorLauren Fuge
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitlePolluted Air Keeps Butterflies, Bees From Pollinating: Study
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletUS News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    Date20/01/22
    DescriptionAs air pollution worsens, fruits, flowers and the creatures that pollinate them could pay a price.
    Producer/AuthorRobert Preidt
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleDoor luchtvervuiling vinden bijen en vlinders bloemen minder aantrekkelijk
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletRTL Nieuws
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryNetherlands
    Date20/01/22
    DescriptionLuchtvervuiling zorgt ervoor dat vlinders en bijen in de war raken. Uit een nieuw onderzoek blijkt namelijk dat de vervuilende stoffen in de lucht ervoor zorgen dat de geur van bloemen verandert. Hierdoor kunnen bijen en vlinders ze minder goed vinden en bestuiving.
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • Title Air pollution significantly impairs pollination because diesel fumes confuse insects and leave them unable to sniff out the plants they feed on, study finds
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletDaily Mail
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/01/22
    DescriptionUniversity of Reading experts released NOx and ozone around black mustard
    They then observed how this impacted the flowering plant's pollination rates
    The pollutants led to up to a 90 per cent reduction in individual flower visits
    And, overall, pollination success appeared to be reduced by up to 31 percent
    The findings could have significant impacts for agricultural food production
    Producer/AuthorIan Randall
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleAir pollution makes it harder for pollinators to find plants
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletNew Scientist
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/01/22
    DescriptionA field trial found that levels of nitrogen oxides and ozone similar to those near roads led to a 70 per cent drop in the numbers of bees and butterflies on mustard plants

    Producer/AuthorAdam Vaughan
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleThere are up to 70% fewer pollinator visits in areas with high air pollution
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletAir Quality News
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/01/22
    DescriptionCommon air pollutants may be reducing the pollinating abilities of insects by preventing them from sniffing out crops and wildflowers, new research has shown.
    Producer/AuthorPippa Neill
    PersonsChristian Pfrang
  • TitleBees And Butterflies Confused By Exhaust Fumes, Study Finds
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletForbes
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date19/01/22
    DescriptionThe ability of some insects to sniff out the flowers and crops they feed on is being severely impaired by air pollution, according to new research.
    Producer/AuthorJamie Hailstone
    PersonsChristian Pfrang