Bees – from evolution to artificial intelligence

Does a bee’s gut influence its sociability? Can a plant deter pests and attract pollinators at the same time? And with bee populations under threat, can artificial intelligence keep colonies safe? The EU estimates pollinators such as honeybees contribute at least EUR 22 billion each year to the European agricultural industry. They are so important that the United Nations has designated the 20th of May as World Bee Day, so this episode of CORDIScovery looks at bees!

Food and Natural Resources

Fundamental Research

Google Podcasts Spotify EC Audiovisual Service Podcasts Apple Podcasts

Insights and ideas

Bees, which ensure pollination for over 80 % of crops and wild plants in Europe, are under threat from climate change, pests, chemical fertilisers and habitat loss. One in 10 bee and butterfly species in Europe are on the verge of extinction and one third of them are in decline. Clearly a better understanding of the way bees interact with their environments is needed and this episode’s three guests are ideally placed to provide some insight.

Can we bring our technological know-how to the rescue by using artificial intelligence to make hives more resilient?

The word ‘microbiome’ has filtered through into our everyday lives: the notion of intestinal diversity and gut health is something that is used widely, to sell food supplements and get us eating sauerkraut. But what about bees? Does their microbiome impact on their brains and the way they process their environments?

And what about the plant’s ‘perspective’? How have plants evolved to invite some insects and deter others? Do leaf-chewing insects influence the evolution of flowers and the messages they send to pollinators?

Hallel Schreier is co-founder and head of research at BeeWise, the company behind BeeHome. By focusing on the intersection of software, artificial intelligence, hardware and biology, Hallel is helping to bring beehives to the 21st century.

Stuart Campbell leads a research laboratory at the University of Sheffield, in the area of chemical ecology and evolution of insect-plant interactions. He coordinated the DEFPOLL project.

An evolutionary molecular ecologist based at the University of Lausanne, Joanito Liberti is interested in understanding how social interactions are shaped by natural selection. Joanito ran the BRAIN project which considered the gut/brain axis in honeybees.

Happy to hear from you!

If you have any feedback, we’re always happy to hear from you! Send us any comments, questions or suggestions (but hopefully never a complaint!) to the usual email address, [e-mail].

Keywords

CORDIScovery, CORDIS, BeeHome, DEFPOLL, BRAIN, bees, World Bee Day, honeybee, beehive, hives, pollinators, microbiome