Bees' ability to forage decreases as air pollution increases

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/ps-bat070616.php

Public Release: 6-Jul-2016
Bees' ability to forage decreases as air pollution increases
Penn State

Air pollutants interact with and break down plant-emitted scent molecules, which insect pollinators use to locate needed food, according to a team of researchers led by Penn State. The pollution-modified plant odors can confuse bees and, as a result, bees' foraging time increases and pollination efficiency decreases. This happens because the chemical interactions decrease both the scent molecules' life spans and the distances they travel.

•••••