A novel bio-pesticide created using spider venom and a plant protein has been found to be safe for honeybees - despite being highly toxic to a number of key insect pest. New research, led by Newcastle University, has tested the insect-specific Hv1a/GNA fusion protein bio-pesticide – a combination of a natural toxin from the venom of an Australian funnel web spider and snowdrop lectin. Feeding acute and chronic doses to honeybees - beyond the levels they would ever experience in the field - the team found it had only a very slight effect on the bees’ survival and no measurable effect at all on their learning and memory. Professor Angharad Gatehouse, one of the supervisors on the project, said: "Our findings suggest that Hv1a/GNA is unlikely to cause any detrimental effects on honeybees. "Previous studies have already shown that it is safe for higher animals, which means it has real potential as a pesticide and offers us a safe alternative to some of those currently on the market." Publishing their findings in the academic journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the authors say the insect-specific compound has huge potential as an environmentally-benign, ‘bee-safe’ bio-pesticide and an alternative to the chemical neonicotinoid pesticides which have been linked to declines in pollinator populations. Honeybees perform sophisticated behaviours while foraging that require them to learn and remember floral traits associated with food. Disruption to this important function has profound implications for honeybee colony survival, because bees that cannot learn will not be able to find food and return to their hives.
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Kris Baker replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Thanks Vic, Yes, definitely been swayed by your previous review. I wonder if the V3 Elephant and the new Henchman have narrowed the gap.
I could import from USA ... but I want one "tomorrow" - I'm well past retirement age and have found manhandling…"
21 minutes ago
Kris Baker replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Thanks. I have done a bit more research.
Can't seem to find the Easy Lift - their website lists 3 dealers in EU, one dead links and for the other two I can't find the product on their website. Doesn't bode well ... and seems that Henchman have given…"
24 minutes ago
Vic 575 replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Hi Kris,
No doubt you will have seen my previous contributions extolling the virtues of the Easy Lift Harness. I’ve had mine for many years now [10 to 15 years maybe]. Quite simply it is a life changing device. Why every professional Gardener does…"
56 minutes ago
Geoffrey King replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"Hello Lee, i do this sort of work, in 2014 I raised my base hourly rate to £30/hr. 1.5hr @45 2hr @60 & 3hr @80 then @85 then @87.50
Last year 3hrs @95 for new customers, they said that was very reasonable this is Ryedale, North Yorks
Have charged…"
1 hour ago
Stephen r Brook-Smith replied to Stephen r Brook-Smith's discussion Please help , what is eating my lily’s!!!??
"A quick update folks , just incase anyone else comes across this problem 
it was bloody slugs!!!! "
3 hours ago
Andrew Drummond updated their profile
11 hours ago
A. Latta posted a discussion
Hi all, does anyone have advice (product recommendations) on how to keep large parking areas (gravel and or block paving areas) free of weeds without spending a small fortune on 'path clear' and suchlike?Thank you in advance 
11 hours ago
Ben Carter replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"Hi lee. 
As others have said price per job and hourly rate in your head.  You have to bear in mind equipment loading, travelling and equipment servicing which clients don't see.  
£25 is not unreasonable."
12 hours ago
Dave Colton replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"I use the elephant trunk and it works fine even on very heavy hedge trimmers. Not cheap but worth the money if you have a long run of cutting to do."
12 hours ago
Kris Baker posted a discussion
I would like advice on a harness please.Looking at past threads the Easy Lift seemed to be the favourite. Henchman used to sell it (Google still links to the Henchman page, but there isn't anything there any more)I can't find any other UK…
13 hours ago
Lee Davis replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"Hmm thank you very much (and others who have commented).  Clearly need to rethink how I do things. I suppose I was trying to be transparent, but now they all trust me and know that I do a good job it's a bit different to when I first started. "
15 hours ago
Vic 575 replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"As stated above, price per job and definitely not an hourly rate. Any hourly rate is only kept in your own head [and never shared with the client] in order for you to calculate the price for the job.
Price per job is far better for the client. It…"
16 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"All our work both domestic and commercial is price and has been since starting 40 years ago and is all regular maintenance
We work out the time needed per visit to do the work requested and then multiply by our charge eg one visit of one hour per…"
16 hours ago
Peter sellers replied to Lee Davis's discussion New mower time!
"There"s 3 settings it was probably on lowest"
16 hours ago
Vic 575 replied to Lee Davis's discussion New mower time!
"Just unleaded.
The v-twin 18hp engine on my Stiga Parks 740 Pwx has just 'gone'.
 It is compressing into the sump and blowing oil out as white fog from the sump breather. I look like one of the red arrows or Wesley Pegden. Not good breathing it…"
16 hours ago
Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Gadgets that were surprisingly useful: catcher on hedge trimmer
"Bought one of those myself a year or so back for my HSA86    Really handy for doing tops and you can add/remove it in seconds..................... never bothered with the metal clips..... not sure why we even need them as it works fine without…"
17 hours ago
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