S. A. Rands

Variations of floral temperature in changing weather conditions

This study investigates how floral temperature and temperature patterns of four plant species change with weather conditions and finds that light conditions have the greatest influence on floral temperature.

Video-recorded measures of blinking differ with group size in red deer Cervus elaphus and fallow deer Dama dama

The paper examines blinking rates in red deer and fallow deer, finding that blink rate decreases with group size, suggesting blinking is linked to social vigilance rather than anti-predator vigilance.

The behavioural responses of bumblebees Bombus terrestris in response to simulated rain

This study examines how bumblebees adjust their behavior in response to simulated rain, finding that they reduce foraging and increase resting during rain, with social cues influencing their behavioral decisions.

The cuticular wax compositions and crystal coverage of leaves and petals differ in a consistent manner between plant species

The paper compares cuticular wax composition and crystal coverage between leaves and petals across 49 plant species, finding significant differences in wax load, alkane proportion, and chain-lengths.

Red deer Cervus elaphus blink more in larger groups

The paper shows that red deer blink more in larger groups, indicating reduced vigilance and supporting the idea that blinking is a reliable measure of vigilance.

Personality variation is eroded by simple social behaviours in collective foragers

The paper shows that social interactions can reduce individual personality differences in foraging groups by altering group movement patterns.

The ability of bumblebees Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to detect floral humidity is dependent upon environmental humidity

This study shows bumblebees can detect floral humidity but only learn humid flowers in low humidity environments, suggesting floral humidity is a useful signal in arid conditions.

The role of petal transpiration in floral humidity generation

The paper tests the role of transpiration in floral humidity generation in two species, finding it contributes significantly and varies between species.

Bumblebees can detect floral humidity

This study shows bumblebees prefer flowers with higher humidity and can learn to distinguish between humid and non-humid flowers.

Neonicotinoids disrupt memory, circadian behaviour and sleep

This study tests the effects of neonicotinoids on Drosophila memory, circadian rhythms, and sleep, finding that banned neonicotinoids disrupt these functions more severely than an unbanned one.

The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid disrupts bumblebee foraging rhythms and sleep

This study shows that imidacloprid exposure disrupts foraging rhythms and sleep in bumblebees, potentially harming pollination and colony growth.