High‐performance thin‐layer chromatography (HPTLC) combined with image analysis and pattern recognition methods were used for fingerprinting and classification of 52 propolis samples collected from Serbia and one sample from Croatia. Modern thin‐layer chromatography equipment in combination with software for image processing and warping was applied for fingerprinting and data acquisition. The three mostly used chemometric techniques for classification, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and partial least square‐discriminant analysis, in combination with simple and fast HPTLC method for fingerprint analysis of propolis, were performed in order to favor and encourage their use in planar chromatography. HPTLC fingerprint analysis of propolis was for the first time performed on amino silica plates. All studied propolis samples have been classified in two major types, orange and blue, supporting the idea of existence of two types of European propolis. Signals at specific RF values responsible for classification of studied extracts have also been isolated and underlying compounds targeted for further investigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Using cultivation-dependant method, we isolated 184 strains from fresh and old bee bread, pollen, larvae and adults of solitary bee Osmia cornuta. The 16S rDNA sequencing of 79 selected isolates gave the final species-specific identification of strains. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that microbiota isolated from five different sources were represented with 29 species within three different phyla, Firmicutes with 25 species, Actinobacteria with only one species and Proteobacteria with three species of Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial biodiversity presented with Shannon-Wiener index (H') was highest in the alimentary tract of adults and old bee bread (H' = 2.43 and H' = 2.53, respectively) and in the same time no dominance of any species was scored. On the contrary, results obtained for Simpson index (D) showed that in pollen samples the dominant species was Pantoea agglomerans (D = 0.42) while in fresh bee bread that was Staphylococcus sp. (D = 0.27). We assume that microbial diversity detected in the tested samples of solitary bee O. cornuta probably come from environment.

Honeybees are great bioindicators because they cover wide areas during their foraging activity. Our study included industrial, urban and rural region, where samples were taken in July and September. Industrial region with three apiaries in the area covered two thermal power plants, Kostolac A and B. Two apiaries covered a wide urban region of Belgrade, and the rural region consisting of mainly agricultural-woodland area near village Mesić was covered with one apiary. Aim of this study was to investigate the capability of bees as bioindicators to detect different concentrations of metals in foraging regions, during two sampling periods, and to compare concentrations of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn found in their bodies. Significant differences were detected for Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, and Ni between at least two analyzed regions. Significant differences in concentrations between sampling dates were found for Al, Ba, Co, Cr and Fe in at least one of the locations. For Cd, Mn, Na, Pb, Sr and Zn, no significant differences were found between locations or sampling dates, suggesting equal and stable levels of concentration for these elements in the environment.

1. Pollination by insects is a key input into many crops, with managed honeybees often being hired to support pollination services. Despite substantial research into pollination management, no European studies have yet explored how and why farmers managed pollination services and few have explored why beekeepers use certain crops.2. Using paired surveys of beekeepers and farmers in 10 European countries, this study examines beekeeper and farmer perceptions and motivations surrounding crop pollination.3. Almost half of the farmers surveyed believed they had pollination service deficits in one or more of their crops. 4. Less than a third of farmers hired managed pollinators; however, most undertook at least one form of agri-environment management known to benefit pollinators, although few did so to promote pollinators. 5. Beekeepers were ambivalent towards many mass-flowering crops, with some beekeepers using crops for their honey that other beekeepers avoid because of perceived pesticide risks.6. The findings highlight a number of largely overlooked knowledge gaps that will affect knowledge exchange and co-operation between the two groups. | 563 People and Nature BREEZE Et al. S U PP O RTI N G I N FO R M ATI O N Additional supporting information may be found online in the Supporting Information section at the end of the article. How to cite this article: Breeze TD, Boreux V, Cole L, et al. Linking farmer and beekeeper preferences with ecological knowledge to improve crop pollination. People Nat.