Back Yard Beekeepers Association Announces Paula Wolf Speaking about Honey Bee Pests Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in Weston CT
The Back Yard Beekeepers Association (BYBA) in Connecticut is proud to present speaker Paula Wolf on September 30. Paula is the CT State Apiary Inspector & BYBA Vice President and an authority on keeping hives healthy all year round. This meeting is in person and our speaker will be joining us IN-PERSON. Please join us at 7 PM to allow time to socialize and chat with other members of the club. Our speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 PM.
The location is Norfield Congregational Church located at 64 Norfield Rd in Weston, CT. Even though the event is free, please register at https://backyardbeekeepers.com.
Paula will discuss two serious invasive threats that could impact beekeeping in our region: the Yellow-Legged Hornet (Vespa velutina) and the Tropilaelaps mite (Tropilaelaps spp.).
These pests are not yet established in most parts of the United States, but recent detections have raised alarms in the beekeeping and agricultural communities. The Yellow-Legged Hornet is a highly aggressive predator of honey bees and poses a significant risk to colony health and local pollination systems. Meanwhile, Tropilaelaps mites—though currently absent from North America—are even more damaging than Varroa mites in regions where they are established, due to their rapid reproduction and destructive effects on brood.
Paula will provide an overview of the biology, identification, and behavior of these pests, how they spread, and what beekeepers can do to help with early detection and prevention. Attendees will learn how to monitor their colonies, report sightings, and stay informed about ongoing surveillance and regulatory efforts.
This talk is essential for all beekeepers who want to stay proactive and informed in protecting their hives from emerging invasive threats.
There is not an option for participants to join virtually. If you are unable to join us, club members will be able to view this and past monthly meeting recordings in the Members Only portion of the website under BYBA Presentations.
Questions? Contact BYBA’s Paula Wolf at paulawolf@email.com.
The Back Yard Beekeepers Association (BYBA) is one of the Nation’s largest regional clubs for beekeeping hobbyists with over 400 members. Some of their members are just getting started as beekeepers, and some have enjoyed this hobby for years. All share an interest in the wonderful and remarkable world of the honey bee. The mission of BYBA is to provide their membership with a forum for sharing knowledge and mutual interests in beekeeping, and to educate and promote the benefits of beekeeping to the public. For more information, please visit backyardbeekeepers.com.
Photo of the speaker, Paula Wolf, supplied by the speaker herself.
