The Classroom – February 2025
Posted February 1, 2025
The Classroom – February 2025
Drone brood lead to more Varroa I have a question regarding the consequences of your answer regarding flooding an area with drones (December 2024 Classroom). Letting the drone brood, especially multiple generations of drone brood, hatch will very negatively affect a colony’s Varroa population. How would you recommend countering this issue? I was trying to …
Read MoreThe Curious Case of Honey Bee Castes
Posted February 1, 2025
The Curious Case of Honey Bee Castes
Entomology 101 was required for my agronomy degree. On the first day of class, encircled with posters of drosophila, moths, and beetles, I recoiled at the scent of old wooden desks — outfitted with inkwells and graffiti — and the chemical odor of bugs lying dead in cottony beds. Although I grew up around honey …
Read MoreFrigid Honey: How do wintering bees eat it?
Posted February 1, 2025
Frigid Honey: How do wintering bees eat it?
Consuming cold honey Honey bee colonies — anywhere in the world — require some way to store food products for lean times. Such foodless periods occur in all climates. While stores are required anytime there is a dearth, the Queen Mother of all dearths is a long, hard, cold winter. After reading the simplest of …
Read MoreThe Appearance of Bees to Each Other (Conspecifics) in ULtraviolet Light: Classified Project UV 365 Revealed Part 2
Posted February 1, 2025
The Appearance of Bees to Each Other (Conspecifics) in ULtraviolet Light: Classified Project UV 365 Revealed Part 2
The previous article began with a private conversation between Amaron and the Girl, who are both “part bees,” meaning they can perceive the world like bees. Taking a break from their apiary work, the two discussed a curious bee flight. A few dozen bees at a time flew to the Girl while She rested on …
Read MoreFebruary
Posted February 1, 2025
February
Many of us have cabin fever during February. As beekeepers we must be patient and let the bees determine our course of action. Honey bees have a definite cycle of development. Figure 1 indicates that bee populations are at their lowest level during the winter season. Population growth increases from that point through mid-summer (June …
Read MoreLetters to the Editor – February 2025
Posted February 1, 2025
Letters to the Editor – February 2025
Gathering Pollen in December Hi! I was requested by my mentor to send the Journal this photo of one of my girls coming back with bright orange pollen on December 4, 2024. I have this hive near Wooldridge, MO. I’m a first-year beekeeper and wasn’t sure what kind of pollen it could be, but several …
Read MoreWSDA, USDA ANNOUNCE ERADICATION OF NORTHERN GIANT HORNET FROM THE UNITED STATES
Posted February 1, 2025
WSDA, USDA ANNOUNCE ERADICATION OF NORTHERN GIANT HORNET FROM THE UNITED STATES
OLYMPIA – After three years without confirmed detections, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared the northern giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia, formerly known as Asian giant hornet) eradicated from Washington and the United States. “We’re pleased to announce the eradication of the northern giant hornet …
Read MoreHONEY BEE HEALTH COALITION RELEASES TIPS FOR BEEKEEPERS ON NAVIGATING THE H-2A SEASONAL WORKER PROGRAM
Posted February 1, 2025
HONEY BEE HEALTH COALITION RELEASES TIPS FOR BEEKEEPERS ON NAVIGATING THE H-2A SEASONAL WORKER PROGRAM
The Honey Bee Health Coalition (HBHC) has published a new resource to help beekeepers understand and successfully navigate the H-2A process for securing seasonal workers. The two-page guide, titled “Tips for Getting the H-2A Process Started Right,” provides clear, actionable steps for beekeepers to meet labor needs while remaining in compliance with H-2A program requirements. …
Read MoreContents – February 2025
Posted February 1, 2025
Contents – February 2025
Picture This: Bee Blessing Boys! Residential youth ministry teaches beekeeping and photography Steve “Mac” McNair – 153 The U.S. is Monitoring for Tropilaelaps. Why isn’t Canada? Alison McAfee – 157 A History of the Discoveries About the Sexuality of the Honey Bee – Part 4 Frédéric Eggers de Villepin – 161 Common is the New …
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