The Beekeeper’s Companion Since 1861
American Bee Journal Volume 166 No. 2 February 2026 Cover Callouts: The Tremble Dance: A Hidden Language - 153, honey bees search for sodium - 193, iNaturlaist on the Apiary -147

The Appearance of Bees to Each Other (Conspecifics) in ULtraviolet Light: Classified Project UV 365 Revealed Part 2

FIG 1. A worker honey bee with asymmetric compound eyes (one eye small), most likely from a developmental disorder.
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 …

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February

Photo 1: On early flowering plant is the crocus, with a busy bee at work. Image shows a purple crocus surrounded by brown leaves and a stick with a honey bee on one flower.
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 …

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Letters to the Editor – February 2025

Lynnae Kellett Photo: Honey bee, seen from the side, returning to the hive. One of the hind legs is covered in a ball or orange pollen.
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 …

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WSDA, 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 …

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HONEY 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. …

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Contents – 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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ABJ FEBRUARY 2025 COVER

American Bee Journal Vol 165, No. 2 February 2025 Cover Callouts: Understanding honeybee castes - 171, Build a groovy shim for winter feeding - 183, How bee look to each other - 191
Posted February 1, 2025

ABJ FEBRUARY 2025 COVER

A long road: Springtime seems a long road ahead for much of the country. But on warm days, your bees are already out searching for early-blooming maples, elms and other pollen sources that will jump-start brood rearing for the coming season. Our cover photo was taken in January 2022 by Cheryl Burkhead of Berryton, Kansas.

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Ten Mini-lectures on Honey Bee Biology

Posted January 1, 2025

Ten Mini-lectures on Honey Bee Biology

It happens all the time Yes, it does frequently happen that you or I are asked to give a short overview of some aspect of honey bee biology or behavior. Maybe I’m sitting by a stranger on a plane flight. Maybe someone at church remarks that you’re the bee guy and then a question ensues …

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Looking to the Future

Posted January 1, 2025

Looking to the Future

Bee classes are filling up and the new year is beginning. Those going into beekeeping for the first time are expecting some form of pleasure with eager questions for information. One can see it in their actions and faces. As the above weather map of the United States in January shows, there is not much …

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Managing Tropilaelaps via cultural and chemical controls

Posted January 1, 2025

Managing Tropilaelaps via cultural and chemical controls

Pretty much every beekeeper in my orbit is asking me about Tropilaelaps mercedesae (from here forward called Tropilaelaps; see Photo 1). In fact, as I sit down to write this month’s column, outgoing American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) president Dan Winter just left the Dyce Lab and Tropilaelaps was a big part of our conversation for …

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