In Summer Heat, Bees Need Water: Some Tips on Providing It and How a Colony Collects and Distributes It

Posted July 1, 2016

In Summer Heat, Bees Need Water: Some Tips on Providing It and How a Colony Collects and Distributes It

The heat of summer brings a dire necessity. The bees need water to cool their hives. Where will they get it and what is the bee biology behind water collection? Those are the subjects for this article. Bees desperate for water will get it from unlikely places. For example, in 1878 during a hot dry …

Posted July 1, 2016

Tissues and Organs in the Superorganism

Back in March I described a superorganism as a group of individuals that together “does the kinds of things that only organisms do,” and I continued in that issue to describe one of those organism-like things – possession of a “brain” – that is, the capacity for group decision-making. Further back in November 2015 I …

Posted July 1, 2016

Biotic Stressors of Honey Bee Colonies

One of the realities of beekeeping is that honey bees and their colonies are under constant attack from a number of biotic (living) stressors. These include bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites, other insects, spiders, birds, reptiles/amphibians, and mammals. As a result, beekeepers spend considerable time inspecting colonies for and remedying problems related to biotic stressors. State …

Duct tape between the 1/2 telescoping cover and the super to keep rain out.

Posted July 1, 2016

Native Pollinators, Making Nucleus Colonies, Etc.

One thing that always induces a chuckle for me is when people say we need to rely on native pollinators. Folks seem so ready to point out that honey bees are not native to North America. Oranges are not native to North America. Apples, pears, peaches, most plums, apricots, almonds, and limes are all native …

Posted July 1, 2016

July 2016

Chicago Homeland Security Investigators Seize Nearly 60 Tons of Honey Illegally Imported from China Department of Homeland Security…………………………………………………………..744 International Honey Market Ron Phipps………………………………………………………………………………………749 How Do Wild Honey Bee Colonies Survive Varroa Mite Infestation? J. Carter Loftus and Michael L. Smith………………………………………………………769 Understanding Colony Buildup and Decline—Part 13—The Physics of the Winter Cluster Randy Oliver…………………………………………………………………………………..777 Growing from …

Posted July 1, 2016

International Honey Market Update

Introduction Honey prices have steadily and precipitously fallen over the past year. The burdens upon beekeepers and honest players in the international honey market are terrible to bear. The Alberta Bee News reprinted a letter from the Canadian Honey Council to the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Health in May, 2016, stating: “Unfortunately, the …

Posted July 1, 2016

July 2016 Cover

July Cover Picture Honey bee working mulberry blossoms. Photographer Michael LaSpina, who lives in Northern California, took this great photo of the bee in flight with pollen on her legs.

Posted June 1, 2016

Spray applications into blossoming oilseed rape – A technological chance of minimizing residues of crop protection products in honey bee colonies

Crop protection products assure yield and quality of agricultural products. However, media is sensitizing the community, i.e. dramatic reports of increased bee mortality. Hence negative criticism of chemical crop protection is growing. Today, bee protection and crop protection are very meaningful topics and are gaining importance in political context. Oilseed rape is a relevant food …

Posted June 1, 2016

Florida State Bee- keepers Association to Raise $1.2 Million for New Bee Research Laboratory at University of Florida

On March 17, 2016 Florida Governor Rick Scott signed the 2016/2017 state budget that includes $2 million for a new bee research laboratory at the University of Florida. The legislation that provides the $2 million also requires a $500,000 match by the university and a 10% ($200,000) match by the Florida State Beekeepers Association (FSBA). …

Posted June 1, 2016

U.S. Honey Crops and Markets – June 2016

Honey flows in the southern half of the U.S. have been better thus far than last season. Good rainfall and an early spring allowed colonies to get a jump on the season. At times, wet, stormy weather has prevented normal bee foraging, but beekeepers are hoping for more stable weather for the remainder of the …

In Summer Heat, Bees Need Water: Some Tips on Providing It and How a Colony Collects and Distributes It

Posted July 1, 2016

In Summer Heat, Bees Need Water: Some Tips on Providing It and How a Colony Collects and Distributes It

Tissues and Organs in the Superorganism

Posted July 1, 2016

Tissues and Organs in the Superorganism

Biotic Stressors of Honey Bee Colonies

Posted July 1, 2016

Biotic Stressors of Honey Bee Colonies

Native Pollinators, Making Nucleus Colonies, Etc.

Posted July 1, 2016

Native Pollinators, Making Nucleus Colonies, Etc.

July 2016

Posted July 1, 2016

July 2016

International Honey Market Update

Posted July 1, 2016

International Honey Market Update

July 2016 Cover

Posted July 1, 2016

July 2016 Cover

Spray applications into blossoming oilseed rape – A technological chance of minimizing residues of crop protection products in honey bee colonies

Posted June 1, 2016

Spray applications into blossoming oilseed rape – A technological chance of minimizing residues of crop protection products in honey bee colonies

Florida State Bee- keepers Association to Raise $1.2 Million for New Bee Research Laboratory at University of Florida

Posted June 1, 2016

Florida State Bee- keepers Association to Raise $1.2 Million for New Bee Research Laboratory at University of Florida

U.S. Honey Crops and Markets – June 2016

Posted June 1, 2016

U.S. Honey Crops and Markets – June 2016

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