Apiology

The study of honeybees...

The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Scientists Report on Honey Bee Stressors

The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC) is a collaborative group of scientists, government agencies, NGO’s, private industries and agricultural and environmental concerns that work together to bring the plight of pollinators to national attention and to be the most trusted resource for information and behaviors in support of pollinating animals and the plants with which they interact.

More:Pollinator Protection

Do managed bees have negative effects on wild bees?: A systematic review of the literature

Managed bees are critical for crop pollination worldwide. As the demand for pollinator-dependent crops increases, so does the use of managed bees. Concern has arisen that managed bees may have unintended negative impacts on native wild bees, which are important pollinators in both agricultural and natural ecosystems.

More:Native Bee Pressure

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and bee age impact honey bee pathophysiology

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies continue to experience high annual losses that remain poorly explained. Numerous interacting factors have been linked to colony declines. Understanding the pathways linking pathophysiology with symptoms is an important step in understanding the mechanisms of disease.

More:CCD

A clue on bee glue: New insight into the sources and factors driving resin intake in honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are threatened by numerous pathogens and parasites. To prevent infections they apply cooperative behavioral defenses, such as allo-grooming and hygiene, or they use antimicrobial plant resin. Resin is a chemically complex and highly variable mixture of many bioactive compounds.

More:Propolis

Honey bee diseases and pests: a practical guide

Honey bees play a vital role in the environment by pollinating both wild flowers and many agricultural crops as they forage for nectar and pollen, in addition to producing honey and beeswax.

More:Guide

Catch the Buzz

General Beekeeping News...

Beekeeping in Vermont...

ACTION REQUESTED ON H.205

VBA Members: As we've been telling you, H.205 is an important piece of legislation that could change beekeeping in Vermont. We ask you to read the following and take action.

Ask your legislators to support the changes to the bill (H.205) recommended by the VBA as outlined here. (Login required to access some areas of the VBA website.) If you don't know how to contact your legislators you can easily locate them with this tool:

Find your State Legislator
Please contact ALL your legislators, especially those on the Senate Ag committee and express gratitude for their time;

Senate Ag Committee Contact Information:

Sen. Robert Starr, Chair
Sen. Christopher A. Pearson, Vice Chair
Sen. Ruth Hardy, Clerk
Sen. Brian Collamore
Sen. Anthony Pollina
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Committee Assistant - (802) 828-2233

Encourage them to support cooperation between the Agency of Agriculture and VBA in developing educational programs and;
Encourage them to support the new positions (pollinator protection and enforcement specialists) as long as the full-time apiary inspector is retained.

Order Now! - Summer Release

The LAND of MILK & HONEY

Order Now in Time for the Summer Release

Learn how several thousand beekeepers and several billion bees made history in the small state of Vermont. This book vividly describes two hundred years of beekeeping practices and innovation by Vermonters just like you. Read how they joined the world-wide search for improved ways to harvest world-class honey, maintain these vital pollinators and save them from pathogens, pesticides, pollution, loss of forage and climate change.

Hardcover, approx. 200 pages. List price $30 + $6 shipping ($36 total)

$500K UVM donation dedicated to bee research

VBA Amendments to H.205 - Feb. 26, 2019

UPDATE: After submitting our comments to the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, VBA President Jack Rath DVM has been invited to testify to the committee tomorrow, Thursday, February 28.

ACBA Begins Season Talking Mites

VBA President Dr. Jack Rath presented to 42 beekeepers on the Varroa mite and how to manage Varroa to maintain healthy honey bees.

The occasion was the kick off meeting for the 2019 Addison County Beekeepers Association beekeeping season.

Beekeepers from Lamoille Chittenden and Rutland counties were there as well as some from New Hampshire. 10 students from The UVM honeybee club also attended .

VBA's Testimony on H.205 - Feb. 20, 2019

VBA's initial testimony on H.205 - Regulation of Neonicotinoid Pesticides - is presented here for your review. (PDF file.)

VBA member Chas Mraz reports the committee was receptive to working with VBA to improve the bill. The board of directors will continue to meet on this issue and will publish their suggestions when finalized.

VBA member Bill MAre's testimony is also provided for your review.