Vermont Beekeepers Association

Apiology

Apiology – (from Latin apis, "bee"; and Ancient Greek -λογία, -logia) is the scientific study of honey bees.

Coronavirus stings world's top honey makers with China beekeepers locked down

BEIJING (Reuters) - Beekeepers in China, the world's top honey producer, are bracing for a bleak start to the key spring pollinating season as travel curbs aimed at containing a coronavirus outbreak keep them at home while their bees go without food for weeks.

More: CoronaVirus

Functional Properties of Honey, Propolis, and Royal Jelly

Honey, propolis, and royal jelly, products originating in the beehive, are attractive ingredients for healthy foods. Honey has been used since ancient times as part of traditional medicine.

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Drone and Worker Brood Microclimates Are Regulated Differentially in Honey Bees, Apis mellifera

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones and workers show differences in morphology, physiology, and behavior. Because the functions of drones are more related to colony reproduction, and those of workers relate to both survival and reproduction, we hypothesize that the microclimate for worker brood is more precisely regulated than that of drone brood.

More:Microclimate

Detection of amitraz resistance and reduced treatment efficacy in the Varroa Mite, Varroa destructor, within commercial beekeeping operations

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor and the associated viruses it transmits are responsible for most instances of honey bee colony losses in the United States. As such, beekeepers utilize miticides to control Varroa populations.

More:Amitraz

What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD

You may have noticed that cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be available almost everywhere, and marketed as a variety of products including drugs, food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and animal health products.

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A mathematical model of honey bee colony dynamics to predict the effect of pollen on colony failure

The decline in colony populations of the honey bee, known as the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), is a global concern. Numerous studies have reported possible causes, including pesticides, parasites, and nutritional stress.

More: Pollen Model

Drone and Worker Brood Microclimates Are Regulated Differentially in Honey Bees, Apis mellifera

More:Microclimate

Beekeeping in Vermont

VBA North & South Yard Workshops are Cancelled Until Further Notice

We are working on possible options to webcast outdoor workshops. Please watch the emailed VBA Update for news.

Details: Last Updated: 02 April 2020 02 April 2020

Minding My Own Beeswax

by Jeanne Davis

I’ve been thinking about the quality of beeswax for quite a while and I’d like to share some of my developing ideas here. I keep 10-15 colonies of bees in two bee yards in southwest Vermont. My colonies consist of 3 medium hive bodies and shallow honey supers. In 2008 I started thinking a lot about the nature of beeswax to act as a sponge, holding environmental and intentional (beekeeper applied) chemicals. I had already been rotating out older combs but now proceeded to do it more regularly. I marked each frame with the year it was first employed and this helped me see which ones to cycle out first. Over time I’ve pulled out old frames so that I am on a 4=5 year cycle of replacement.

Details: Last Updated: 26 March 2020 26 March 2020

Vermont Beekeepers & COVID-19

The Vermont Beekeepers Association is proceeding with plans for the summer meeting in Brandon, scheduled for July 11. Of course we, like everyone else, are monitoring the Coronavirus situation and will make a decision as to whether the meeting will take place on the scheduled date. We are already planning alternate dates if it becomes necessary and will provide news on the VBA website and in our emailed Updates to members.

The EAS Board of Directors is closely watching the Coronavirus situation and will likely decide if EAS 2020 will be cancelled sometime in April. Currently the University of Maine Orono where the 2020 EAS conference is planned, is closed. Registration for EAS will not be opened until, and when, the Executive Board makes a decision.

In the event of a prolonged stay home order, the VBA will use teleconferencing, webinars and other online learning tools to assist members. In the meantime, members may use the VBA website forums in order to interact with other beekeepers and ask questions as we prepare for the upcoming season. (Login to the VBA website and find the Forums under the Members Only menu.)

Finally, Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued an Addendum to Executive Order 01-20 in response to COVID-19 directing Vermonters to stay home:

"To preserve the public health and safety, to ensure the healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all, and to help protect those at the highest risk and vulnerability, Vermonters are directed to stay at home or in their place of residence, leaving only for essential reasons." The complete order may be read here.

Section 6 of the order includes an agricultural exemption allowing beekeepers to tend to their apiaries.

State Coronavirus information may be viewed here or you may visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website.

The VBA website calendar will reflect updated events information as we receive it. Local clubs are asked to update their calendar listings as-needed.

Details: Last Updated: 25 March 2020 25 March 2020

Take Your Club to the Next Level

There are five needs that should be met by a bee club for its members: social, educational, financial, political, and promotional.

More:Bee Club

Details: Last Updated: 17 March 2020 17 March 2020

SABA Seminar Canceled

The Southern Adirondack Beekeepers Association (SABA) Annual Seminar at HVCC Tec Smart is canceled due to restrictions on HVCC and events at the facility.

Details: Last Updated: 19 March 2020 19 March 2020

March 4 Meeting Minutes Posted

VBA Members: Meeting minutes from the March 4 board of directors meeting are available in the Members Only area. (Login required.) There are a few issues being looked at, including honey adulteration, and the definition of local as it applies to honey and Vermont products.