Apiology

The study of honeybees...

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

Trophallactic interactions in the adult honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract - Trophallaxis, the transfer of food by mouth from one individual to another, occurs among adults of honeybee colonies. The drones and the queen consume but do not donate, while the workers are recipients and donors.

More:Trophallaxis

Catch the Buzz

General Beekeeping News...

Beekeeping in Vermont...

Recent Events in Pictures...

Amanda Werner provided these images from the September 29 Northern Yard Workshop on getting things ready for winter. Kim Greenwood sent along more photos from the Tunbridge Fair. KIM 5005

Sweet Days at the Tunbridge Fair - 2018

From left to right: Ron Hernandez, Tony Antonucci & John Mcneil

tunb2018

...with Bill Mares and Scott Wilson

The Allurements of Theorists

"The Allurements of Theorists" is an article from a simpler time, written in language that reflects the era.

Bee culture is a very profitable as well as fascinating pursuit, yet in choosing it as a profession a person must be very sure he likes it above all other trades, or he will not be very sure to make a success of it. The trade a person engages in is never to blame for the failure of the person who has adopted it. If you like your team you will take good care of it ; just so with your trade, no matter what it may be. After having made sure you like bee keeping as a trade, make up your mind to drive it well, and never let it drive you.

"Added Sugar" Labels Update

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says new guidance about added sugars that will provide an alternate labeling option for pure maple syrup and honey will be released next year.

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said Thursday that the new rules will provide “a path forward for pure, single-ingredient” maple syrup and honey products that does not involve an “added sugars” declaration along with the nutritional facts.

Congratulations Dr. Samantha Alger!

VBA Advisory Board Member Samantha Alger has successfully defended her Ph.D. and is now officially Dr. Samantha Alger!

Her work has aided both the scientific and beekeeping communities to better understand how disease transmission between bee species occurs.

In addition, we applaud her ability to channel newly gained scientific knowledge into useful tools and recommendations for beekeepers in this state. We look forward to Dr. Alger’s bright future and offer her congratulations for her amazing achievement.

Dr. Alger will be facilitating a partnership between VBA and the UVM Beekeeping Club - one of the topics discussed at the last VBA board meeting.