Apiology

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

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. Widespread resistance has developed to the miticides fluvalinate and coumaphos. However, Varroa has largely maintained susceptibility to amitraz despite a long and extensive use history.

More:Amitraz

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.

More: Propolis

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.

More:Cannabis

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

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

'Intensive' beekeeping not to blame for common bee diseases

More "intensive" beekeeping does not raise the risk of diseases that harm or kill the insects, new research suggests.

Intensive agriculture—where animals or plants are kept crowded together in very high densities—is thought to result in higher rates of disease spreading.

But researchers from the University of Exeter and the University of California, Berkeley found this is not the case for honeybees.

More:Intensive

Beekeeping in Vermont

UVM Study Discussed on VPR

A recent study by the University of Vermont and the Vermont Center for Ecostudies researcher suggests viruses from managed bees have spread from apiaries to wild bumblebees. UVM researcher and pollinator specialist Samantha Alger shared her findings with Vermont Edition.

Details: Last Updated: 03 July 2019 03 July 2019

Yes or No?

HoneyBeeSuite.com asks the question: "Is the Beekeeping Bubble About to Burst?"

What do you think? Please take a few minutes to read the article then come back here and take our one-question very unscientific survey. (You also have the opportunity to leave your thoughts in a comment box.)

We'll have our experts review the comments - if any - and show the results in an upcoming email Update. In the meantime you may view the results here.

Details: Last Updated: 13 June 2019 13 June 2019

VBA June Meeting Minutes Online

Minutes from the June VBA Board of Directors meetings are now available online. VBA members may read the minutes by logging in to the site and selecting Meeting Minutes under the Members Only top menu heading.

Details: Last Updated: 11 June 2019 11 June 2019

Call a Beekeeper, Not an Exterminator

This is the time of year when Vermont homeowners are likely to find swarms of bees in trees, or even within the walls of houses or barns. While frightening to those unfamiliar with it, it is a natural part of a bee's reproductive cycle. Swarming is the process by which a new honey bee colony is formed when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of worker bees - usually to alleviate over-crowding in a hive. When that happens: Call a beekeeper to remove a swarm of bees, not an exterminator.

Details: Last Updated: 06 June 2019 06 June 2019

H.205 Signed by Governor

H.205, the "Neonics" legislation the Vermont Beekeepers Association has been following, was signed into law by Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday, May 28 and will take effect July 1, 2019.

VBA thanks all Vermont beekeepers who worked with us on getting it passed.

Details: Last Updated: 30 May 2019 30 May 2019

Mentors Needed

The Vermont Beekeepers Association Mentor Program is always looking for experienced beekeepers willing to mentor newcomers. We are especially in need of mentors to help cover these areas around the state: Stowe, Moretown, Johnson, Eden, St.Johnsbury, Tunbridge, Westmore and Hartland.

To learn more about the program and what the requirements are for participation as a mentor, please read the qualifications page on our website. If you have any questions, please address them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mentoring is a great way to share your skillset with other beekeepers while promoting best management practices in Vermont.