Vermont Beekeepers Association

Apiology

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

Varroa destructor: A Complex Parasite, Crippling Honey Bees Worldwide

Varroa is also a highly efficient vector of honey bee viruses and drives changes in virus distribution, prevalence, and virulence.

More:Varroa Vector

Effect of Bodily Fluids from Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Larvae on Growth and Genome-Wide Transcriptional Response of the Causal Agent of American Foulbrood Disease (Paenibacillus larvae)

Paenibacillus larvae, the causal agent of American Foulbrood Disease (AFB), affect honey bee health worldwide.

More:AFB

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

Beekeeping in Vermont

Proposal: VBA Recognition Program

The VBA Board of Directors is considering enhancements to the VBA Recognition program. We would like to form a committee consisting of one or more Board members as well as interested VBA members to develop any ideas and potentially implement the Recognition program. The information below was proposed as a starting point at our last VBA Board meeting. If you would be willing to help out on this effort, please contact VBA Board member, Fred Putnam, at 802-247-3323 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thank you for your interest!

Details: Last Updated: 17 October 2018 17 October 2018

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

Details: Last Updated: 02 October 2018 02 October 2018

Sweet Days at the Tunbridge Fair - 2018

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

tunb2018

...with Bill Mares and Scott Wilson

Details: Last Updated: 16 September 2018 16 September 2018

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.

Details: Last Updated: 15 September 2018 15 September 2018

"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.

Details: Last Updated: 07 September 2018 07 September 2018

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.

Details: Last Updated: 02 September 2018 02 September 2018

Congratulations Michael Palmer

EAS 2018 honors Michael Palmer with the Divelbiss Award
For Outstanding Apicultural Contributions

Details: Last Updated: 20 August 2018 20 August 2018

Fred Putnam Jr. speaking at Killington Town Office

If you happen to bee in Killington on August 8, 11:00 A.M. buzz on over to the Killington Town office to hear Fred teach kids about honeybees, beekeeping, culminating with a fabulous Vermont honey tasting.This is part of the Town of Killington kids summer camp organized by the Town of Killington Recreation Director, Cathy Foutch.