Apiology

The study of honeybees...

The biology of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae): Gaps in our knowledge of an invasive species

Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida, are honeybee parasites native to Africa, where they are a minor pest only. In contrast, the beetles can be harmful parasites of European honeybee subspecies.

More: SHB

The Buzz about Honey Bee Viruses

High annual losses of honey bees, as well as range reductions and local extinctions of wild and native pollinator species, are concerning because bees are important plant pollinators [1]. Approximately one-third of the typical Western diet requires bee pollination, and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the primary pollinators of numerous food crops, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, and oilseeds [2].

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Comparison of Productivity of Colonies of Honey Bees, Apis mellifera, Supplemented with Sucrose or High Fructose Corn Syrup

Honey bee colony feeding trials were conducted to determine whether differential effects of carbohydrate feeding (sucrose syrup (SS) vs. high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS) could be measured between colonies fed exclusively on these syrups. In one experiment, there was a significant difference in mean wax production between the treatment groups and a significant interaction between time and treatment for the colonies confined in a flight arena.

More:sugar syrup

Chalkbrood disease in honey bees

Chalkbrood disease is typically most prevalent during the spring, given that fungal growth is enhanced in cool and humid (poorly ventilated) beehives (Mehr et al., 1976; Gilliam et al., 1978; Puerta et al., 1994; Flores et al., 1996; Borum and Ulgen, 2008).

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Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Queen Reproductive Potential Affects Queen Mandibular Gland Pheromone Composition and Worker Retinue Response

Reproductive division of labor is one of the defining traits of honey bees (Apis mellifera), with non-reproductive tasks being performed by workers while a single queen normally monopolizes reproduction.

More:Pheromone

Catch the Buzz

General Beekeeping News...

Beekeeping in Vermont...

Mentoring Program Update

A message from Scott Wilson regarding the VBA mentoring program

Details: Published: 11 April 2018 11 April 2018

VBA Marketplace Updates

Looking for Northern-raised queens or nucs? Supplies are limited but you might want to check with suppliers listed on our revamped Marketplace listings (on the top menu). We're rearranging things a bit to emphasize northern honeybee providers. We've also separated the listings so beekeeping equipment has its own listing.

And we're working on establishing a web store so you can buy VBA hats and books in addition to paying your membership dues online.

Details: Published: 04 April 2018 04 April 2018

The Bee Informed Loss and Management Survey is live April 1st – 30th, 2018.

The BIP annual survey of honey bee losses is now live. If you have an interest in participating please click the link below.

More:Survey

Details: Published: 03 April 2018 03 April 2018

A new app listens to the problems of bees

You might expect to hear an angry buzzing when honeybees have been disturbed. But some apiarists reckon they can also deduce the condition of their bees from the sounds they make. A steady hum could be the sign of a contented hive; a change in tone might indicate that the bees are about to swarm. That intuition is about to be put to the test. Soon, beekeepers will be able to try to find out what is troubling a colony by listening to the buzz using a smartphone app.

More:APP

Details: Published: 01 April 2018 01 April 2018

Research focuses on varroa mite control

Because developing varroa mites are sealed inside a capped brood cell with developing bee larvae, they are protected from miticides. Artificially forcing the colony to become broodless for a short period would eliminate those hiding places and could offer better mite control with a single miticide treatment.

More: Varroa

Details: Published: 30 March 2018 30 March 2018

United States Honey Production Down 9 Percent for Operations with Five or More Colonies in 2017

United States honey production in 2017 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, downUnited States honey production in 2017 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, down9 percent from 2016. There were 2.67 million colonies producing honey in 2017, down 4 percent from 2016. Yield per colony averaged 55.3 pounds, down 5 percent from the 58.3 pounds in 2016.

More: Honey

Details: Published: 30 March 2018 30 March 2018

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