Bee News
California Honeybees Getting Tough on Mites
California Honeybees Getting Tough on Mites Earlier this year, the University of California, Riverside concluded research that showed local California bee species are adapting to fight off against deadly mite threats. Specifically in Southern California, threats to bees from the deadly Varroa mites are showing a steady decline. California beekeepers have lost huge numbers of…
Read MoreThe Study of Bees
The Study of Bees The study of bugs is entomology, and the specialized field of study that focuses on bees is apiology. Entomology studies more than 1 million insect species, while apiology explores the social behaviors, patterns, cognitive abilities, and ecological impact of bees. Although there is some crossover since bees are not the only…
Read MoreThe Incredible Resilience of Bumblebees
The Incredible Resilience of Bumblebees Recently, scientists unexpectedly discovered that queen bumble bees are even more resilient than originally thought. Queen bumblebees, along with other ground-nesting bee species, have been found to survive underwater, challenging the long-held belief that bees cannot survive flooding. In some states, flooding is a genuine annual concern due to weather…
Read MoreCan Bees Collect Too Much Pollen?
Can Bees Collect Too Much Pollen? We are fascinated with bees. Bees throughout history, their role in medicine, beauty, honey production, and pollination are a few of the things we focus on most. Some may wonder if there can be too much of a good thing: pollen. As adaptable as bees are, and how they…
Read MoreThe Five Ws of Pollination
The Five Ws of Pollination When it comes to pollination, there is always something new to learn. As climate change directly impacts pollination seasons and pollinator numbers, understanding the who, what, where, when, and why reminds us why pollination is so important to keep the ecosystem healthy. Likely, some, not a majority, of the food…
Read MoreThe First Honeybee Vaccine
The First Honeybee Vaccine The first bee vaccine may be the answer to beekeeper concerns over honeybee health and provide a brighter future for our essential pollinators. The vaccine targets American foulbrood, a bacterial disease that aggressively attacks beehives and can kill entire hives, spreading rapidly throughout regions and infecting and killing countless bees. The…
Read More