We will bring you information on worldwide developments within the beekeeping industry and related agricultural news. We will present a brief introduction to events, developments and interesting news releases as they occur. Want information sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for our free newsletter!
In early March the Florida citrus groves experienced an acute foliar poisoning that resulted in severely damaged colonies. Oranges had an early bloom this year, and were still blooming near the end of April. One beekeeper’s bees suffered due to the drift application of Montana 2F from a neighboring grove. 1000-1500 colonies were killed, while 10,000-13,000 colonies suffered severe damage. …
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure. "There is an important link between the health of American …
A new study led by Illinois professor of entomology May Berenbaum shows that some components of the nectar and pollen grains bees collect to manufacture food increase expression of detoxification genes that help keep honey bees healthy. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer Research in the wake of Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious malady afflicting (primarily commercial) honey bees, suggests that pests, pathogens and pesticides all play a …
by Kathy Keatley Garvey UC Davis Dept. of Entomology Eric Mussen DAVIS, CALIF.--Honey bee guru Eric Mussen, Extension apiculturist and member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology faculty since 1976, has received scores of awards during his career, and now he’s received one from his alma mater. Mussen has been named the recipient of the 2013 Alexander Hodson Graduate Alumni Award from the …
California’s 2012 almond acreage is estimated at 870,000 acres, up 4 percent from the 2011 acreage of 835,000. Of the total acreage for 2012, 790,000 acres were bearing and 80,000 acres were non-bearing. Preliminary bearing acreage for 2013 is estimated at 810,000 acres. Nonpareil continued to be the leading variety, followed by Butte, Carmel, Monterey and Padre. Kern, Fresno, Merced and Stanislaus …
Ants foraging on nectar transmit yeasts that change sugar-chemistry and may affect subsequent pollinator visitations and plant fitness. Ant pollinators (Crematogaster auberti) foraging on a female flower of Cytinus hypocistis. Credit: Courtesy of Clara de Vega and Carlos M. Herrera. Ants play a variety of important roles in many ecosystems. As frequent visitors to flowers, they can benefit plants in their role as …
The Bee Team: (from left) Eric Mussen, Neal Williams, Robbin Thorp, Lynn Kimsey and Brian Johnson. (Kathy Keatley Garvey Photo) by Kathy Keatley Garvey UC Davis Dept. of Entomology DAVIS, CA--“The Bee Team” at the University of California, Davis, has won a major award. Five faculty members from the Department of Entomology received the coveted team award from the Pacific Branch, Entomological Society of America (PBESA), …
Randy Oliver, commercial beekeeper and scientist, has investigated and summarized the factors involved in colony losses this winter, including the contribution of pesticides. In this lengthy two-part analysis he has obtained many opinions from both commercial beekeepers and scientists. By now, most everyone has heard that honey bee colonies died in massive numbers this winter. Reporter Dan Rather, in his newscast …