Researchers are using small microchips to study the effects of a virus that was once considered to be benign to honeybees but is now known to make them die fast. The virus is another form of deformed wing virus (DWV), and it could be more problematic than researchers thought. “It’s possible that the virus has…
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Frank Drummond, professor at the University of Maine, is the last person known to have held a Maine-originated rusty patched bumblebee. Drummond, who admits to being foggy on the details, believes it was around summer 2009 when he found the bee. During that time, he and his students were busy collecting specimens in Stockton Springs.…
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Down in New Zealand, there lives a young beekeeper named James Malcolm who has dedicated himself to his profession. Malcolm, 28, lives on his worksite of the beekeeping operation he owns, working 12 hour shifts without complaint. He’s been doing this for a while—at least a decade—and he is starting to see all his hard…
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While it’s likely something most people don’t think about, it’s common for honeybees to migrate to and be accepted by other hives. Hives have a unique system for accepting migrant or “drifting” bees that wander into neighboring hives, and they may be allowed to stay if they’re accepted by the nest guards. Morgane Nouvian and…
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If you’re the type who likes to cook for their significant other on Valentine’s Day, this decadent meal offers a savory taste that’s almost as sweet as dessert thanks to the ever-reliable Manuka honey. This homemade pasta with lemon, herbs, and Manuka honey may sound like too much of a challenge, but making your own…
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Researchers from Texas A&M University have been receiving calls from residents concerned about an increase in bee activity. “It’s unusual this time of year to be getting calls about bee activity, but the warmer-than-usual temperatures this winter have allowed the bees to be much more active than they would be normally,” entomologist Molly Keck said…
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Research into recent hot weather in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia is showing that the weather could lead to far more pest problems for apiarists than originally thought. Dr. Diana Leemon, Queensland’s Department of Agriculture, suggests beekeepers should keep an eye out for the small hive beetle (SHB). These tiny pests could reduce honey…
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Arthritis in dogs is just one of the common health problems pet owners face as their best friends begin to age, but even the most attentive of dog owners seldom notice the warning signs because animals are great at ignoring their discomfort. Dogs may only show signs of pain after their arthritis has become severe.…
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