Queen Bee’s Honesty is the Best Policy for Reproduction Signals

Queen bees convey honest signals to worker bees about their reproductive status and quality, according to an international team of researchers, who say their findings may help to explain why honey bee populations are declining. "We usually think of animals' chemical signals (called pheromones) as communication systems that convey only very simple sorts of information," said Christina Grozinger, professor of entomology …

Allergic to Insect Stings: Allergy Shots Decrease Anxiety and Depression

Stinging insects are everywhere making them nearly inescapable. The thought of being stung can cause depression and anxiety for the two million Americans that are allergic to their venom. But according to a study being presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Baltimore, Nov. 7-11, allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can …

Almond Pollination Update

Looking for (REAL) Late-Blooming Soft-Shells by Joe Traynor Scientific Ag Company Robust almond prices have caused a surge in new acreage.  Almost all new current plantings are soft-shell varieties due to the price gap between soft and hard-shells -- now 50 cents/lb and growing.  The major China and India markets purchase in-shell almonds and either sell them in-shell (often for gifts) or use …

Entomological Society to Meet in Texas

Nearly 3,500 insect scientists will swarm to the Austin Convention Center from November 10-13, 2013 for the 61st Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Topics covered during the meeting will include bed bugs, honey bees, Colony Collapse Disorder, fire ants, genetically modified crops (GMOs), pest management, mosquitoes, insecticide resistance, forensic entomology, insect-borne diseases, insect evolution, arthropod repellents, invasive species, …