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!
by Eric Mussen From March/April 2013 University of California at Davis, Bee News For many years, beekeepers and environmentally interested individuals have expressed the opinion that the use of neonicotinoid insecticides (“neonics”) have interfered with the ability of honey bees and native bees to conduct their life activities properly. Since laboratory studies have detailed the disruptive effect on those insects, it was …
Due to the long, harsh winter experienced across Canada, many beekeepers are finding a larger than average percentage of winterkill in their apiaries. Not all numbers are known at this time as some beekeepers still cannot access their hives, however unofficial reports are as high as 50% winterkill. As a result, we have received numerous questions regarding the importation of …
by Dennis vanEngelsdorp1*, Nathalie Steinhauer1, Karen Rennich1, Jeffery Pettis2, Eugene J. Lengerich3, David Tarpy4, Keith S. Delaplane5, Angela M. Spleen3, James T. Wilkes6, Robyn Rose7, Kathleen Lee8, Michael Wilson9 , John Skinner9 , and Dewey M. Caron10 for the Bee Informed Partnership. Note: This is a preliminary analysis. A more detailed final report is being prepared for publication at a later …
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 …