Category: bees

Genomes of parasitic mites harming the world’s bees.

December 5, 2019

Honey bee colony collapse has devastating consequences for the environment, the global economy, and food security worldwide. The culprits behind some of the destruction — parasitic Varroa mites — are just a couple of millimeters in size, and they infiltrate colonies and infect bees with viruses. Yet surprisingly little is known about the mite’s biology. Researchers from … More Genomes of parasitic mites harming the world’s bees.

U.S. beekeepers lost over 40 percent of colonies last year, the highest winter losses ever recorded. Results point to a need for increased research, extension, and best management practices.

November 27, 2019

Beekeepers across the United States lost 40.7% of their honey bee colonies from April 2018 to April 2019, according to preliminary results of the latest annual nationwide survey conducted by the University of Maryland-led nonprofit Bee Informed Partnership. Honey bees pollinate $15 billion worth of food crops in the United States each year. The survey … More U.S. beekeepers lost over 40 percent of colonies last year, the highest winter losses ever recorded. Results point to a need for increased research, extension, and best management practices.

Microscopy research helps unravel the workings of a major honey bee pest.

October 30, 2019

Varroa mites do not feed on bee blood (hemolymph fluid) Research by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland released today sheds new light — and reverses decades of scientific dogma — regarding a honey bee pest (Varroa destructor) that is considered the greatest single driver of the global honey … More Microscopy research helps unravel the workings of a major honey bee pest.

Dangerous bee virus might be innocent bystander. Beekeepers urged to rethink fears around deadly virus.

October 27, 2019

Researchers at the University of Sydney have found that the relationship between the tissue-sucking Varroa mite and virulence of a virus of honey bees, has most likely been misunderstood.   The study challenges the long-held belief that the  parasitic Varroa mite — a mite that sucks the tissue of honey bees — transmits the Deformed Wing Virus of honeybees … More Dangerous bee virus might be innocent bystander. Beekeepers urged to rethink fears around deadly virus.

World’s biggest bee found!

October 24, 2019

Wallace’s giant bee has been rediscovered in Indonesia An international team of scientists and conservationists has announced the finding of what many consider to be the ‘holy grail’ of bee discoveries –the rare Wallace’s giant bee. The bee (Megachile pluto) is the world’s largest, with a wingspan more than six centimetres (2.5 inches). Despite its conspicuous … More World’s biggest bee found!

Newly identified bacteria may help bees nourish their young.

October 21, 2019

Researchers have identified three bacteria that may help prevent spoilage of the pollen that wild bees provision for their offspring. A team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside have isolated three previously unknown bacterial species from wild bees and flowers. The bacteria, which belong to the genus Lactobacillus, may play a role in preserving the nectar and pollen that female … More Newly identified bacteria may help bees nourish their young.

Fungus provides powerful medicine in fighting honey bee viruses.

September 30, 2019

Mycelium extract reduces viruses in honey bees.  A mushroom extract fed to honey bees greatly reduces virus levels, according to a new paper from Washington State University scientists, the USDA and colleagues at Fungi Perfecti, a business based in Olympia, Washington. In field trials, colonies fed mycelium extract from amadou and reishi fungi showed a 79-fold reduction in … More Fungus provides powerful medicine in fighting honey bee viruses.

Discovery of RNA transfer through royal jelly could aid development of honey bee vaccines.

September 28, 2019

Researchers have discovered that honey bees are able to share immunity with other bees and to their offspring in a hive by transmitting RNA ‘vaccines’ through royal jelly and worker jelly. The jelly is the bee equivalent of mother’s milk: a secretion used to provide nutrition to worker and queen bee larvae. The findings suggest … More Discovery of RNA transfer through royal jelly could aid development of honey bee vaccines.