Beekeeping: Science updates

  Science updates: Varroa-resistant and honey bees The research article explores the impact of Varroa mite infestation on honey bee health and the economic implications for beekeepers. Honey bees are crucial agricultural pollinators, contributing significantly to crop growth and the economy. However, over the past two decades, honey bee health has declined, with Varroa mite infestation emerging as a primary predictor of colony mortality. To address this issue, the study compares the performance of Varroa-resistant Hilo honey bees with commercial honey bee populations in terms of colony survival, health, yield, and profit outcomes. The results show that the Varroa-resistant Hilo honey bee population maintained higher survival rates and lower Varroa infestation levels compared to the commercial population, while also retaining a profit value in honey production operations. This information can guide commercial beekeepers in making best management practice decisions and inspi...

  Science updates: Variation in Pesticide Toxicity to honey bees   The research article explores the variation in pesticide toxicity in the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) associated with consuming different monofloral honeys. The study indicates that the toxicity of the insecticide bifenthrin in honey bees across different honey diets is linked to the species-specific phytochemical content of the honeys. Furthermore, the study reveals positive correlations between LD50 values and honey phytochemical richness estimates, suggesting unequal effects among different phytochemicals in mitigating pesticide toxicity. The document also emphasizes the importance of considering the overall diversity of honey phytochemicals and their potential impacts on honey bee health, particularly in pesticide-contaminated environments. The findings highlight the significance of honey phytochemicals in equipping bees with defenses against both natural and synthetic xenobiotics and suggest ...

  Science updates: Brood indicators and honey bee colony loss   The research article titled "Brood indicators are an early warning signal of honey bee colony loss—a simulation-based study" explores the development of robust indicators for honey bee vitality. The study acknowledges the multiple stressors, such as pesticides, lack of forage, and diseases, that honey bees are exposed to and the need for early warning signals to assist beekeepers in adaptive management. The research utilizes the established honey bee simulation model BEEHAVE to evaluate potential indicators like population size, brood cells, flight activity, Varroa mites, honey stores, and the brood-bee ratio. The simulations implemented two stressors: sub-optimal Varroa treatment and temporal forage gaps, revealing that neither stressor could be detected by adult bee abundance or honey reserves at the end of the first year. However, the study identified brood indicators and the abundance of Varroa mites ...

  Science updates: Effects of copper and zinc on honey bees The research article titled "Impact of Copper and Zinc Oral Chronic Exposure on Carniolan Honey Bee Survival and Feeding Preference" discusses the effects of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) exposure on the survival and feeding behavior of Carniolan honey bees. The study investigated the impact of chronic oral exposure to different concentrations of Cu and Zn on honey bee workers in laboratory conditions. The findings revealed that both metals led to increased mortality in honey bee workers in a concentration-dependent manner, with Cu being more toxic than Zn. Additionally, the study conducted 2-choice feeding experiments, demonstrating that honey bees preferred Zn-containing solutions compared to the control diet, suggesting a feeding preference for Zn. The research also highlighted the potential adverse effects of ecologically relevant concentrations of Cu and Zn on honey bee workers, emphasizing the need for caut...