The following posts can be found on Patreon.com via the Apis Information Resource Digest. These are curated posts that seek to bring to the reader a comprehensive view of specific topics of interest garnered from a variety of sources.
Posted at Feb 6th 2018 at 9:34 pm
Beekeeping and Human Activity – Apicentric Beekeeping
Robert Owen in a research essay published by the Journal of Economic Entomology linked here (behind a paywall) argues that human activity is a key driver in the spread of pathogens affecting the European honey bee ( Apis mellifera ).
Posted at Jan 22nd 2018 at 9:41 pm
First Queen Rearing Station in the Middle East
The above is a revealing post. The station claims to be rearing “Saskatraz” queens , something many, including this author, are not familiar with. Other thoughts on the complexity and possible advantages of queen breeding can be found here . This information lends credence to the maxim that all honey bees are not alike .
Posted at Jan 18th 2018 at 1:32 pm
The Latest on Colony Collapse Disorder
The latest information linked above reveals that the four P’s must now be considered the real villains responsible for Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD: — poor nutrition, pesticides, pathogens and parasites. The saga thus continues concerning Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) . The condition spawned many academic papers . Historically speaking CCD certainly looks related to unexplained honey bee losses that are more common than many might think . Finally, this digest allows readers to weigh in via comments of their own, something not always possible in routine web posts.
Posted at Jan 13th 2018 at 7:11 pm
Pesticides and Sugar: Lethal Combination
The post above provides various clues to pesticide losses, including the honey bee diet (influence of sugar as an attractant). One concept is that drug interactions might be a key and something called Cytochrome P450 is limiting. This occurs not only in honey bees, but other organisms including humans. This is bad news all around. See historical information about managing pesticides in honey bees here.
Posted at Jan 12th 2018 at 5:55 pm
Bee Audacious Program – One Year Later
It’s the one-year anniversary of the Bee Audacious initiative, according to the above post. Check out the series of video interviews in the above post to give you an idea of what came out of this unique event . There look to be more in the future.
Posted at Jan 12th 2018 at 5:21 pm
Thomas Carroll’s Video Introduction to Beekeeping
Beekeeping has very many benefits according to the post above. Established beekeepers may not even be aware of all the benefits they, their family and community are getting from their beekeeping enterprise. This course gives a good overview of the history and current state of bees and beekeeping around the world, the honey trade, why you should get into beekeeping, how you can benefit personally from beekeeping and why your local community and the planet will thank you as well. The course will give you the WHY of beekeeping which is essential before you get lost in the detail of the HOW.
Posted at Jan 11th 2018 at 9:23 pm
National Honey Show Lecture Videos
The National Honey Show is the UK’s premier honey show with international classes, lectures and workshops according to the above post. Featured here is a listing of the prestigious lectures given at the show dated from 2013 to the present. Warning: this remarkable list of presentations can consume a lot of your time.
Posted at Jan 9th 2018 at 6:00 pm
ABF Conference and Trade Show
See this year’s report on the American Beekeeping Federation’s Annual Conference and Trade Show in Reno, Nevada . The last time it met in that city was 2005. Compare the above report with the rather full account of that event at that time by looking at the attached document (below). It’s worth comparing the above report with what took place there from a historical viewpoint over a decade ago!