Colony Health – Diseases, Viruses, CCD
This section offers practical strategies for preparing strong colonies for almond pollination with an emphasis on early colony buildup, proper nutrition, and Varroa management. In particular, late-summer brood rearing, supplemental pollen feeding, and controlled Varroa treatments to ensure colonies are at peak strength by February. You’ll also find tips for monitoring hive weight and preventing overcrowding, ensuring both successful pollination and sustainable colony health.
Sick Bees – Part 18E: Colony Collapse Revisited – Genetically Modified Plants
Genetically Modified Plants What Is Genetic Modification? There’s Nothing New About Transgenics GMOs An Odd Series of Connections The Vilifying of Monsanto What Are They Up To? Practicality Overrides Principle Hold the Hate Mail The Changing Face of Agriculture Bt Crops Roundup Ready Direct Effects of Roundup Use Indirect Effects of Roundup Use The Future...
Nosema Ceranae and Honey Production in Healthy Colonies
Nosema Ceranae and Honey Production in Healthy Colonies Randy Oliver and Brion Dunbar ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in November 2012 There is considerable scientific and practical debate about the degree of impact that Nosema ceranae infection has upon the honey bee colony. It is reasonable to assume that there would be noticeable impairment,...
Sick Bees – Part 18F6: Colony Collapse Revisited – The Slaughter of the Innocents
The Slaughter of the Innocents Why the Current Hoopla on Pesticides? Ecosystems and Agriculture Our Creation of “Pests” The Slaughter of the Innocents Pesticide (Mis)use Today The Nitty-Gritty The Killing Fields Chronic Exposure Hitting the Colony Where it Really Hurts Progress in Reducing Pesticide Use A Brighter Future References Sick Bees Part 18f6: Colony Collapse...
Sick Bees Part 18F8: Colony Collapse Revisited – Beekeeping Economics
Sick Bees Part 18F8: Colony Collapse Revisited Beekeeping Economics Originally published in ABJ Dec 2013 Randy Oliver www.Scientificbeekeeping.com Beekeeping Economics The Truth Is The First Casualty Back To Reality Bee-pocalypse Beekeeping Economics Chasing The Bloom Biologically Productive Land The Dakotas Cotton And Citrus In The South Putting Plant Protection Above Pollinators Next Update...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 1
What’s Happening to the Bees? Originally published in ABJ Feb 2014 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com I’m realizing that what I thought was going to be a quick review of CCD has turned into a very long series of detailed articles, and I’m not even near reaching the conclusion. So on this 20th anniversary of my first...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 2
CONTENTS We Are Two Adaptive Species Honey Bees Are Designed For Rapid Adaptation The Human-Facilitated Realized Niche Of The Bee The Natural Limiting Factors Of The Honey Bee Population Limiting Factor: The Weather Limiting Factor: Predation Limiting Factor: Competition For Nest Cavities Limiting Factor: Carrying Capacity Of The Habitat Limiting Factor: Reproductive Success Rate Limiting...
Sick Bees – Part 18F7: Colony Collapse Revisited – Pesticide Exposure
Pesticide Exposure Oh No, Not Pesticides Again! Reality Checks The Two Worlds of Beekeeping Pesticides and Bee-pocalypse A Comparison To Some “Control Groups” The Four Horsemen And The Tip Point Could Pesticides Cause Colony Mortality And CCD? Short Memories The Heart Of The Hive – The Nursery Industry’s Arguments But Don’t We Already Know That...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 3
CONTENTS Setting The Stage: The Origins Of The Players Early Changes in The Honey Bee Niche Due To Humans The Human Deforestation Of Europe Adaptation And Change In Business The Creation Of A Niche For Bee-keeping The Domestication Of The Honey Bee The Price Of Domestication Acknowledgements Citations and Footnotes What’s Happening to the Bees?...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 4: The Genetic Consequences of Domestication
CONTENTS The Domestication Of The Bee So How Does This Apply To Bees? The Cost Of Domestication Genotype vs. Phenotype The Gene Ocean Size And Survivability Of The Breeding Population The Consequences Of Bottlenecks So How Much Genetic Diversity Have We Lost? Final Notes Acknowledgements Footnotes And Citations What’s Happening to the Bees? Part 4:...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 5: Is There A Difference Between Domesticated And Feral Bees?
CONTENTS But Aren’t All Feral Bees Nothing More Than Escaped Swarms? Other Domesticated Animal Models Reversion To Wild The Mechanics Of Domestication The Establishment Of A Feral Population Quid Pro Quo Gene Flow Between Managed And Wild Stocks Back To Honey Bees Acknowledgements References What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 5: Is There A...
What’s Happening To The Bees? – Part 6: Mitotypes, Genotypes, And Tradeoffs In Fitness
CONTENTS What Is “Fitness”? And What’s This Got To Do With Bees? Mitotype vs. Genotype Nature Doesn’t Care About Pedigree The Grass Is Always Greener Locally-Adapted Stock Wrap-Up Next Acknowledgements Footnotes And Citations What’s Happening to the Bees? Part 6: Mitotypes, Genotypes, and Tradeoffs in Fitness Originally Published in ABJ Sept 2014 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com...
Does The Crushing of Bees Affect Colony Health?
Beekeeper-Supported Research Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com One concern that I have with the feeding of pollen sub is whether inadvertently crushing bees when you place the patties could lead to transmission of pathogens within the hive. Introduction There are a number of ways to feed supplementary protein to a colony—in patty form under the lid or...
Understanding Colony Buildup and Decline: Part 13d – The Impacts of Parasites and CO2
Understanding Colony Buildup and Decline: Part 13d The Impacts of Parasites and CO2 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in ABJ October 2016 Winter is the most stressful time for the honey bee colony, and during times of stress, some parasites find opportunity in the hive. How can a beekeeper help his/her bees? The honey bee...
The Nosema Problem: Part 7a – The Causes of Dysentery in Honey Bees — Part 1
Contents Why would a colony exhibit signs of dysentery?. 3 honeydew.. 4 Microbial dysbiosis or parastism.. 5 The link between pollen and nosema. 7 How about those “winter bees”?. 8 Literature cited. 10 The Nosema Problem: Part 7a The Causes of Dysentery in Honey Bees Part 1 First published in ABJ December 2019 Randy...
A Survey on Robbing at Collapse
Contents Robbing is Governed by Olfaction Back to what happens upon colony collapse A Survey on Whether Robbing Takes Place at Collapse My Conclusions From the Survey Responses Relationship to Bee and Mite Drift A humorous anecdote regarding training bees to a scent Acknowledgements Citations and notes A SURVEY ON ROBBING AT COLLAPSE Randy...
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