What’s Bugging Our Bees?

The purpose of this newsletter is to further the understanding of these bee-related problems and issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. UC Davis bee biology expert Elina Niño introduces the subject of bee health and the significant effect of parasitic mites and pathogens in bee decline.

Catch the Buzz—Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use

Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).

It Takes a Colony

Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).

Top 8 Take-home Messages of the Urban Pollinator Conference

Michigan State University Extension and North Carolina State University hosted the second national Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference in Traverse City, Michigan, Oct. 9-11, 2017. Approximately 142 participants with varying professional backgrounds attended the event, including researchers, educators, students, beekeepers, landscapers and arborists.

Bumble Bees Regulate Their Intake of Essential Protein and Lipid Pollen Macronutrients

Overview Reduction of nutritional resources may be one reason for bee decline. It is well-known that solitary and social insects forage very differently to meet species-specific nutritional intake.  The researchers studied the survival rate of two bumble bee species Bombus impatiens and Bombus terrestris and compared the specific Protein: Lipid ratios on synthetic diets.

Protecting and Enhancing Pollinators In Urban Landscapes

Overview Without natural enemies, invasive pests population surge dramatically, this is also a primary reason tree care professionals and property owners use pesticides, to manage invasive pests from Europe and Asia. This publication is designed to provide best management practices for protecting a few valuable plants from invasive pests while minimizing the impact on pollinators […]