Residues of plant protection products (PPPs) are frequently detected in bee matrices1–6 due to foraging bees collecting contaminated nectar and pollen, which they bring back to their hive. The collected material is further used by nurse bees to produce glandular secretions for feeding their larvae.7 Potential exposure to PPPs occurs through direct oral ingestion, contact…
European foulbrood (EFB) is a severe bacterial honey bee brood disease caused by the Grampositive bacterium Melissocccus plutonius. The disease is widely distributed worldwide, and is an increasing problem in some areas. Although the causative agent of EFB was described almost a century ago, many basic aspects of its pathogenesis are still unknown. Earlier studies…
Stylops ater is an endoparasite of the mining bee Andrena vaga with extreme sexual dimorphism and hypermetamorphosis. Its population structure, parasitization mode, genetic diversity and impact on host morphology were examined in nesting sites in Germany to better understand this highly specialized host–parasite interaction. The shift in host emergence due to stylopization was proven to…
Queen health and quality play a significant role in the survival, expansion, and productivity of honey bee colonies. Nevertheless, modern beekeeping practices, intensified agriculture, and climate change can leave queens vulnerable to diverse stressors. These stressors can exert a negative impact on queens, resulting in a range of morphological and physiological abnormalities. The repercussions of…
Ongoing pollinator declines call for urgent mitigation measures guided by adequate evidence-based policies. Recently, increasing concerns about negative impacts of managed bees on wild bees through resource competition and pathogen transmission have fueled intense scientific, societal and political debate. The complex and fragmented evidence around this topic, and how it is interpreted, is increasingly polarizing…
Pollen is a source of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals for honey bees, and pollen nutri- tion is important for bee health and winter survival. In this study, we investigated the pollen supply of honey bees in Danish landscapes with a view to elucidate the significance of the seasonal development and land use in the…
We invite you to apply for this position, and/or forward this email onto your units or other interested parties. Thank you! The successful candidate will develop an innovative, internationally recognized and externally funded research program related to honey bees by engaging in teaching courses, mentoring and advising students, and outreach related to honey bees. This…
The application of treatments to reduce/control the number of Varroa destructor mites within Apis mellifera colonies is a common apicultural practice. The effectiveness of the treatments in reducing Varroa mites from colonies has been extensively studied, however, the effects of these treatments on the bees within the colonies are poorly characterised. This work utilised label-free…
COLOSS members confirm the first findings of the harmful Tropilaelaps mercedesae mite in Western Georgia. Infested honey bee colonies in three different apiaries showed high levels of infestation. In these colonies, T. mercedesae was found together with the harmful mite, Varroa destructor, both showing high reproductive success. This discovery raises alarms for beekeeping in Georgia…
COLOSS members confirm the first findings of the harmful Tropilaelaps mercedesae mite in Western Georgia. Infested honey bee colonies in three different apiaries showed high levels of infestation. In these colonies, T. mercedesae was found together with the harmful mite, Varroa destructor, both showing high reproductive success. This discovery raises alarms for beekeeping in Georgia…