September 2024

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A Protocol for Monitoring Populations of Free-Living Western Honey Bees in Temperate Regions

Despite their ecological significance, wild Apis mellifera populations remain critically understudied. Addressing this research gap requires the study and monitoring of free-living colonies to identify potential self-sustaining populations. However, a lack of standardized methodologies has hindered these efforts. To address this challenge, Honey Bee Watch, an international coalition dedicated to studying free-living honey bees, has developed a…

Phytochemical profiles of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and their larvae differ from the composition of their pollen diet

Pollen and nectar consumed by honey bees contain plantsecondary metabolites (PSMs) with vital roles in plant–insect interactions. While PSMs can be toxic to bees, theycan also be health-promoting, e.g. by improving pesticideand pathogen tolerances. As xenobiotics, PSMs undergopost-ingestion chemical modifications that can affect theirbioactivity and transmission to the brood. Despite theimportance of understanding honey bee…

An approach to protected designation of origin (PDO) for bee honey utilizing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)

A methodology designed to monitor vegetation changes over multiple years in the vicinity of an apiary is presented. This approach relies on the utilization of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The findings of the analysis substantiate the viability of effectively tracking vegetation changes in a cost-efficient manner, thereby facilitating the determination of suitable geographical…