What is Buzz Pollination? Buzz pollination is a unique process that some bees use to extract pollen from certain flowers. About 6% of flowering plant species have flowers with anthers that open through tiny pores or slits. To extract pollen from these specialized flowers, some bee species like bumble bees, have evolved a vibration technique…
Bee worker pheromones play a critical role in hive organization and productivity. Worker bees rely heavily on pheromones to communicate and coordinate their hive’s activities. These chemical signals act as a cohesive force, enabling bees to divide and execute tasks efficiently. The hive’s social organization is highly intricate, with each bee assuming a specific role…
Queen Pheromones The honey bee queen’s important role in regulating colony functions is achieved through primer pheromones. These pheromones, collectively known as the “queen signal,” are produced by various glands and induce physiological and behavioral changes in worker bees. The queen signal maintains the social hierarchy, upholds the queen’s reproductive dominance, and ensures the colony’s…
Have you ever wondered how a queen bee manages to organize her colony? The answer is queen pheromones, the most advanced form of communication in social insects. Pheromones are chemical substances bees secrete from their exocrine glands. When released into the environment they change the behavior and physiology of fellow bees. They play a crucial…
Apiphobia or ‘melissophobia’ (from Greek melissa meaning “honeybee”), is an irrational fear of bees and other stinging insects that is becoming more common in today’s society. The fear of bees among (non-phobic) adults is often due to a lack of knowledge. In the United States, most insect stings are actually caused by Yellow-jacket wasps. This…
Have you ever heard that ‘bees sense fear’? It’s an idiom that has been around for centuries, and it might sound strange – but there is some scientific evidence to suggest that it could be true! Most of us have probably witnessed the panic on someone´s face when they spot a bee buzzing around. The…
As a new beekeeper, one of the most important tools in your arsenal is a bee smoker. This tool helps keep you and your bees safe while you are managing your hive by helping to calm them when necessary. Learn seven essential tips that every beginner should know about using a bee smoker for the…
Attracting bumblebees to your garden is easier than you think! Whether you have a small window box, an allotment or a large garden, planting bee-friendly flowers can play an important role in supporting the local bumblebee population. No matter how much space you have available, you can make a difference by providing at least two…
Have you ever asked yourself the question of why babies should not eat honey? Honey has a sweet flavor and is a popular snack among adults and children. Although honey is a delicious, smooth treat, it can be dangerous for babies or infants under the age of one year. Botulism is a severe form of…
Pollinator Decline could kill Over 400K People annually according to a new study by Harvard scientists. A team of scientists led by Harvard scientist Samuel Myers, recently sought to quantify this ‘pollinator yield gap’. They used data from hundreds of experimental farms across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. The findings were published in the…