Bumble bees tongues (proboscis) fall into 2, sometimes 3 different categories depending on their length. As the name implies, long-tongued bees have a much longer proboscis than short-tongued bees. According to research, this is significant. Not only does it determine the manner in which bees feed and what they feed. It also has an environmental…
Bumble bees nesting habits are essential to the environment, as without them there would be a decline in the pollination of plants and flowers. Without these pollinating insects, biodiversity would suffer significantly, leading to major ecosystem disruptions. Therefore it is important to protect bumble bees and their habitats in order to preserve both natural ecosystems…
The life cycle of Bumble bees is different from that of honey bees and also differs slightly depending on the species. Most bumble bee species are social insects and create colonies with a single queen. However, their colonies are much smaller than honey bee colonies. They can be as small as 50 individual bees but…
Bumble bees (or bumblebees) are some of the most recognizable and beloved of all bee species. With their cute, distinctive fluffy yellow to orange and black fur markings, they often appear in cartoons and movies. Bumblebees are famous for their peculiar, ‘bumbling’ flight patterns, and their characteristic buzzing sound where the Latin name Bombus (literally…
Moving a hive of bees is a delicate process that requires careful planning and execution. By considering the safety of both the bees and their handlers, and taking steps to minimize disruption to the existent hive environment, you can successfully move your hive with relative ease. Whether the hive needs to be moved a short…
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…
Mining bees, scientifically known as ‘Andrena’, belong to a large group of solitary, ground-nesting bee species. Andrena is Greek and means as much as ¨buzzing insect¨. Other names include Bare-Miner Bees, Fairy Bees, Oxaeine Bees, Burrowing Bees, Digger Bees, and Andrenids. These friendly little creatures are non-aggressive and usually do not sting or bite. The…
Leafcutter bees are a unique species of solitary bee, from the genus Megachile and Megachilidae family. These fascinating insects are important pollinators for a variety of plants and work with great efficiency. They get their name from their habit of cutting out semi-circular pieces of leaves. What do they look like? Leafcutter bees vary…
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…
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently approved the world’s first ever vaccine against American Foulbrood (AFB) for honeybees. This offers beekeepers an effective solution to protect their colonies from American Foulbrood disease. What is American Foulbrood Disease? American Foulbrood (AFB) is a highly contagious and dangerous bacterial disease affecting bee colonies. It is…