Platform for beekeeping practice and know-how

The European honey bee, also known as the honey fly (Apis mellifera), is a domesticated honey bee species native to Europe. It is considered semi-domesticated. It is one of the bee species bred on a large scale for honey production.

Like any living organism, the honey bee can become ill. The beekeeper must remain vigilant, as a disease can have serious consequences, especially if it is a so-called “notifiable contagious disease” (MRC). A beekeeper who has been practising this activity for many years will immediately detect even the slightest anomaly in the hives. For a beginner, however, it is often very difficult to identify a disease; this is why they must be much more observant, considerably more inquisitive, and always very attentive to what is happening on the landing board.

Propolis is a complex material, composed mainly of resins derived from various plant species, but also containing variable amounts of wax produced by the bees themselves.

by DALILA BOVET

Personality in animals can be discussed when consistent individual differences are observed over time and expressed across different contexts. Some bees prove to be more attracted to novelty than others. These behavioural differences are based on genetic variations. Can we therefore conclude that bees have a personality?

September often appears as a second, short spring 
 
This saying reminds us that after the heat and drought of the two preceding months, the return of rain—while sunshine remains abundant and warm—allows vegetation to resume growth. Flowers are present, and foraging bees bring in nectar and pollen. In recent years, this “spring” has extended into October.

The Geneva-based naturalist became one of the greatest specialists on bees of his time without being able to see them: he was blind and conducted his research through the eyes and hands of his faithful assistant, François Burnens.

The quality of syrups used for winter feeding of bees is very often at the centre of lively discussions.
What should be the main qualities of a syrup:

• A composition close to that of honey
• Easily assimilated by the bee
• Requiring minimal energy for conversion and storage
• Good solubility (no crystallisation)
• Good stability (no fermentation)
• High purity and appropriate viscosity

A honey bee colony cannot exist without a queen. She is the only fertile female individual in the colony. Normally, there is only one mated adult queen per hive. She is usually the mother of most, if not all, of the bees in the hive. Through the pheromones she secretes, the queen is able to influence the bees of her colony. In addition, characteristics such as vitality, gentleness, swarming behaviour, disease resistance, and performance are largely determined by the queen.

This is a time of rest, and the key word is peace

Depending on the region, there may still be some fine days during which warmed bees will fly out. Then the long overwintering period begins. In the cluster, bees huddle around their queen. They take turns moving to the surface of the cluster, thereby sharing the energy expenditure.

<p>Left or right? Like humans, bees also show a preference. Australian researchers have recently discovered that bees can have a left- or right-side preference—affecting their flight decisions in order to avoid obstacles.</p>

<p>The human brain consists of two hemispheres that are roughly symmetrical in terms of morphology. Functionally, however, there is marked asymmetry: most of us are right-handed, and everyday objects are designed for right-handed users—the pair of scissors, the tape measure, the computer mouse, the guitar, the graduated jug, the fold-down writing tablet attached to an auditorium chair, the stock of a hunting rifle, the boomerang… not to mention the convention of the handshake.</p>

<p>A recent study reveals that while 50% of bees are not lateralised, 25% are right-biased and 25% are left-biased. One hypothesis proposed to explain this phenomenon is that swarm flight strategies are optimised, thereby avoiding a proportion of collisions.</p>
 

Our hives are severely affected by winter mortality. This cannot be attributed solely to beekeeping practices—far from it; however, in such a context, the only thing the beekeeper can do is to implement everything possible to ensure that colonies have, from the very beginning of spring, the vitality required for a strong resumption of brood rearing. The time when bees could develop almost on their own is over, and we do not know whether it will ever return. We therefore need to refine our practices in order to give colonies the best possible chances. This means considering the entire economy of the hive, starting as early as the beginning of July.