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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.
The production of F1 hybrid lines requires substantial prior selection work on pure lines from different populations, followed by crossbreeding tests of these pure lines. To achieve a maximal heterosis effect (see below), these lines must be highly distinct (by crossing different genetic pools, such as formerly geographically isolated origins). In addition, the desired traits must be introducible, which presupposes the availability of what geneticists refer to as a “reservoir of variability.”
A hive inspection should be prepared in advance to avoid omissions and to improve efficiency. Any inspection, even a brief one, disturbs the colony, which perceives it as an intrusion; the resulting stress causes the bees to consume between 0.5 and 1 kg of honey. Inspections should therefore only be carried out when necessary. The following tips make inspections more effective:
Recognising bee diseases and knowing effective control and prevention methods are sine qua non conditions for ensuring bee health and for good beekeeping practice. Diseases spread not only very rapidly within hives because of physical contact between worker bees and trophallaxis (the exchange of food between bees), but also between hives. Because bees can fly over long distances, rob neighbouring colonies, or drift into them, the risk that a large number of colonies and apiaries will be affected by a disease or an epizootic is significant. When one also considers the movement of hives by beekeepers and the high density of apiaries in Switzerland, the prevention of epizootics and diseases becomes even more important in bees than in other livestock animals, which can be quarantined more easily.
Bee packages – all similar, yet very different in their composition and use.
The preparation of bee packages is not a common practice in beekeeping, as it requires specific expertise that is rarely taught in beekeeping schools. Many online videos fail to provide all the information surrounding this technique, which often leads to unsuccessful outcomes when beekeepers attempt to put it into practice.
Although they are few in number, wild or feral colonies of A. mellifera mellifera do indeed exist in nature and are resistant to Varroa due to their small size, their tendency to swarm, the low density of the habitat, and probably through natural selection. Studies also show that these strains of black bees are pure, without hybridization. Consequently, researchers argue for the development of a conservation policy for these bee populations, because they constitute a wild taxon that is probably in decline, but also an interesting genetic reservoir from a beekeeping perspective.
The individual behavior of the honey bee is embedded in the overall management of the colony as a superorganism. Activity deep within the brood nest is now revealed thanks to the work of a research team that has developed a technology for digitally recording striking video footage. The intimacy of the colony is exposed down to the bottom of the comb cells: egg laying, larval hatching, care of open brood, and food storage appear in short videos, making it possible to visualize behaviors that had previously gone unnoticed.
The collapse of a colony is most often multifactorial. Based on four cardinal factors (lack of food, toxins, cold stress, parasites), the colony is subjected to stress, resulting in a reduced immune response and the development of infectious diseases (viral infections and nosemosis).
Cape ragwort (Senecio inaequidens) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae (or Compositae) family, native to South Africa, from where it was accidentally introduced through the wool trade. Its branched stem reaches a height of 40 to 60 cm and bears yellow flowers that bloom over a long period, from early summer through autumn, attracting bees mainly for their yellow pollen.
Asters are perennial herbaceous plants belonging to the Asteraceae (or Compositae) family. Their name derives from the Greek aster, meaning star or flower.
They are ornamental plants widely cultivated in gardens, with more than 250 species. Most originate from North America, some were introduced from Asia, while others are native to Europe.
There is no single correct beekeeping practice. However, there are rules based on common sense and on the experience of seasoned or professional beekeepers. While the queen is indeed the driving force of the colony, hive cleanliness, control of varroa mites, swarm-prevention strategies, the location of the apiary, and winter preparation are equally important for the healthy development of the colony with a view to achieving a good honey harvest.
Varroa is known to suck the haemolymph of bees. Well known, but apparently (largely) incorrect.
Researchers in the United States were intrigued by the magnitude of varroa’s impact on bee health in relation to the relatively small amount of haemolymph it extracts. Since insect haemolymph is comparatively poorer in nutrients than mammalian blood, they questioned how the parasite could develop on such a resource.
Faced with the current context—polluted environments, pesticides, climate change, varroosis, etc.—beekeeping is confronted with multiple challenges. However, this context does not explain everything. In order to act effectively, it appears necessary to address the “health aspect” of bee colonies in a holistic manner. This approach assumes that the biological functioning of bees is similar to that of other living organisms and that all these factors share the characteristic of being influenced by human actions. Such reflection should guide beekeeping interventions in a way that respects the health of the bees.
August is sometimes a lean month for bees in terms of resources. The abundant flowering period is over. The high temperatures of the second half of July and the first half of August have dried out the soils, thereby reducing nectar production.
Pollen is the male reproductive organ of flowering seed plants. All of these flowers are therefore capable of providing pollen to pollinating insects; however, certain flower pollens may be avoided by bees for various reasons.
The idea that an animal or a plant is merely the product of the genes inherited from its parents is increasingly being questioned. Until now, it was known that the environment can, sometimes to a non-negligible extent, influence the characteristics of living beings, in their appearance or behavior (the phenotype). It now appears that the imprint of the environment can in some cases be transmitted to subsequent generations without any modification of the genetic information itself. The set of mechanisms governing this heritable component influenced by the environment is referred to as “epigenetics”.
During May, a simple way to increase one’s apiary or to prevent swarming in an overly strong colony is to create a package bee swarm.
The main environmental determinants of caste development in bees arise from larval nutrition: royal jelly stimulates the differentiation of larvae into queens, whereas bee bread leads to the development of worker bees. However, these determinants have not yet been fully characterized.
Melliferous plants, apicultural plants, mellitophilous plants… all these terms refer to plants that are of interest to bees. But what do they really mean, and which term is the most appropriate?
Pollinators use precise cues to identify flowers rich in pollen or nectar: colour, scent … Researchers have discovered that bees are also sensitive to temperature variations between different parts of a flower. These “thermal patterns” enable them to locate the flowers richest in food.
