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Ellingsenius fulleri is the most frequently encountered pseudoscorpion species of the family Cheliferidae in South Africa. This arthropod is considered a predator of small mites and wax moth larvae found in debris at the bottom of beehives. They often attach themselves to the legs of bees and thus appear to spread to other colonies.

To unravel the mysteries of crystallization, the authors explore the world of science and delve into the heart of the product: principles of chemistry and physics, together with a measure of common sense, are essential to understand it and to highlight the different factors that can influence it.

Some flowers produce a blue halo on their petals to attract pollinators

Acquired and controlled through evolution, a degree of “disorder” in the nanometric structure of the petals of many flowers allows for more efficient pollination.
Researchers have discovered that some flowers have developed an additional strategy to encourage insects to forage on them. An ultraviolet halo effectively attracts pollinators.

Image: Ursinia speciosa, like other flower species, produces a blue halo on its petals to attract pollinators. © Edwige Moyroud

Monoecious deciduous tree or shrub. The flowers are unisexual, yellow-green, and arranged in racemes or panicles. The samara (fruit) consists of two seeds joined in a helical shape and is dispersed by wind. Species of importance for bees include: sycamore maple (A. pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (A. platanoides), and field maple (A. campestre).

Summer treatment in mating nucs is a major challenge, as the methods recommended by the CRA and the SSA for production colonies are very difficult, if not impossible, to apply. Because the climate within the colony is hard to assess due to the large number of bees confined to a small space, formic acid, for example, is almost impossible to dose correctly.

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a feared pest of honey bee colonies; both adults and larvae feed on honey, pollen, and preferably brood. European countries had so far been considered free of the small hive beetle. Reports from September 2014 concerning the detection of Aethina tumida in southern Italy are alarming and also require increased vigilance from Swiss beekeepers, as well as regular inspection of their own bee colonies.

Although the wax moth has a very bad reputation, beekeeping manuals often underestimate the damage caused by the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella and the lesser wax moth Achroea grisella, which consume everything that comes within reach of their mandibles (wax, food reserves, pollen stores, wood, polystyrene—not to mention the brood!). It is commonly assumed that strong colonies can defend themselves very easily against wax moths … but this is not always the case. In fact, wax moths reproduce very rapidly, and the larvae of the greater wax moth feed on capped brood, sheltered from counter-attacks by worker bees. As a result, the bee population may decline, as may the colony’s defences against this formidable pest. Selection for overly gentle bees and the pheromonal mimicry of the wax moth, which imitates queen pheromones, can ultimately lead to colony collapse.

Despite these harmful effects, it should be emphasised that wax moths fulfil an important hygienic function, especially in the context of “poor” beekeeping practices. They destroy abandoned bee nests and return the recovered materials to the natural cycle. In this way, pathogens responsible for diseases such as American foulbrood and European foulbrood are also eliminated.

As its name suggests, May disease generally occurs in May, but it may also appear as early as April or somewhat later, in June. It mainly affects nurse bees when they do not have sufficient water to digest pollen. Cold weather accompanied by dry northeasterly winds favours the onset of the disease. In addition to water shortage, the bacterium Spiroplasma apis or certain types of pollen may also trigger May disease. Scientists assume that the disease is caused by a combination of different factors.

Formic acid is highly corrosive. Its handling requires great caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

A mesh screen prevents bees from climbing into the evaporator. This makes inspection easier.

Today, many so-called “probiotic” products are available on the market, intended to improve our health or sometimes even that of our livestock, such as bees¹. Probiotics are formulations based on microorganisms that maintain beneficial relationships with their host. The purpose of this article is to provide elements for reflection in order to understand how such products might potentially contribute to combating diseases of the honey bee.

With this method, all brood, including the varroa mites it contains, is removed from a production colony in July. Brood frames from two to three colonies are combined to form a new unit. Complete brood removal replaces the first summer treatment with formic acid. The second summer treatment must be carried out as usual.