How Do Honey Bees Sting? Anatomy Of A Stinger
The honey bee has a complex stinger designed to help defend the hive against threats. It looks much like a hypodermic needle, pointed and hollow under a microscope. A cross-section…
How Do Bees See? The Essential Guide To Bee Eyesight
This article contains an affiliate links, and we may receive a commission for purchases. Bee vision plays a vital role in the insect’s foraging, navigation, and communication. This guide explores…
What Is Tobacco Ringspot Virus? A Beekeeper’s Guide
Tobacco Ringspot Virus (TRSV) is a pathogenic virus that affects a wide range of plant species. It was first discovered in America’s tobacco fields in 1927. TRSV belongs to the…
Melittidae Bee Family – An In-Depth Guide
The Melittidae bee family is small group consisting of three subfamilies, fourteen genera, and just over 200 species. They are found in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Melittids are…
What Is Bald Brood? An Essential Beginner’s Guide
Bald brood is a relatively common problem that impacts the developing honey bee pupae. Beekeepers will observe linear rows of uncapped brood with the exposed larvae still developing in their…
What Is Honey Bee Dysentery?
Bee dysentery is a problem that affects honey bees. It is often observed by beekeepers during winter when the colony is confined to its hive. When bees accumulate too much…
What Are Zombie Flies? A Beginner’s Guide
Zombie flies are tiny insects that parasitize anthropods like honey bees. These phorid flies lay eggs inside their victim, which develop into larvae and feed off the host’s insides. Bees…
What Is Colony Collapse Disorder? Research Update 2023
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) occurs when most worker honey bees abruptly disappear from their hive. After the collapse, little or no dead bees remain near the entrance. The developing bee…
What Is A Top Bar Hive? A Beekeeper’s Guide 2023
Top bar hives are worth considering if you’re hunting for a beehive. They’ve been used for thousands of years, with modern versions gaining popularity since the 1960s. The top bar…
What Is Kakugo Virus? A Beginner’s Guide
The Kakugo virus is a subtype of the Deformed wing virus, typically affecting the worker bee’s brain. It causes aggressive behavior in honey bees, as you’d expect from guard bees….