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What Are Zombie Flies? A Beginner’s Guide
Zombie flies are tiny insects that parasitize arthropods like honey bees. These phorid flies lay eggs inside their victim, which develop into larvae and feed off the host’s insides. Bees impacted by zombie flies are called…
Stinger Showdown! 11 Terrifying Bee & Wasp Stingers
Bees and wasps rely on stingers to keep themselves safe. Some also use this weapon to kill hapless victims for their next meal. Are you dying to find out which bee or wasp has the longest…
17 Honey Bee Threats – Pests, Predators, Disease
Honey bees are generally peace-loving insects, focused on building out their hives and preparing for winter. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have to face a slew of threats in their short lives. In this article,…
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 of the bee’s stinger shows a…
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 bee anatomy and what makes it…
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 Nepovirus genus and can cause significant…
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 oligoleges that prefer a narrow range…
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 cells. The uncapped cells result from…
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 internal waste, they have no choice…
What Is Colony Collapse Disorder? Research Update 2024
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 brood, queen bee, and a small…
What Is A Top Bar Hive? A Beekeeper’s Guide 2024
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 hive addresses some of the common…
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. The infection is classified as a…
What Is Cloudy Wing Virus? A Beekeeper’s Guide
Cloudy wing virus (CWV) is an unclassified viral infection that affects honey bees (Apis mellifera). This little-studied disease produces unproductive bees that typically die within a few days of contraction. CWV is commonly diagnosed in hives…
What Is Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus?
Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) is a highly infectious viral disease that affects adult honey bees (Apis mellifera). Sick bees experience chronic paralysis towards the end of the infection and typically die within one week of…
What Is Kashmir Bee Virus? A Beekeeper’s Guide
Kashmir bee virus (KBV) is a disease that impacts honey bees at all stages of development. While healthy hives often keep this infection under control, it has a greater impact on weak hives. KBV is a…