Beekeeping, Biology, & Other Bugs
Nectars are carbohydrates predominantly composed of three sugars: sucrose, glucose and fructose. The non-carbohydrate component is minor and differs by species in terms of amino
Written by: Entomologically
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
While researching how honey bees learn to forage I came across a paper titled “Beekeepers’ preferences for honeybee breeding goals: a French case study” and
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A honey bee colony’s immunity goes beyond combining the immune system of multiple individuals. When a hive exceeds the population threshold of “many bees nesting
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Insects lack an “adaptive” immune system. They don’t have the long-lived B- & T- cells that target specific pathogens and remember infections for future encounters.
Written by: Entomologically
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Honey bees are generalist foragers, meaning their diet consists of a variety of nutrients and microbials. Bees also feed one another trophallaxicaly (“mouth to mouth”),
Written by: Entomologically
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Apis mellifera drones take 24 days to emerge from the cell. They spend the next 8-12 days maturing in preparation for mating with a virgin
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Propolis is a combination of plant resins and wax used by worker bees inside the hive to mend cracks and defects, preserve the dead, and
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Worker bees secrete “jelly” from the hypopharyngeal glands located in their heads. Royal jelly is fed to all brood in the first few days after
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Diet, genetics and hive environment are what most beekeepers think of when assessing queen health, and fair enough, these are 80% of it. The other
Written by: Entomologically
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Backyard Beekeeping, Bees & Biology
Apis mellifera aims to maintains a stable colony temperature of ~36°C during environmental extremes. In hot weather, worker bees fan their wings, beard outside the
Written by: Entomologically
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