Common Name: Honey bee
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera L.
Order: Hymenoptera
Honey bees have several varieties or races and have been bred for honey production, temperament and resistance to disease. These varieties are somewhat variable in size and color; but are typically shades of black or brown intermixed with yellow.
Scientific Name: Apis mellifera L.
Order: Hymenoptera
Honey bees have several varieties or races and have been bred for honey production, temperament and resistance to disease. These varieties are somewhat variable in size and color; but are typically shades of black or brown intermixed with yellow.
Interesting facts about bees:
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The Threat of Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony collapse disorder is a mysterious malady affecting domestic honeybees that causes them to leave the hive and not return, leading ultimately to death of the colony. Much research has been conducted over the past decade to try to determine what is causing it; including investigations of pathogens, parasites, environmental toxins and even cell phone transmissions.
The total number of managed domestic honey bee colonies has decreased from 5 million in the 1940s to only 2.5 million today.
The following important updates are found on the United States Department of Agriculture website:
"Colony losses from CCD are a very serious problem for beekeepers. Annual losses from the winter of 2006-2011 averaged about 33 percent each year, with a third of these losses attributed to CCD by beekeepers. The winter of 2011-2012 was an exception, when total losses dropped to 22 percent.
" If losses continue at the 33 percent level, it could threaten the economic viability of the bee pollination industry. Honey bees would not disappear entirely, but the cost of honey bee pollination services would rise, and those increased costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher food costs. Now is the time for research into the cause and treatment of CCD before CCD becomes an agricultural crisis."
"The best action the public can take to improve honey bee survival is not to use pesticides indiscriminately. In particular, the public should avoid applying pesticides during mid-day hours, when honey bees are most likely to be out foraging for nectar and pollen on flowering plants.
In addition, the public can plant pollinator-friendly plants—plants that are good sources of nectar and pollen such as red clover, foxglove, bee balm, joe-pye weed, and other native plants." -USDA
For more information, please see the USDA WEBSITE LINK.
The total number of managed domestic honey bee colonies has decreased from 5 million in the 1940s to only 2.5 million today.
The following important updates are found on the United States Department of Agriculture website:
"Colony losses from CCD are a very serious problem for beekeepers. Annual losses from the winter of 2006-2011 averaged about 33 percent each year, with a third of these losses attributed to CCD by beekeepers. The winter of 2011-2012 was an exception, when total losses dropped to 22 percent.
" If losses continue at the 33 percent level, it could threaten the economic viability of the bee pollination industry. Honey bees would not disappear entirely, but the cost of honey bee pollination services would rise, and those increased costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher food costs. Now is the time for research into the cause and treatment of CCD before CCD becomes an agricultural crisis."
"The best action the public can take to improve honey bee survival is not to use pesticides indiscriminately. In particular, the public should avoid applying pesticides during mid-day hours, when honey bees are most likely to be out foraging for nectar and pollen on flowering plants.
In addition, the public can plant pollinator-friendly plants—plants that are good sources of nectar and pollen such as red clover, foxglove, bee balm, joe-pye weed, and other native plants." -USDA
For more information, please see the USDA WEBSITE LINK.