Members of a honey bee colony in Cuba.Photo: YAMIL LAGE/AFP (Getty Images) In the 1970s, laboratory honey bees generally lived for over a month. But now, according to new research published in Scientific Reports, lab-kept bees only live about two weeks. The halving of the insects’ lifespan (from 34.3 days in the 1970s to 17.7 … Read more
In a pink beekeeping outfit and boots emblazoned with honey bees, Alyson Shepherd inspects the hives at her Daisy Hill home under the watchful eye of the resident magpie. There are ornaments, solar lights and little plaques with positive messages, positioned in all sorts of nooks and crannies in the garden. It’s a life far … Read more
“Foster parents” who take care of native beehives in their own backyards have helped a Queensland macadamia nut farmer develop a pollination backup plan should the invasive varroa mite spread. Key points: Geoff Chivers has increased his number of native beehives from five to 150 in the past five years “Foster parents” take care of the bees … Read more
Backyard beekeeping is booming, but with the world’s worst bee parasite on our doorstep, could well-meaning enthusiasts bring down Queensland’s honey industry? Key points: The commercial honey industry is worried about varroa mite spreading through backyard beehives Recreational beekeepers are urged to register their hives with Biosecurity Queensland A Toowoomba lavender farm has started a bee sponsorship program … Read more
Up to 16,000 registered Victorian beehives that were stranded in southern New South Wales due to the varroa mite outbreak can now be returned home. Key points: North-west Victoria’s almond industry relies on beehives from multiple states to help with pollination Some Victorian hives currently in southern NSW will now be allowed to return home The industry … Read more
It will be an anxious few weeks for beekeepers and the billion-dollar Australian almond industry after a varroa mite outbreak in New South Wales put Australia’s annual almond pollination program at risk. Key points: Crop pollination in Australia is at risk from a deadly bee parasite discovered at the Port of Newcastle Varroa mite cripples bees’ ability to fly, gather … Read more
The destruction of hundreds of beehives in Newcastle and parts of New South Wales is underway as authorities work to control the spread of a deadly parasite. Key points: Authorities have started eradicating bee hives around the varroa mite detection site in Newcastle The department of Primary Industries destroyed 120 hives in Trangie yesterday, with another 300 … Read more
The destruction of hundreds of beehives in Newcastle and parts of New South Wales is underway as authorities work to control the spread of a deadly parasite. Key points: Authorities have started eradicating bee hives around the varroa mite detection site in Newcastle The department of Primary Industries destroyed 120 hives in Trangie yesterday, with another 300 … Read more
Tropical north Queensland’s wet weather would normally turn bees to mush, but one colony of hardy workers is being bred to make it through the wet season unscathed. Key points: Honey producers Doug and Janine Cannon are hoping to breed stronger and more resilient bees The focus is on ensuring bees are well-adapted to where … Read more
Logan’s dyslexia made it difficult for him to keep up in the classroom. But when a teacher’s aide suggested beekeeping, a switch inside him flipped. When a bee leaves its hive for the first time, the first place it looks is the sun. With an expanse of bushland before it, the sun is one of … Read more