- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Let's pay special tribute to the servicemen and women who left the family farm to serve in our military. They were the farmers who fed the nation. And they became soldiers who defended our nation, much like guard bees defending their hives from intruders.
The late Harry Hyde Laidlaw Jr., (1907-2003), a noted professor at the University of California, Davis, was both a beekeeper and a military veteran. Harry spent his late boyhood and teen years in southeastern United States, working as a beekeeper with his grandfather. "Although he had never completed elementary school, he was able to enroll as a special student at Louisiana State University," according to a a UC memorial tribute. "In 1934 he completed a master's degree in entomology, and from there he went on to earn a Ph.D. in genetics and entomology from the University of Wisconsin in 1939."
Laidlaw went on to become renowned as "the father of honey bee genetics." (See his interview on Aggie Videos.)
But he was also an Army veteran. In 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, commissioned, and served as the Army entomologist for the First Service Command in Boston, Mass. "He didn't see any war action, but I think he fought mosquitors on a base in Newfoundland," remembers his daughter Barbara Laidlaw Murphy. "Later he was stationed in Boston and that's how he met my mother. He stayed in the reserves and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel."
If you visit the UC Davis bee biology facility, the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility located on Bee Biology Road, west of the central campus, you'll see a sign memorializing him. The sign, the work of Davis-based artist Donna Billick, creatively includes a hole in the skep for bees to tunnel to a hive located in back. For years we saw bees entering with pollen, leaving to get more, and guard bees on duty. Due to liability issues, the hive is no longer there, but there are plenty of hives in the apiary behind the building.
Bees and veterans go well together. Take the Hives for Heroes, a national, non-profit organization founded in 2018 in Houston, Texas, to help America's military veterans by getting them involved in beekeeping. Hives for Heroes focuses on honey bee conservation, suicide prevention, and a healthy transition from service. As their website says: "As a 501(c)3, Hives for Heroes gives back to veterans looking to start their beekeeping journey. Our organization is run by volunteers looking to serve those veterans who have selflessly served our country."
Our military veterans guarded and defended our nation. Now, in caring for their colonies in their newly acquired beekeeping roles, they can watch bees guard and defend their hives.
![A sign in front of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis includes a skep with a hole tunneling to a hive in the back. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) A sign in front of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis includes a skep with a hole tunneling to a hive in the back. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/87213.jpg)
![A guard bee defending her hive from possible intruders. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) A guard bee defending her hive from possible intruders. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/87216.jpg)
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology faculty and director of the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMPB) teaches classes with her lab associates throughout much of the year.
Participants agree that the classes are "the bees' knees," a phrase which means they're excellent, of the highest quality.
One of the most recent classes, "Planning Ahead for Your First Hives," drew the maximum of 23 participants at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility on Bee Biology Road.
The group spent a Saturday learning all about honey bees via lectures and hands-on activities.They learned bee biology, components of the hive, where to place the hive, and how to plan for their first hive--all under the tutelage and watchful eyes of the two Niños: Elina Lastro Niño and husband/beekeeper Bernardo Niño, who is the CAMPB educational program supervisor and a staff research assistant in the E. L. Niño lab.
Then the participants donned bee veils and stepped outside to the apiary to learn hive inspection basics. They returned to the classroom for lunch and a Powerpoint presentation on "Keeping Bees Year-Around."
Highlights included opening a hive and engaging in queen wrangling, hands-on activities (holding a frame and identifying the queen, worker bees and drones), and varroa mite monitoring. The participants also examined several different types of the hives in the apiary, including the traditional Langstroth hive, Kenya top bar hive or horizontal top bar-hive, Warré hive and a flow hive. The short course ended with a session on "Save us from the hive intruders!" and a question-and-answer period.
The next day CAMPB hosted another short course, this one on "Working Your Colonies." Participants learned what is necessary to maintain a healthy colony. Lectures covered advanced honey bee biology, honey bee integrated pest management, and products of the hive. The group also learned about queen wrangling, honey extraction, splitting/combined colonies, and monitoring for varroa mites.
Both courses drew maximum enrollment. "The classes were excellent," commented Wendy Mather, program manager of CAMPB. "We received really great feedback and the participants were thrilled to get the in-hive experience. And we got to sample some melipona honey (from stingless bees) from the Yucatán, as one of our participants had recently returned from a trip there."
The participants "now have some science-based knowledge and skills about honey bees and beekeeping that they can confidently share," Mather said. CAMPB uses science-based information to educate stewards and ambassadors for honey bees and beekeeping.
Next Class: Varroa Mite Management Strategies
The next beekeeping class? "Varroa Mite Management Strategies" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 13 at the Laidlaw facility. Participants will learn how to monitor, mitigate and manage the pests.
"Current beekeeping challenges call for all beekeepers to have a solid understanding of varroa mite biology and management approaches," said Elina Lastro Niño, in describing the course. "We will dive deeper into understanding varroa biology and will devote majority of the time to discussing pros and cons of various means to monitor, mitigate, and manage this crucial honey bee pest."
Niño, who serves as the state's Extension apiculturst, is known for her expertise on honey bee queen biology, chemical ecology, and genomics. She holds a doctorate in entomology from Pennsylvania State University (PSU), where she served as a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Christina Grozinger, director of the PSU Center for Pollinator Research.
The course, limited to 20 participants, will cover varroa biology, treatment options and chemical-free options. Participants are to bring their bee veil or suit. The $200 registration fee covers the cost of course materials, lunch and refreshments. The last day to register is Monday, Oct. 7. Click here to register.
The eight-legged varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is an external parasite that attacks and feeds on honey bees. The female is reddish brown, while the male is white. They measure 1–1.8 mm long and 1.5–2 mm wide. Originating in Asia, varroa mites are now found throughout most of the world. Scientists first detected the pest in the United States in 1987.
For more information on the varroa mite course or other CAMPB courses, access the website or contact Mather at wmather@ucdavis.edu.
/span>/span>![A student in the UC Davis class, A student in the UC Davis class,](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62785.jpg)
![Close-up of a frame. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) Close-up of a frame. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62786.jpg)
![Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño opens a hive as the students gather around. (Photo by Kathy Katley Garvey) Extension apiculturist Elina Lastro Niño opens a hive as the students gather around. (Photo by Kathy Katley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62787.jpg)
![Participants in the UC Davis class, Participants in the UC Davis class,](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62788.jpg)
![UC Davis research assistant Bernardo Niño examines a frame. He is the educational supervisor for the California Master Beekeeper Program, which conducts bee classes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UC Davis research assistant Bernardo Niño examines a frame. He is the educational supervisor for the California Master Beekeeper Program, which conducts bee classes. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62790.jpg)
![A hive in the foreground is teeming with bees. In the background, students in a UC Davis class learn about bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) A hive in the foreground is teeming with bees. In the background, students in a UC Davis class learn about bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/62791.jpg)
- Author: Anne Schellman
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Pests have popularity contests too. We recently looked at how many visits our popular Pest Notes publication series received in 2017.
If you aren't familiar, the UC IPM Pest Notes series are science-based publications written and reviewed by experts on specific pest or management topics for California. UC IPM has 169 Pest Notes with some being more popular than others.
Here are the 20 most visited titles in 2017:
1- Carpet Beetles
2- Peach Leaf Curl
Backyard peach and nectarine trees often suffer from peach leaf curl, a common fungal disease in California. The disease causes curling and deformation of peach and nectarine leaves and if left uncontrolled for multiple years, the tree may eventually die. Read more about it in the Pest Notes: Peach Leaf Curl.
3- Aphids
Warm weather means populations of aphids continue to live and breed, and you may be seeing these insects on your roses and other plants already this season. Learn about their fascinating life cycle and best management tactics at Pest Notes: Aphids.
4- Clothes Moths
The larvae of this moth attacks wool clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, furs, and much more. If you think you might have this pest, consult the Pest Notes: Clothes Moths for help.
5- Scales
Many people overlook scales on their plants because they don't look like normal insects. Scales have strawlike mouthparts and suck juices from plants, sometimes leading to damage. Learn about the many different types of scales, host plants, and how to manage them at Pest Notes: Scales.
6- Thrips
7- Spider Mites
Spider mites thrive during dry, dusty conditions and usually escape detection until large populations build up and create copious webbing that covers plants. Luckily, there are natural enemies of spider mites that help keep their populations in check, including the western predatory mite. Learn management techniques at Pest Notes: Spider Mites.
8- Whiteflies
Whiteflies are small, flying insects that can attack a number of garden and landscape plants. They usually occur in groups on the undersides of plant leaves and excrete a sticky honeydew that may be covered with sooty mold. Find out more about this garden pest at Pest Notes: Whiteflies.
9- Fire Blight
In spring, some fruit tree shoots may appear burnt, a symptom of fire blight. This disease causes flowers, shoots, and young fruit to shrivel and turn black. Some trees are more susceptible to fire blight. Read about this disease in the Pest Notes: Fire Blight.
10- Fungus gnats
11- Leaffooted Bug
Leaffooted bugs are not new to California, but recently some areas have seen an increase in their presence and feeding damage. Learn more about this odd-looking bug and what it eats in Pest Notes: Leaffooted Bug.
12- Rats
Rats in your home and garden are destructive and can transmit disease. If you suspect the presence of rats, you'll first need to determine which of the two species (Norway rat or the roof rat) you have in order to effectively manage them. Find out by reading Pest Notes: Rats.
13- Ground Squirrel
14- Widow Spiders
Many people are afraid of black widow spiders and any spider that resembles them. Some spiders that look like black widows are actually harmless or less venomous relatives. Learn how to differentiate between them by reading the Pest Notes: Widow Spiders and Their Relatives.
15- Bed Bugs
Reports of bed bugs have been on the rise for the past few years. They are blood-sucking creatures that inspire revulsion in most people. If you travel, you'll want to know what bed bugs look like and how to avoid bringing them home with you. Read the Pest Notes: Bed Bugs and watch the related videos on this topic.
16- Bark Beetles
Bark beetles are small, about the size of a grain of rice, but in large numbers their larvae can do significant damage when they mine galleries just beneath the outer bark of trees. To learn more about bark beetles and their impact, visit the Pest Notes: Bark Beetles.
17- Pocket Gophers
You spot fresh mounds of soil in your garden or landscape. Could it be gophers? These small mammals can cause a lot of damage in a very short time when they feed on numerous plants, or when they gnaw on plastic water lines and sprinkler systems. Find out how to tell if it's a gopher mound and learn management tactics by reading the Pest Notes: Pocket Gophers.
18- Soil Solarization
Gardeners looking for a nonchemical way to control pathogens, nematodes, and weed seeds and seedlings may want to try soil solarization. This method is best done during the hot summer months. Learn how to use this technique by consulting the Pest Notes: Soil Solarization for Gardens & Landscapes.
19- Honey Bee Swarms
At times, large populations of between 5,000 to 20,000 honey bees can be found swarming around an urban area or a hive after taking up residence in your house. A swarm can be frightening but with correct management, it can be taken care of safely with the hive being saved. Learn how to get proper help by reading the Pest Notes: Removing Honey Bee Swarms and Established Hives.
20- Lyme Disease
Lyme disease can be transmitted to humans and pets from the bite of an infected western blacklegged tick. It can cause flulike symptoms that left untreated, may progress to arthritic, neurologic, or cardiac problems. Learn more about Lyme disease and how to safely remove a tick, and where to take a tick sample by reading the Pest Notes: Lyme Disease in California.
- Author: Ben Faber
By: Carey Gillam, Reuters
Honey bees, critical agents in the pollination of key U.S. crops, disappeared at a staggering rate over the last year, according to a new government report that comes as regulators, environmentalists and agribusinesses try to reverse the losses.
Losses of managed honey bee colonies hit 42.1 percent from April 2014 through April 2015, up from 34.2 percent for 2013-2014, and the second-highest annual loss seen, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a report issued on Wednesday.
"Such high colony losses in the summer and year-round remain very troubling," Jeff Pettis, a USDA senior entomologist, said in a statement.
The 2014-15 yearly loss was down slightly from the 45 percent annual loss for 2012-2013 but well above the prior two years of annual measurements and above the benchmark of 18.7 percent that is considered economically unsustainable, USDA said.
Millions of honey bees are relied on to pollinate plants that produce a quarter of the food consumed by Americans. Beekeepers travel the country with managed hives to help the process.
But over the past few years, bee populations have been dying at a rate the U.S. government says must be addressed, and finding an answer has become a politically charged debate.
Beekeepers, environmental groups and some scientists blame a class of insecticide known as neonicotinoids, or neonics, used on crops such as corn as well as on plants used in lawns and gardens.
But Bayer, Syngenta and other agrichemical companies that sell neonic products say many factors such as mite infestations are harming the bees.
The White House has formed a task force to study the issue, and some lawn and garden retailers have been cutting use of neonics.
The Environmental Protection Agency is requiring a series of studies on neonic effects on bees and plans to issue the first of a series of assessments later this year.
The USDA report issued on Wednesday said colony losses were 23.1 percent for the 2014-15 winter months, typically the higher loss period. The 2014 summer loss of 27.4 percent marked the first time summer losses exceeded winter, and marked a surge from the 2013 summer loss of 19.8 percent, USDA said.
The results are considered preliminary and are based on survey responses from about 6,100 beekeepers managing 400,000 colonies, USDA said. Those beekeepers represent nearly 15.5 percent of 2.74 million U.S. bee colonies. A more detailed report is to be published later this year, USDA said.
![honeybee at hive honeybee at hive](/blogs/blogcore/blogfiles/29629.jpg)