Posts Tagged: varroa mite

UC Davis Scientist Will Discuss Disarming Defenses of the Varroa Mite

Honey bee scientists,  beekeepers and other bee enthusiasts are especially looking forward to this UC Davis seminar. UC Davis environmental toxicologist/biochemist Sascha Nicklisch will discuss how to disarm the defenses of the...

A varroa mite on a foraging honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A varroa mite on a foraging honey bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

If Honey Bees Fascinate You, Think About Becoming a CAMBP Certified Apprentice Assistant

If honey bees fascinate you, you might want to take the first step toward becoming affiliated with the UC Davis-based California Master Beekeeper Program (CAMBP) by applying online to become an apprentice assistant. Applications close Jan....

Can you find the queen bee? (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Can you find the queen bee? (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Can you find the varroa mite on this worker bee? She is nectaring on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Can you find the varroa mite on this worker bee? She is nectaring on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee heading toward lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Honey bee heading toward lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Are the Bees Doing? ABF Conference in Reno

How are the bees doing? When the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) meets Jan. 9-13 at the Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, Nev. for its 75th annual American Beekeeping Federation Conference & Tradeshow, the key concern is bee health. Sadly, colony...

A varroa mite (see reddish-brown spot under the wing) clings to a bee foraging on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A varroa mite (see reddish-brown spot under the wing) clings to a bee foraging on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

When Varroa Mites Hitch a Ride

Those blood-sucking varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are considered the No. 1 enemy of beekeepers. In powerful numbers and weakened colonies, they can overwhelm and collapse a hive. We remember seeing a varroa mite attached to a foraging honey bee one...

A varroa mite attached to a honey bee forager. It's the reddish brown spot near the wing. The bee is foraging on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A varroa mite attached to a honey bee forager. It's the reddish brown spot near the wing. The bee is foraging on lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Bumble bee, Bombus californicus, with a hitchhiking varroa mite. (Photo by Allan Jones, Davis)

Bumble bee, Bombus californicus, with a hitchhiking varroa mite. (Photo by Allan Jones, Davis)

Varroa mite on a carpenter bee. (Photo by Allan Jones, Davis)

Varroa mite on a carpenter bee. (Photo by Allan Jones, Davis)

Smell Like a Bee

Newly published research by a Michigan State University-led team indicates that one of the reasons why the varroa mite is so destructive is because it infiltrates hives by smelling like a bee. The parasitic mite, or Varroa destructor, is...

Questions about the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), enemies of honey bees, are often asked at the Linnaean Games. This varroa is on a drone pupa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)Mite on drone pupa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Mite on drone pupa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A varroa mite is visible on this forager. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A varroa mite is visible on this forager. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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