Pollinator diversity – there’s no “one fits them all”
People often ask me why we need so many bee species. There’s the honey bee, right? If you follow this […]
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous
Lithium chloride – the new silver bullet against Varroa
This week the news of a new silver bullet for the fight against the Varroa mite spread all over the
Bee Series, Miscellaneous
Social or solitary life-histories – some differences
Happy New Year! Last year finished in a rush and with the changes on my site, the last post on
Miscellaneous
Competition between honey bees and bumblebees
Competition between honey bees and wild pollinators is often an issue between beekeepers and conservationists. In some situations, beekeepers are
Bee Series, Miscellaneous
Diseases – do they influence bees’ pollination abilities?
Try to think of the last time you had a heavy cold. You felt weak and not really motivated to
Bee Series, Miscellaneous
Self-medication in bees – nutrition against parasites
Like any organism, bees have diseases. In honey bees, there are treatments against the Varroa mite. With other diseases, beekeepers
Miscellaneous
Floral ecology – the flower tells you what pollinator to expect
As a student I learned that bumblebee species differ in tongue length and that they visit mainly matching flowers. Since
Miscellaneous
Floral clock: flower rhythms and pollinator activity
Carl Linnaeus invented the floral clock – perhaps not his most famous accomplishment. But it’s a curious thing and, turning
Bee Series, Miscellaneous
Different nutrients for different bees
Bees rely on flowers to get the nutrients they need – both adults and larvae. Looking at bee nutrition more
Bee Series, Miscellaneous
Nectar robbing – feeding without return service
The relationship between bees and flowers is one of the best examples for mutualism: the flowers get pollinated and the