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Most bees don’t die after stinging – and other surprising bee facts

Retrieved on:

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Well, Bee, Stinger, Ant, Male, Anatomy, Attitude, Sting, Death, Skin, Honey, Apis, Animal, Wasp

But maybe we also felt a tinge of regret, or vindication, knowing the offending bee will die.

Key Points:

But maybe we also felt a tinge of regret, or vindication, knowing the offending bee will die.
Only eight out of almost 21,000 bee species in the world die when they sting.
To understand the intricacies of bees and their stinging potential, we’re going to need to talk about the shape of stingers, bee genitals, and attitude.

Our beloved, and deadly, honey bees

Native to Europe and Africa, these bees are today found almost everywhere in the world.
They are one of eight honey bee species worldwide, with Apis bees representing just 0.04% of total bee species.
We could say they die for queen and colony, but the actual reason these bees die after stinging is because of their barbed stingers.
Beyond that, bees and wasps (probably mostly European honey bees) are Australia’s deadliest venomous animals.

So what is a stinger?

A stinger, at least in most bees, wasps and ants, is actually a tube for laying eggs (ovipositor) that has also been adapted for violent defence. This group of stinging insects, the aculeate wasps (yes, bees and ants are technically a kind of wasp), have been stabbing away in self-defence for 190 million years. You could say it’s their defining feature.

The sting of the European honey bee is about as painful as a bee sting gets, scoring a 2 out of 4 on the Schmidt insect sting pain index.
On the flipside, most bee species can sting you as many times as they like because their stingers lack the barbs found in honey bees.

Can you tell who’s packing?

Globally, there are 537 species (about 2.6% of all bee species) of “stingless bees” in the tribe Meliponini. We have only 11 of these species (in the genera Austroplebeia and Tetragonula) in Australia. These peaceful little bees can also be kept in hives and make honey. Stingless bees can still defend their nests, when offended, by biting. But you might think of them more as a nuisance than a deadly stinging swarm.
Australia also has the only bee family (there are a total of seven families globally) that’s found on a single continent. This is the Stenotritidae family, which comprises 21 species. These gentle and gorgeous giants (14–19mm in length, up to twice as long as European honey bees) also get around without a functional stinger.
The astute reader might have realised something by this point in the article. If stingers are modified egg-laying tubes … what about the boys? Male bees, of all bee species, lack stingers and have, ahem, other anatomy instead. However, some male bees will still make a show of “stinging” if you try to grab them. Some male wasps can even do a bit of damage, though they have no venom to produce a sting.

Why is it always the honey bees?

So, if the majority of bees can sting, why is it always the European honey bee having a go?
First, the European honey bee is very abundant across much of the world.
So those hardworking European honey bees are really putting in the miles.

A complicated relationship

We have an interesting relationship with our European honey bees.
They can be deadly, are non-native (across much of the world), and will aggressively defend their nests.

Amy-Marie Gilpin receives funding from Western Sydney University and Horticulture Innovation Australia.
She is also a member of the IUCN Wild Bee Specialist Group Oceania.

FirstBank's Go Green Campaign Donates $60K To Three Planet-Friendly Nonprofits

Retrieved on:

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Organization, Health, Environmentalism, River, First Bank, Environment, Food, Apis, Water, Bank, Recycling

"We’re proud to support One Tree Planted, Western Resource Advocates and Project Apis m., and their work to improve our communities and the environment.

Key Points:

"We’re proud to support One Tree Planted, Western Resource Advocates and Project Apis m., and their work to improve our communities and the environment.
$23,000 donated to Project Apis m. to support honey bee health and solutions to promote sustainable pollination and food supply.
"By collaborating, we have the ability to inspire impactful change by educating others of the importance of our cause."
To learn more about FirstBank’s commitment to doing what’s right for communities and the planet, please visit https://www.efirstbank.com/esg.

US Department of Agriculture Identifies SteraMist iHP Technology as Potential Solution for Honey Bee Colony Collapse

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

The study aimed to determine if the use of cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) can reduce the infectivity of DWV to naïve honey bee pupae.

Key Points:

The study aimed to determine if the use of cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) can reduce the infectivity of DWV to naïve honey bee pupae.
Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a widespread pathogen of Apis mellifera (Western and European) honey bees and contributes to the collapse of established honey bee colonies.
The findings confirmed the efficacy of iHP as a fast and effective method for pathogen decontamination of deformed wing virus in honey bee substrate.
Shane, COO of TOMI stated “These results validate the significant potential of iHP as a revolutionary technology for preventing honey bee colony collapse and subsequently protecting the global food system.

Australian ant honey inhibits tough pathogens, new research shows

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Honey, Science, Allergy, Apis mellifera adansonii, Bee, Life, Infection, Stroke, Honeypot, Enzyme, Plant, Protein, Gold, Hydrogen peroxide, Animal, Soil, Ant, Common, Nature, Apis, Water, Aphid, Yeast, First Nations, Growth, Environment, Family, Peptide, Vaccine, Animal husbandry, Wine, Cochineal, Agriculture, Food preservation, Wasp

While most honey comes from honey bees (Apis mellifera), other insects such as stingless bees, wasps and even ants can produce honey-like products from plant nectar.

Key Points:

While most honey comes from honey bees (Apis mellifera), other insects such as stingless bees, wasps and even ants can produce honey-like products from plant nectar.
One of these insects is the honeypot ant Camponotus inflatus, found throughout the central desert region of Australia.

Pots of gold

Within these colonies, certain worker ants known as “repletes” serve as living food stores.
The repletes are fed by other members of the colony, who forage for nectar and honeydew in the environment.
The repletes cough up some honey in response, and the other workers then distribute it throughout the colony.

Honeypot ants in First Nations culture

Danny Ulrich of the Tjupan language group, operator of Goldfields Honey Ant Tours in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, says
For our people, honey ants are more than just a food source.
Digging for them is a very enjoyable way of life.
For our people, honey ants are more than just a food source.

Not your usual honey activity

We compared this to two well-studied bee honeys with anti-microbial properties: manuka honey from New Zealand, and jarrah honey from Western Australia.
However, honeypot ant honey retained most of its activity even after we removed all the hydrogen peroxide.
These can be destroyed by heat, and when we heated the honeypot ant honey to 90℃ for 10 minutes it lost most of its antimicrobial activity.

Evolution of antimicrobial activity in the insect world

Intriguingly, we found honeypot ant honey was particularly effective against some pathogens we consider to be quite “tough”.
We suggest the evolutionary pressure imposed by these soil microorganisms has resulted in the potent, selective antimicrobial activity of honeypot ant honey.

Science catches up with Indigenous knowledge

Due to the cultural significance of the ants, and challenges with rearing them at a commercial scale, it is not feasible to domesticate honeypot ants for honey production.
However, honeypot ant honey may provide valuable insights for the development of useful new antimicrobial peptides.
Kenya Fernandes conducts research on honey bees and medicinal honey supported by the NSW Government under the Bushfire Industry Recovery Package.

The feral flying under the radar: why we need to rethink European honeybees

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Male, Honey, Food, Industry, Apis mellifera adansonii, Bee, Woodlands, Agriculture, Mammal, Tree, Pollen, Livestock, Toxicity, Pheromone, Plant, Radar, Animal, Time, Apis, Pollination, Poisoning, Environment, Bird, Farm, Hunting, Varroa, NSW

Contrary to popular opinion, in Australia, feral colonies of the invasive European honeybee (Apis mellifera) are not “wild”, threatened with extinction or “good” for the Australian environment.

Key Points:

Contrary to popular opinion, in Australia, feral colonies of the invasive European honeybee (Apis mellifera) are not “wild”, threatened with extinction or “good” for the Australian environment.
But we need to move feral bees out of the “too hard” basket.
So now is the time to rethink our relationship with the beloved European honeybee and target the ferals.

What makes a hive feral?

European honeybees turn feral when a managed hive produces a “swarm”.
This is a mass of bees that leaves the hive seeking a new nest.
Feral honeybees have successfully invaded most land-based ecosystems across Australia, including woodlands, rainforests, mangrove-salt marsh, alpine and arid ecosystems.

Are feral bees useful in agriculture?

So reducing feral honeybee density would benefit both honey production and the crop pollination industry, which is worth A$14 billion annually.
Improved management of feral honeybees would not only help to limit the biosecurity threat, but increase the availability of pollen and nectar for managed hives.
Read more:
Hear me out – we could use the varroa mite to wipe out feral honey bees, and help Australia's environment

What are our current options?

If the current parasitic Varroa mite infestation in NSW spins out of control, it may reduce the number of feral hives, with benefits for the environment.
Targeted strategies to remove feral colonies on a small scale do exist and are being applied in the Varroa mite emergency response.
Taken together, there are currently no realistic options for the targeted large-scale removal of feral colonies across Australia’s vast natural ecosystems.

Where to now?

Given the substantial and known threats they pose to natural systems and industry, the time has come to develop effective and practical control measures.
Not only do we need to improve current strategies, we desperately need to develop new ones.
One promising example is the use of traps to catch bee swarms, and such work is underway in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.
For example, the practice of using pheromones to capture cane toad tadpoles might be applied to drones (male bees) and swarms.

Press release - Pesticides: Public hearing with pesticide firms on toxicity studies

Retrieved on:

Monday, July 17, 2023

Environment committee MEPs will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to query the disclosures by pesticide firms of the results of toxicity studies.

Key Points:

Environment committee MEPs will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to query the disclosures by pesticide firms of the results of toxicity studies.
Parliament’s Committees on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is hosting a public hearing with the authors of the study, industry representatives, and officials from other EU institutions about the potential shortcomings in the EU’s authorisation procedure.
On the same day, before the public hearing, MEPs will also debate related issues with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
At 17.00, following the pesticides hearing, MEPs will debate EFSA’s recent scientific assessment of glyphosate.

Help, bees have colonised the walls of my house! Why are they there and what should I do?

Retrieved on:

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Or noticed a buzzing noise coming from inside the house?

Key Points:

Or noticed a buzzing noise coming from inside the house?
If this sounds familiar, a colony of European honeybees (Apis mellifera) may be making their home in your walls.

Are they honeybees?

Honeybees are often the culprits, but European wasps (Vespula germanica) also occasionally build their nests inside human-made structures.
Their nests have a papery appearance and are made from chewed-up plant fibres.
Solitary native bees such as carpenter bees, blue banded bees and teddy bear bees do not live in colonies.

How did they get there?

In preparation, the queen bee lays eggs in special cells known as “queen cells”.
The larvae in these cells are fed with royal jelly, which helps them develop into new queens.
Once the new queens emerge, the old queen leaves the hive accompanied by a substantial number of worker bees.
Now homeless, the house-hunting bees gather together in a tight cluster called a “swarm ball” on a nearby object.

What will the honeybees do to my house?

Dealing with honeybees in the home

If honeybees have taken up residence in your home, ask a professional, such as a beekeeper, to remove them.
Do not attempt to remove the bees yourself; this could be dangerous.
Spraying insecticides or repellents into your walls may not kill all the bees and could trigger aggression.
Even if the insecticide does kill the colony, the dead bees, wax and honey will decay and melt, creating a bigger mess and attracting pests.

Prevention is key

Seal cracks or holes in exterior walls and put fly screen mesh over outdoor vents.
Beekeepers can prevent swarms happening in the first place by making sure they manage their hives appropriately.
She co-founded and works with Invertebrates Australia, a conservation organisation dedicated to the conservation of insects and other invertebrates.

Justin's Is Nuts for Bees

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 2, 2023

Honey, Partnership, Food, Diet, Bee, Education, Marketing, M, Garden, Colony, Biting, Flower, Pollen, Research, Xerces Society, Plant, Pesticide, Climate change, Apis, Love, Justin, Fresh water, Pollination, Health, Social media

BOULDER, Colo., June 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Justin's, a category leader known for crafting delicious, real food products that contribute to the world in a positive and meaningful way, today launched a new campaign aimed at educating people about the important role pollinators play in our food system. In partnership with the National Honey Board, Justin's invites fans to visit JustinsNutsAboutBees.com to learn how pollinators help ensure foods like almonds and other ingredients in JUSTIN'S® products are available for years to come, along with simple ways we can all help support the bees. By taking a digital pledge to plant for pollinators during June's National Pollinators Month, all participants will be automatically entered in a Justin's giveaway for a chance to win buzzworthy prizes valued at more than $3,500.

Key Points:

In addition to gathering nectar to produce honey, honey bees perform a vital second function - pollination, making them a critical component of today's agricultural market.
"Honey bees, beekeepers, and the honey industry are direct contributors to the success of American agriculture.
Put a shallow basin of fresh water with marbles or rocks in it for the bees to land on outside your home.
Donate to an organization dedicated to helping protect and promote honey bees and other pollinators.

TransAstra Secures Multiple Awards, Furthering Sutter Telescope Technology Developments

Retrieved on:

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Sutter, U.S. Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, Telescope, Patent, Apis, Optimal matching, Government, NASA, SBIR, Software, Spacecraft, United States Department of Defense

In addition to a NASA Phase 1 SBIR and a U.S. Space Force Phase 1 SBIR award received in December, the latest awards—each worth $1.25 million—focus on the company's Sutter TM telescope technology for space domain awareness and tracking spacecraft.

Key Points:

In addition to a NASA Phase 1 SBIR and a U.S. Space Force Phase 1 SBIR award received in December, the latest awards—each worth $1.25 million—focus on the company's Sutter TM telescope technology for space domain awareness and tracking spacecraft.
One of the DoD awards will be used to adapt TransAstra's Optimized Matched Filter Tracking (OMFT) technology for use in existing telescopes in space.
The second award will be used to mature the software and approaches to full operational readiness in ground-based telescopes.
TransAstra will also upgrade the operational maturity of TransAstra's two existing compound telescope systems.

Justin's Goes Nuts for Bees for National Honey Month

Retrieved on:

Thursday, August 25, 2022

BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Justin's, a category leader known for crafting real food products that contribute to the world in a positive and meaningful way, today announced its continued support of Honey Saves Hives - a campaign from the National Honey Board to educate consumers on the important role honey, honey bees and beekeepers play in our day-to-day lives. Honey Saves Hives is the latest collaboration among Justin's ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts, which, in addition to pollinator conservation, include sustainable packaging and ingredients and hunger relief. Together, the goal of these initiatives is to make the world a more resilient, well-fed place. In an effort towards ongoing transparency, Justin's also announced the release of its annual 2021 Justin's Corporate Social Responsibility Report, which outlines progress in each of Justin's CSR areas.

Key Points:

"We are honored to continue our partnership with the National Honey Board's Honey Saves Hives campaign for the third year in a row, as we both share a common mission of protecting honey bees and our food supply.
We're nuts for bees and collectively, we can all help save the pollinators."
The National Honey Board's Honey Saves Hives campaign educates consumers on the various ways they can help protect and preserve pollinator populations, including by purchasing select made-with-honey products, like JUSTIN'S Honey Almond Butter and JUSTIN'S Honey Peanut Butter , during National Honey Month this September and beyond.
"We hope that our collective actions during National Honey Month will help elevate consumer awareness on the importance of honey bees, and share how a simple action, like purchasing products made with honey, can make a meaningful difference," said Margaret Lombard, chief executive officer, National Honey Board.