'Not enough' bees for crop pollination as parasite takes over

A new report warns of a massive pollination shortfall in Australia this year as varroa mite wipes out hives and forces beekeepers out.

Beetroot Family | Washburnseedbank

Massive underground mining bee colony discovered beneath historic New York cemetery

Researchers from Cornell University have uncovered an extraordinary underground bee colony living beneath East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York. The colony, belonging to the solitary mining bee species Andrena regularis, is estimated to include between 3 million and 8 million individuals, with an average population size of about 5.5 million bees. This makes it one of the largest known aggregations of its kind ever documented. The discovery originated in 2022 when a laboratory technician noticed unusual insect activity during a routine walk and brought samples to entomologists, who confirmed the species. To estimate the colony size, scientists conducted field sampling between March and May 2023 using small emergence traps placed over sections of soil. These traps captured thousands of insects, overwhelmingly dominated by the mining bee species. Extrapolating from the density of captured insects allowed researchers to estimate the full scale of the population spread across roughly 1.25 acres of cemetery land. The study also provided new insights into the species’ biology. Males emerge slightly earlier than females in spring, increasing mating opportunities during early warm periods. Females construct underground nests where they store pollen and nectar for developing larvae. Remarkably, adults overwinter underground, enabling rapid emergence in early spring, perfectly timed with the flowering of nearby apple orchards. The ecosystem also includes parasitic bees such as Nomada imbricata, which exploit the nests of the mining bees. Researchers emphasize that historic cemeteries can serve as critical refuges for wild pollinators due to undisturbed soils, minimal pesticide use, and stable habitats. Given that most bee species are solitary and ground-nesting, such environments may be more important for biodiversity than previously recognized. The findings have also inspired citizen science efforts aimed at identifying and protecting similar underground bee aggregations from urban development or accidental destruction.

Massive underground mining bee colony discovered beneath historic New York cemetery

Researchers from Cornell University have uncovered an extraordinary underground bee colony living beneath East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York. The colony, belonging to the solitary mining bee species Andrena regularis, is estimated to include between 3 million and 8 million individuals, with an average population size of about 5.5 million bees. This makes it one of the largest known aggregations of its kind ever documented. The discovery originated in 2022 when a laboratory technician noticed unusual insect activity during a routine walk and brought samples to entomologists, who confirmed the species. To estimate the colony size, scientists conducted field sampling between March and May 2023 using small emergence traps placed over sections of soil. These traps captured thousands of insects, overwhelmingly dominated by the mining bee species. Extrapolating from the density of captured insects allowed researchers to estimate the full scale of the population spread across roughly 1.25 acres of cemetery land. The study also provided new insights into the species’ biology. Males emerge slightly earlier than females in spring, increasing mating opportunities during early warm periods. Females construct underground nests where they store pollen and nectar for developing larvae. Remarkably, adults overwinter underground, enabling rapid emergence in early spring, perfectly timed with the flowering of nearby apple orchards. The ecosystem also includes parasitic bees such as Nomada imbricata, which exploit the nests of the mining bees. Researchers emphasize that historic cemeteries can serve as critical refuges for wild pollinators due to undisturbed soils, minimal pesticide use, and stable habitats. Given that most bee species are solitary and ground-nesting, such environments may be more important for biodiversity than previously recognized. The findings have also inspired citizen science efforts aimed at identifying and protecting similar underground bee aggregations from urban development or accidental destruction.

Riverside County Beekeeper Faces Widespread Losses After Verona Fire

A devastating wildfire in Riverside County, California, destroyed millions of bees owned by local beekeeper Brandon Teller. The Verona fire, which erupted on May 19 in the Juniper Springs area, caused extensive damage to Teller's apiary, burning 80 established hives and 16 rescued hives, resulting in an estimated loss of 3 to 4 million bees. Only nine hives survived, and they will require extensive rehabilitation. Teller's bees were primarily used for pollinating crops like almonds and for a bee removal service. The fire’s aftermath is expected to have ripple effects on local ecosystems and the bee removal industry. With all his bee boxes destroyed, costs for his services will increase, potentially leading more property owners to opt for extermination, which could harm native pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and wasps. In response, the local beekeeping community and neighbors have stepped in to support Teller, donating 30 hives to help rebuild his operations. Teller emphasized the importance of healthy ecosystems for both native insects and managed honeybees, highlighting the broader environmental impact of such fires beyond immediate property loss.

Riverside County Beekeeper Faces Widespread Losses After Verona Fire

A devastating wildfire in Riverside County, California, destroyed millions of bees owned by local beekeeper Brandon Teller. The Verona fire, which erupted on May 19 in the Juniper Springs area, caused extensive damage to Teller's apiary, burning 80 established hives and 16 rescued hives, resulting in an estimated loss of 3 to 4 million bees. Only nine hives survived, and they will require extensive rehabilitation. Teller's bees were primarily used for pollinating crops like almonds and for a bee removal service. The fire’s aftermath is expected to have ripple effects on local ecosystems and the bee removal industry. With all his bee boxes destroyed, costs for his services will increase, potentially leading more property owners to opt for extermination, which could harm native pollinators such as monarch butterflies, bumblebees, and wasps. In response, the local beekeeping community and neighbors have stepped in to support Teller, donating 30 hives to help rebuild his operations. Teller emphasized the importance of healthy ecosystems for both native insects and managed honeybees, highlighting the broader environmental impact of such fires beyond immediate property loss.

Bee spanking salvia plants - with video!

It’s no secret I’ve become obsessed with botany over the last two months. I’ve been going out since the beginning of spring and taking photos of plants as a way to learn identification. iNaturalist is a great application both for amateurs like me and actual scientists doing research, you take photos and upload them tagging time and place and optionally add an identification. Lamiaceae, the mint family I bought Botany in a Day by Thomas J Elpel and I’ve been trying to memorize and recognize the plants I see around me. Elpel’s book is based around learning taxonomic families of plants.

Losing pollinator insects puts human health at risk

"Our study shows that biodiversity is not a luxury—it is fundamental to our health, nutrition, and livelihoods."