Concerned by the continuing threat of the invasive, non-native Yellow-legged Asian Hornet the British Beekeepers' Association is urging everyone to stay alert, get informed and be ready to report any sightings. www.bbka.org.uk/news/yellow-...

The key objective was to enhance the knowledge and skills of women bee farmers with support from the British High Commission through the Animal Health System Strengthening Project (AHSS) and the UK’s Defra. gna.org.gh/2025/05/wome...

Results demonstrate the remarkable precision of individual bee navigation and illustrate the potential of this new drone-based tracking method to illuminate fine-scale behavioral mechanisms across a spectrum of honeybee ecology and cognition. www.cell.com/current-biol...

This study demonstrated that different wavelengths of light and combinations significantly affect the locomotor activity of honey bees. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

colossal bee sculpture in the Colombia is currently being evaluated by Guinness World Records as the world's largest bee structure. Standing 46 feet high & 56 feet long, the reinforced concrete monument that was recently unveiled to the public. weather.com/nature/wild-...

This study reveals significant chemical variation in the composition of the venom glands of V. v. nigrithorax [yellow-legged Asian hornet] workers, both between colonies and according to their activity at a given time. journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

BBKA next Zoom Talk: ‘Honey Bees and Wild Bees: how they live together’ with Cathy Horsley, Devon Wildlife Trust. Tuesday, 17 February, 7:00 PM Link has been sent to association for circulation to members.

Buying a nucleus colony (nuc) As spring slowly approaches, thoughts, especially for newer beekeepers, can turn to acquiring bees. This updated National Bee Unit guidance gives good advice. www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...

Today is Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday). What better way to feast than with some delicious local honey.

The frequency of patients who are sensitized to Vespa Velutina venom but not protected by Vespula venom immunotherapy could be higher than previously reported. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Plan to offer support to owners of private property who need to hire pest control to deal with invasive species, environment minister says www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/l...

The BBKA Spring Convention benefits from the fantastic facilities offered at Harper Adams University. The excellent provision complements this three day celebration of beekeeping. 17th -19th April 2026, at Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

Many associations are scheduling talks on yellow-legged Asian hornets to raise awareness. Preparation & plans for how to respond to incursions can be beneficial. BBKA Member Hub, National Bee Unit & GB Non-native species secretariat websites all contain valuable resources

The British-Irish Council recently held a webinar on yellow-legged Asian hornets. A recording of the event can be found here. vimeo.com/1164385193/e...

This National Bee Unit document may also be helpful understanding factors in colony failure www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...

Bees Abroad & The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers have a fundraising event on the evening of Wednesday 11 March, shortly after International Women’s Day. Details/tickets: donorbox.org/events/90325...

What's the worst beekeeping advice you have ever been given?

Nikolai Nasonov, Russian zoologist, was born this day in 1855. He was the first person to identify and describe the gland on worker honey bees which has taken his name. The behaviour of Nasonov fanning can often bee seen at hive entrances or after a colony has swarmed.

Have you started your shopping list for the Trade Show at the BBKA Spring Convention? So many exhibitors to speak to and buy from. Just £6 on-the-day, or included in a 3-day or Saturday Convention entry wristband. For more information please see: www.bbka.org.uk/spring-convention-trade-show

Legend has it that St. Valentine was a beekeeper & had a great love for the creatures. He was known for his gentle & caring treatment of the bees, & it is said that he would often talk to them and bless them with his prayers.

Happy Valentine's Day honey 🐝❤️

Damp is widely seen as a bigger threat to wintering bees than cold. 2026 has certainly been damp, are you noticing any impacts on colonies apart from lack of any early foraging opportunities? Photo courtesy David Mitsides

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice was recently revised to reflect the establishment of Varroa destructor in parts of Australia. This summary outlines what beekeepers must do to be compliant. extensionaus.com.au/professional...

"How can we best support pollinators in urban areas? We set out to answer this question by synthesising evidence from research carried out across Europe." www.bumblebeeconservation.org/news/helping...

The BBKA is delighted to welcome back Professor Robert Paxton to the Spring Convention, with three lectures to look forward to. Lectures cannot be booked in advance. For more details, please see www.bbka.org.uk/springconvention '

These findings suggest that swimming behavior in bees evolved before sociality and serves important adaptive and ecological functions. However, environmental pollution from excessive pesticide use may negatively impact this behavior. www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Scientists find that signaling between two neurotransmitters can predict whether and how quickly honey bees respond to new information www.eurekalert.org/news-release...

Looking for a great Valentine's Day gift? How about a jar of delicious local honey directly from a beekeeper 🍯

New South Wales [Australia] Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has confirmed through testing that there is a population of varroa mites with pyrethroid resistance honeybee.org.au/ahbic-indust...

Results from analysis to identify areas with higher risk of overwintering Yellow Legged Hornets. 32 nests destroyed on or after 30 Sept. Map highlighting the nests destroyed in 2025 below, coloured according to risk level. 32 high risk nests, 35 medium risk and 95 low risk.

The European Beekeeping Association webinar - Invasive Hornets Wed Feb 11 @ 6:00pm (CET). [6pm CET = 5pm GMT] Speakers: Alexandros Papachristoforou “The Oriental Hornet Xesus Feás “The Asian Hornet Registration link: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... ebaeurope.eu/new-webinar-...

Webinar: Combatting the Threat of Asian Hornets Across These Islands Date: Wednesday, 11th February 2026 Time: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Registration link: invasives.ie/webinar-comb...

This study contributes to our growing understanding of how anthropogenic disturbance may alter critical pollinator behaviours, which in turn, may impact ecosystem function as bees are keystone species in many environments. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

In the journal iScience, doctoral candidate Valerie Martin and biology faculty mentor Robert Schaeffer examine how a yeast influences nectar-robbing behavior in bumble bees. www.usu.edu/today/story/...

As colonies emerge from winter symptoms that can be linked with Nosema can sometimes be seen. Advice on Nosema and Amoebic dysentery can be found in the links below. www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/... www.nationalbeeunit.com/diseases-and... Photo: © Crown copyright Kirsty Stainton (APHA)

"Currently there is no single method…that can say that this honey is fake honey," Dr Majtán explains. He says that we desperately need new methods. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

BBKA 2026 Zoom Talks 17 Mar Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Lucie Chaumeton 21 Apr 'Four Basics' Jamie Ellis 19 May Practical Swarm Collection Gerry Stuart 16 June Hive in July Jack Silberrad 21 July Artificial Sterols Jan Bogaert 18 Aug Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet Peter Kennedy

APHA’s NBU advisory booklet on the common pests, diseases, and disorders of adult honey bees has been updated www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

BBKA next Zoom Talk: ‘Honey Bees and Wild Bees: how they live together’ with Cathy Horsley, Devon Wildlife Trust. Tuesday, 17 February, 7:00 PM Link has been sent to association for circulation to members.

And so it begins 🐝

Applications for the BBKA General Husbandry Assessment & also the Bee Breeding Assessment close on Sun 28th Feb Details: memberhub.bbka.org.uk/login/index.... Contact your local association Exams Secretary for more advice. Applications for the March sitting of BBKA modules close today

What pollinator friendly plants are out in your area?

How beekeepers feel in February, especially this damp year 🙂

BBKA Spring Convention bookings have been busy for a week now. Places remain on many workshops & seminars Lectures are not pre-bookable Meeting new beekeepers & old friends is a big part of the event 17th -19th April, Harper Adams University, Shropshire www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...

Prioritising the deployment of stronger colonies is proposed in order to improve pollination outcomes and beekeepers’ revenues and to reduce the number of colonies that are transported. www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/17...

This research aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of A. mellifera colony growth in wooden and insulated Langstroth hives under varying environmental conditions. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Invasives.ie are holding an online webinar on Wed 11th Febr 2026 at 2.30pm entitled ‘Combatting the Threat of Asian Hornets Across These Islands’. Speakers: Dr Pete Kennedy Chris Issaac Nigel Semmence John Kelly Details & to register: invasives.ie/webinar-comb...

An award is being made of €345,541 to Dr. Grace McCormack at the University of Galway for a project entitled ‘Sustainable Ways to Advance Reproductive Management in Honey Bees (SWARM)’. www.agriland.ie/farming-news...

The results open up a potential opportunity for comparison with other early warning indicators of collapse, such as signs of approaching tipping points. royalsocietypublishing.org/rsif/article...