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Honeybee colony losses increased for winter 2012-2013
Days after a federal honeybee health report release, preliminary survey results on colony survival this past winter show nearly one-third of the managed hives died.
The Bee Informed Partnership, which collaborates with the Apiary Inspectors of America and receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, released a brief analysis May 7 of its seventh honeybee colony loss survey.
A survey analysis indicates a loss of “31.1% of managed honey bee colonies in the United States.”
Watch for invasive pests
Dirty boots from a field trip or plants purchased over the Internet from a company thousands of miles away rank among ways invasive diseases and pests spread.
April being National Invasive Plant, Pest and Disease Month means use caution.
Imported red fire ant (Scott Bauer, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org)
Wild bees pollinate better
Two reports from The Nature Conservancy find that wild honey-
bees do a better job of pollinating crops than managed colonies.
The studies found that "wild bee pollination nearly doubled” mature fruits or seeds compared to managed honeybees.
Wild honeybees pollinate crops more effectively (Photo: Joe Berger, Bugwood.org).
Tomatoes raised for needy
The U.S. Composting Council, a nonprofit based in Bethesda, Md., has kicked off a Million Tomato Compost Campaign.
The Campaign seeks to raise one million tomatoes grown in composted soil - in one season.
Communities can aid hungry through Million Tomato Compost Campaign.
Honeybee health report out
A U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicates that many factors, not just one, contribute to honeybee colony deaths.
Bee hive manage-ment practices, pests, pesticide exposure, pathogens and nutritional deficiencies all play a role.
Many factors affect honeybee health (David Cappaert, Michigan State U., Bugwood.org).
2013 strawberries arrive
SUFFOLK, Va. - During a week officially kicking off the state’s farmers markets season, many strawberry growers here opened their fields later.
Unlike last year with unseasonably warm temps, this year growers faced cooler temps.
Ripe and new strawberries at Greene’s Straw-berry Farm.
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