Entomology

UGA Honey Bee Program

Honey bees have been a subject of teaching and inquiry at the University of Georgia for decades. These marvelous insects are manageable and used to produce honey and pollinate crops. They are practical models of biological organization and social behavior.

Honey bee research at the University of Georgia emphasizes sustainable bee health management as well as more basic questions on bee pollination and foraging ecology. In all its initiatives, the UGA Honey Bee Program aims to develop research, teaching and extension initiatives that are locally responsive while globally relevant.

Georgia 4-H Beekeeping

Each year, Georgia 4-H and the University of Georgia's Entomology Department organize the 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. This contest is a national competition offered by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. The University of Georgia's Entomology Department will determine the top three essays in Georgia and send the first ranked winner on to compete on the national level, competing against states across the nation. The national winner will be announced by May 1, 2012. For more information, visit the Georgia 4-H web site at www.georgia4h.org/beekeeping/.

Honey Bee Lab Pure Georgia Honey

Pure Georgia Honey from the Honey Bee Lab is sold at two locations: Athens Seed, Lawn and Garden, Inc. (54 Greensboro Hwy., Watkinsville, Georgia) and at the UGA Department of Entomology main office (room 413, Biological Sciences). Current varieties include Sourwood, Blueberry/ Blackberry, and Wildflower.

Africanized Bees Found In Georgia

Dr. Keith S. Delaplane:
Africanized Bees
Resource Information: html | pdf

Georgia Beekeepers Association: Africanized Bees: Press Release

News reports:

• Macon Telegraph
  
• Albany Herald
• The Epoch Times
  
  
  

How to ID Africanized Bees

The following test is based on the FABIS method developed by USDA. This is an abridged version and not robust enough for official purposes. However, it can be useful for roughly categorizing honey bees as "probably European" vs. "suspected Africanized."

"Quick and dirty AHB test"
Southeastern Regional Standards for Maintaining EHBs

Opinion

View from across the pond, (topic: Varroa mites), by Dr. Delaplane.