Apiculture is the human-managed practice of maintaining honey bee (primarily Apis mellifera) colonies for the purposes of pollination services, hive products, and research. It encompasses the design and operation of artificial nesting systems (hives), colony reproduction management (e.g., swarming control, queen rearing, and genetic selection), nutritional supplementation, and health management targeting parasites, pathogens, and environmental stressors. As a human activity, apiculture interfaces with agricultural systems, landscape management, and biosecurity regulation, and provides an experimental framework for studying social insect biology, ecotoxicology, and the impacts of climate and land-use change on pollinator populations.
America's bees and beekeepers are losing a valuable ally just when they need its help most. The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to soon close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a 6,500-acre agricultural research ...
Ecology
May 26, 2026
1
17
There is not yet much research on the effects of heat waves on bees. What little there is focuses on super extremes of weather that would kill an adult bee.
Ecology
May 26, 2026
0
11
Beekeepers and their honeybees can be invaluable participants in environmental surveys, according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Jennifer Shelton of the UK Center for Ecology & Hydrology and colleagues.
Plants & Animals
May 20, 2026
0
6
In a lot behind a disused West Virginia gas station at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, Roy Funkhouser is surrounded by about a dozen beekeepers and countless buzzing bees.
Ecology
May 19, 2026
1
70
We know introduced honeybees as the ever-busy helpers of our gardens, farms and orchards.
Ecology
May 4, 2026
0
8
The ability to detect viruses and other harmful pathogens is highly advantageous for animals, as it can guide their behavior and prevent them from illness, and—in severe cases—death. When it comes to species that live in ...
The rising popularity of urban beekeeping has raised concerns about honeybee well-being and the impact they might have on wild bee populations in cities. A collaborative study by beekeepers, political stakeholders and research ...
Ecology
Apr 29, 2026
0
208
Southern California is home to a flying black-and-yellow treasure. While commercial honeybee hives nationwide are collapsing under attack from deadly parasites, a unique hybrid bee found only in this part of the state has ...
Plants & Animals
Apr 10, 2026
0
297
North America's bee populations are in trouble, but don't blame the honey bees. While some people argue that an overabundance of managed honey bees—those raised to help pollinate crops and produce honey—is causing native ...
Ecology
Apr 9, 2026
0
13
Every spring, Canadian beekeepers await the arrival of queen bees crucial to their industry. The queens that populate Canadian bee colonies through the season largely do not come from Canada at all.
Plants & Animals
Mar 29, 2026
0
101
