The Newbee Journal

11/12/2025

Free webinar

The Texas Apiculture Program invites you to join us for an exciting webinar!

“Norroa: A Novel Approach to Varroa Mite Control!"
Featuring Adam Pachl from GreenLight Biosciences, who will share new insights and research on this innovative solution for Varroa management.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge strategies to support honey bee health and fight Varroa destructor!

📅 November 14, 2025
🕕 6:00 PM CST

✅ Registration required: https://streamyard.com/watch/2VHtskucgyck

11/06/2025

I guess we are trying this! The efficacy of a simple natural treatment compared to Formic Acid, it is absolutely worth it for us to try.

The document discusses a study evaluating the effectiveness of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) as an eco-friendly alternative for controlling the Varroa destructor mite in honeybee colonies, highlighting its potential benefits for bee health and sustainability in beekeeping.

**Efficacy of Stinging Nettle Against Varroa Mites**

- Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) shows potential as a control agent for Varroa destructor in honeybee colonies.
- Two application methods were tested: 20% w/v ethanolic extract spray and 10 g dried plant smoke.
- Both methods were compared to formic acid, a conventional treatment, in terms of efficacy and bee health.

The Stinging Neddle efficacy: extract= 88.93% , smoke= 76.28% no dead bees
Formic Acid=100% kills some bees, known to sometimes affect or even kill queens.

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor poses a significant threat to honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies, leading to substantial losses in the beekeeping industry worldwide. This study evaluated the efficacy of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) as a potential control agent for Varroa mites. Two app...

10/24/2025

The NJ Department of Agriculture and USDA released the statement about the swarm carrying the Tropilaelaps and another mite which was present on a cargo ship to arrive to a NJ port. Disclosing the event and remediation.

08/03/2025

Another research on bee nutrition, great findings, we hope it can be translated to better strategies to feed our bees, optimize their nutrition to give them a better immunological advantage.

08/01/2025

Thank you!

Derek Mitchell and Etienne Tardif

08/01/2025

🌟 A day to Remember – A Huge Thank You 🌟

We just had the honor of hosting an incredibly illuminating interview with Dr. Derek Mitchell, with the participation of Etienne Tardif—a true meeting of minds that explored the physics of beekeeping, hive thermodynamics, natural nest design, bee behavior, and so much more.

What was intended to be a conversation turned into a nearly 3-hour masterclass that challenged conventional thinking and revealed insights that every beekeeper—novice or expert—should hear.

🎥 While the full interview is available on our YouTube channel, we understand that 3 hours is a big ask in today’s fast-paced world. So we’re working on editing the interview into a series of shorter, topic-specific videos that will be easier to digest and revisit.

🙏 To Derek Mitchell: Thank you for sharing your groundbreaking research and your time. Your work is visionary, and it was a privilege to give it a platform.

🙏 To Etienne Tardif: Your contribution added a brilliant layer of depth. The synergy between both of you was beyond inspiring.

🐝 We’re just getting started—beekeeping is so much more than boxes and frames. It’s a world of complex biology, physics, and cooperation with nature.

Stay tuned for the edited series, and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for updates!

With deep gratitude,
Javier Delgado

06/25/2025

Not good news for northern states.

🐝 Africanized honey bees, often referred to as "killer bees," are wreaking havoc across the U.S.

In the last three months alone, a man mowing his property died after a bee attack, three people were taken to the hospital after tree trimmers disturbed a colony, hikers ran a mile to get away from an agitated hive and a woman and bees spooked by a lawn mower swarmed three horses. The horses later died from "thousands" of stings, their owner said.

Scientists say the bees' temperament is a defense mechanism to ward off predators – and note that because honey bees die after stinging, they are sacrificing themselves to protect their colony. They've been known to follow their victims for up to a mile – even following cars and trucks – and can sting through regular beekeeping gear. bit.ly/44gsjQK

06/03/2025

Yet another reason to love our girls. Here is a link to the publication. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32923684/

02/15/2025

Excellent news!

https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/method-cryopreserves-bee-semen/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIc1TNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVVK4MTXFE18cnAdiIH80AR-lVhLNKNoQa-M_ym11-KWxxr_fTcjfXLvpg_aem_4KE3Mn9k9bkCKZwXgEL8qw

Belgian scientists have developed a simple method to cryopreserve the semen of drones, the male equivalent of honey bees (Apis mellifera).

12/09/2024

Very interesting. From Dr. Rangel's lab.

https://www.facebook.com/share/8N5me2WwMQFe3GTm/

Background The Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, is an economically important pollinator, as well as a tractable species for studying the behavioral intricacies of eusociality. Honey bees are currently being challenged by multiple biotic and environmental stressors, many of which act concomitantly....

12/06/2024

Can't wait to see one!

Scientists have discovered a new species of mining bee in Texas and Oklahoma that is blue.