British Beekeepers Association
@bbka.org.uk
This is the page for the British Beekeepers' Association, a national charity supporting bees and beekeepers.
https://www.bbka.org.uk/
https://www.bbka.org.uk/
Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme - Framework for interrogation of honey authenticity databases
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Framework for interrogation of honey authenticity databases
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.
www.gov.uk
November 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme - Framework for interrogation of honey authenticity databases
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A project, commissioned under Defra’s Food Authenticity Programme, to develop a practical framework for the interrogation of honey authenticity databases.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by British Beekeepers Association
Hmmm … they're proposing breeding healthier bees by selecting a single gene. That sounds even less likely than selecting native Amm by wing morphometry alone. Vitellogenin is important, but I think they've yet to demonstrate fitness gains from my reading of the paper academic.oup.com/jee/article/...
AI-enhanced marker-assisted selection concept for the multifunctional honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidea) protein Vitellogenin (Vg)
Abstract. Managed honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apis mellifera L.) have experienced unsustainably high rates of annual loss driven by several interactin
academic.oup.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Hmmm … they're proposing breeding healthier bees by selecting a single gene. That sounds even less likely than selecting native Amm by wing morphometry alone. Vitellogenin is important, but I think they've yet to demonstrate fitness gains from my reading of the paper academic.oup.com/jee/article/...
This research covers the rich history... as well as more recent discoveries relating to consciousness in insects, specifically focusing on the following areas: emotions, the distinction of self and other, prediction, attention and active sleep.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
The exploration of consciousness in insects | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Consciousness is a state of subjective experience or awareness, e.g. of an emotion,
the self or external objects. In humans, this awareness is underpinned by a suite
of cognitive functions, from atten...
royalsocietypublishing.org
November 28, 2025 at 12:02 PM
This research covers the rich history... as well as more recent discoveries relating to consciousness in insects, specifically focusing on the following areas: emotions, the distinction of self and other, prediction, attention and active sleep.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
This research covers the rich history... as well as more recent discoveries relating to consciousness in insects, specifically focusing on the following areas: emotions, the distinction of self and other, prediction, attention and active sleep.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
The exploration of consciousness in insects | Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Consciousness is a state of subjective experience or awareness, e.g. of an emotion,
the self or external objects. In humans, this awareness is underpinned by a suite
of cognitive functions, from atten...
royalsocietypublishing.org
November 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
This research covers the rich history... as well as more recent discoveries relating to consciousness in insects, specifically focusing on the following areas: emotions, the distinction of self and other, prediction, attention and active sleep.
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...
The European Commission has adopted an EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help Member States reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030.
environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
Better monitoring to support restoration of EU pollinators
The Commission has adopted a new Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030.
environment.ec.europa.eu
November 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The European Commission has adopted an EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme to help Member States reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030.
environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
environment.ec.europa.eu/news/better-...
Nectar sources are often confined to limited amounts of liquid in the microgrooves of floral nectaries. In complete darkness, bees actively tapped their antennae to detect these microgrooves, and then rapidly aligned their body axis with these structures.
www.sciencedirect.com:5037/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com:5037/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Nectar sources are often confined to limited amounts of liquid in the microgrooves of floral nectaries. In complete darkness, bees actively tapped their antennae to detect these microgrooves, and then rapidly aligned their body axis with these structures.
www.sciencedirect.com:5037/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com:5037/science/arti...
"With our mature fruit trees, other native plants and surrounding farmers' land our garden is the perfect home for bees. We have eight hives plus a shed for extracting and storing honey.”
www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/rod-...
www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/rod-...
Rod Stewart makes his own honey from 320,000 bees in the grounds of his mansion
Rod, 80, and his wife Penny, 54, are making their own bee-juice from eight hives in the 18-acre grounds of their 10-bed Hertfordshire mansion
www.dailystar.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 9:44 AM
"With our mature fruit trees, other native plants and surrounding farmers' land our garden is the perfect home for bees. We have eight hives plus a shed for extracting and storing honey.”
www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/rod-...
www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/rod-...
Canadian beekeepers are sounding the alarm about Tropilaelaps, and a Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to change a long-standing policy on importing bees from the U.S. in response.
www.timescolonist.com/national-bus...
www.timescolonist.com/national-bus...
Beekeepers call for import ban on non-North American bees as deadly mite spreads
OTTAWA — Canadian beekeepers are sounding the alarm about a pest that's spreading in parts of Asia, and a Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to change a long-standing policy on impor...
www.timescolonist.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Canadian beekeepers are sounding the alarm about Tropilaelaps, and a Conservative MP is calling on the federal government to change a long-standing policy on importing bees from the U.S. in response.
www.timescolonist.com/national-bus...
www.timescolonist.com/national-bus...
Although Shabshir and Hissat Shabshir are home to fewer than 18,000 people, the two villages produce more than 70 percent of Egypt’s honey.
egyptianstreets.com/2025/11/24/i...
egyptianstreets.com/2025/11/24/i...
In Egypt’s ‘Capital of Beekeeping,’ Bees Build Livelihoods as They Lose Theirs
The sound of thousands of hives lining rooftops, gardens, and fields echoes in the small village of Shabshir al-Hissa in Egypt’s Nile Delta, where bees outnumber people. For years, the village has b
egyptianstreets.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Although Shabshir and Hissat Shabshir are home to fewer than 18,000 people, the two villages produce more than 70 percent of Egypt’s honey.
egyptianstreets.com/2025/11/24/i...
egyptianstreets.com/2025/11/24/i...
By linking the precise 3D structures of vitellogenin to honeybee genetics, scientists can identify the most resilient bee variants before they become adults.
deepmind.google/blog/breedin...
deepmind.google/blog/breedin...
Breeding Healthier Honeybees With AlphaFold
Learn how AlphaFold is helping scientists protect honeybees and speeding up breeding programs for healthier hives.
deepmind.google
November 27, 2025 at 10:31 AM
By linking the precise 3D structures of vitellogenin to honeybee genetics, scientists can identify the most resilient bee variants before they become adults.
deepmind.google/blog/breedin...
deepmind.google/blog/breedin...
There have been some reposts of late autumn colony losses this year. It would be interesting to know your experiences & possible reasons.
If colonies do die please close them up to prevent robbing until the hives can be dealt with fully
If colonies do die please close them up to prevent robbing until the hives can be dealt with fully
November 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
There have been some reposts of late autumn colony losses this year. It would be interesting to know your experiences & possible reasons.
If colonies do die please close them up to prevent robbing until the hives can be dealt with fully
If colonies do die please close them up to prevent robbing until the hives can be dealt with fully
The study found that hornet abundance was significantly lower around colonies protected with electric harps compared to those protected with muzzles or left unprotected.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
November 26, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The study found that hornet abundance was significantly lower around colonies protected with electric harps compared to those protected with muzzles or left unprotected.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The BBKA has sent an email to association for circulation to members regarding upcoming developments to the BBKA's website & online learning resources.
Please ask you association officers if you have not already received this information
Please ask you association officers if you have not already received this information
November 26, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The BBKA has sent an email to association for circulation to members regarding upcoming developments to the BBKA's website & online learning resources.
Please ask you association officers if you have not already received this information
Please ask you association officers if you have not already received this information
Following a record year for Asian hornet numbers in Jersey, volunteers are trialling new technology to help them find and track the invasive species.
Report includes a useful video
www.itv.com/news/channel...
Report includes a useful video
www.itv.com/news/channel...
www.itv.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Following a record year for Asian hornet numbers in Jersey, volunteers are trialling new technology to help them find and track the invasive species.
Report includes a useful video
www.itv.com/news/channel...
Report includes a useful video
www.itv.com/news/channel...
Bee suits can also do with a bit of TLC over the winter. A vital and hardworking bit of kit that's not cheap to buy and worth maintaining.
November 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Bee suits can also do with a bit of TLC over the winter. A vital and hardworking bit of kit that's not cheap to buy and worth maintaining.
The latest BBKA Spring Convention 2025 talk has just been released on YouTube.
Jane Medwell addresses the question of why bees swarm & is it an opportunity or a problem?
It looks at impacts of swarming, the swarming process & swarm prevention and swarm control.
www.youtube.com/live/m0fuv2Z...
Jane Medwell addresses the question of why bees swarm & is it an opportunity or a problem?
It looks at impacts of swarming, the swarming process & swarm prevention and swarm control.
www.youtube.com/live/m0fuv2Z...
Swarm Talk
YouTube video by British Beekeepers Association
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
The latest BBKA Spring Convention 2025 talk has just been released on YouTube.
Jane Medwell addresses the question of why bees swarm & is it an opportunity or a problem?
It looks at impacts of swarming, the swarming process & swarm prevention and swarm control.
www.youtube.com/live/m0fuv2Z...
Jane Medwell addresses the question of why bees swarm & is it an opportunity or a problem?
It looks at impacts of swarming, the swarming process & swarm prevention and swarm control.
www.youtube.com/live/m0fuv2Z...
Auckland, New Zealand
22 confirmed queen hornets found.
14 of the 19 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
22 confirmed queen hornets found.
14 of the 19 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
November 25, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Auckland, New Zealand
22 confirmed queen hornets found.
14 of the 19 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
22 confirmed queen hornets found.
14 of the 19 confirmed queen hornets were found with either developed nests or evidence of nesting.
Aston University's Dr Jonathan Cox and New Zealand Mānuka honey company Comvita have announced a significant milestone in their three-year research collaboration, with the filing of a new patent for a formulation to fight bacterial infections.
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
New Mānuka honey formulation shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria
Aston University's Dr Jonathan Cox and New Zealand Mānuka honey company Comvita have announced a significant milestone in their three-year research collaboration, with the filing of a new patent for a...
www.news-medical.net
November 25, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Aston University's Dr Jonathan Cox and New Zealand Mānuka honey company Comvita have announced a significant milestone in their three-year research collaboration, with the filing of a new patent for a formulation to fight bacterial infections.
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
www.news-medical.net/news/2025112...
Licenced oxalic acid (OA) products are often sold in amounts that, once made up, are are too much for many hobby beekeeper.
Some groups organise sharing schemes between members to save waste and reduce expense.
Always follow manufacturer's instructions & wear appropriate PPE when handling OA
Some groups organise sharing schemes between members to save waste and reduce expense.
Always follow manufacturer's instructions & wear appropriate PPE when handling OA
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Licenced oxalic acid (OA) products are often sold in amounts that, once made up, are are too much for many hobby beekeeper.
Some groups organise sharing schemes between members to save waste and reduce expense.
Always follow manufacturer's instructions & wear appropriate PPE when handling OA
Some groups organise sharing schemes between members to save waste and reduce expense.
Always follow manufacturer's instructions & wear appropriate PPE when handling OA
The National Bee Unit has recently update its Best Practice Guidance on Handling & Examining Bees.
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
November 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The National Bee Unit has recently update its Best Practice Guidance on Handling & Examining Bees.
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
Supersedure trigger.
This study shows that elevated virus infections shrink the queen’s ovaries, which causes a change in her methyl oleate pheromone component production. That pheromone shift signals to the workers that the queen is compromised
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
This study shows that elevated virus infections shrink the queen’s ovaries, which causes a change in her methyl oleate pheromone component production. That pheromone shift signals to the workers that the queen is compromised
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Elevated virus infection of honey bee queens reduces methyl oleate production and destabilizes colony-level social structure | PNAS
Pathogenic threats to reproductive individuals pose a profound challenge to the stability
of insect societies. In honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), s...
www.pnas.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Supersedure trigger.
This study shows that elevated virus infections shrink the queen’s ovaries, which causes a change in her methyl oleate pheromone component production. That pheromone shift signals to the workers that the queen is compromised
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
This study shows that elevated virus infections shrink the queen’s ovaries, which causes a change in her methyl oleate pheromone component production. That pheromone shift signals to the workers that the queen is compromised
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Winter can be a good time of year to look for apiary sites. The BBKA has a page to help set up mutual relationships across the UK between hosts, beekeepers
www.bbka.org.uk/offer-land-t...
www.bbka.org.uk/offer-land-t...
Offer Land to Bees
Would you like a hive on your land to make use of the forage available? Go here to offer your site to local beekeepers
www.bbka.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Winter can be a good time of year to look for apiary sites. The BBKA has a page to help set up mutual relationships across the UK between hosts, beekeepers
www.bbka.org.uk/offer-land-t...
www.bbka.org.uk/offer-land-t...
BBKA Spring Convention 2026
17 - 19 April
Please note the bookings opening date & time has been announced
Sunday 25 January @ 20.00
This is at a weekend to assist those working weekdays to access
www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...
17 - 19 April
Please note the bookings opening date & time has been announced
Sunday 25 January @ 20.00
This is at a weekend to assist those working weekdays to access
www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
BBKA Spring Convention 2026
17 - 19 April
Please note the bookings opening date & time has been announced
Sunday 25 January @ 20.00
This is at a weekend to assist those working weekdays to access
www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...
17 - 19 April
Please note the bookings opening date & time has been announced
Sunday 25 January @ 20.00
This is at a weekend to assist those working weekdays to access
www.bbka.org.uk/pages/catego...
The National Honey Show has just released a talk from the 2025 event.
Jackie Thomas outlines how Dover BKA's response to the yellow-legged Asian hornet has evolved over the past 3 years to improve its effectiveness and sustainability.
youtu.be/iHdxGVU8bQk?...
Jackie Thomas outlines how Dover BKA's response to the yellow-legged Asian hornet has evolved over the past 3 years to improve its effectiveness and sustainability.
youtu.be/iHdxGVU8bQk?...
Yellow Legged Hornet – So what happened in 2025? Jackie Thomas
YouTube video by National Honey Show
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The National Honey Show has just released a talk from the 2025 event.
Jackie Thomas outlines how Dover BKA's response to the yellow-legged Asian hornet has evolved over the past 3 years to improve its effectiveness and sustainability.
youtu.be/iHdxGVU8bQk?...
Jackie Thomas outlines how Dover BKA's response to the yellow-legged Asian hornet has evolved over the past 3 years to improve its effectiveness and sustainability.
youtu.be/iHdxGVU8bQk?...
The National Bee Unit has recently update its Best Practice Guidance on The Essence of Beekeeping.
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
November 23, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The National Bee Unit has recently update its Best Practice Guidance on The Essence of Beekeeping.
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...
www.nationalbeeunit.com/assets/PDFs/...