Two studies show that a class of chemicals known as neonicotinoids created disorientation among bees and caused colonies to lose weight, which may have contributed to a mysterious die-off.



By Eryn Brown, Los Angeles Times



March 29 2012, 5:13 PM PDT



Scientists have identified a new suspect in the mysterious die-off of bees in recent years — a class of pesticides that appear to be lethal in indirect ways. 



The complete article can be viewed…

A member on our NMBKA Facebook page reported the first recorded swarm capture of the year in New Mexico! Dust off your swarm capture gear, the season is starting.

By Olivia Solon, Wired UK, March 9, 2012

Bees have different “personalities”, with some showing a stronger willingness or desire to seek adventure than others, according to a study by entomologists at the University of Illinois.

The researchers found that thrill-seeking is not limited to humans and other vertebrates. The brains of honeybees that were more likely than others to seek adventure exhibited distinct patterns of gene activity in molecular pathways known…

The most rare U.S. species of bumblebee, last seen in 1956, has turned up once again in the White Mountains of south-central New Mexico. Called “Cockerell’s Bumblebee,” this prized pollinator is known from an area of less than 300 square miles, giving it the most limited range of any bumblebee species in the world.

“Most bumblebees in the U.S. are known from…

HOUSTON – Reports of bee thefts are up, and the worst drought in state history is at least partially to blame, local bee experts say.

“Bees are in short supply right now,” said Jennifer Scott, who also belongs to the Harris County Beekeepers Association.  “There’s no doubt about that.”

A bee-hive theft at Haven, a restaurant in…

Dear Beekeepers-

The Bee Informed Partnership is a large collaboration between research institutions, Universities and beekeepers from all over the country. We are funded for 5 years by USDA/NIFA (U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture).  If you have taken the National Winter Loss survey anytime in the past 5 years, that survey represents a portion of the work…

NMBKA is working on the purchase and showing of "The Strange Disappearance of Bees" initially at the Guild Theater in Albuquerque, NM.

This event will most likely happen in early August. Keep your eyes open for more…

We are pleased to announce that NMBKA will be bringing in Michael Bush, author of Practical Beekeeper, Beekeeping Naturally…