David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

_____________________________________________________________________ Hymenoptera 12- Western Honey Bees

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (worker)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (workers)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (workers)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (male)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (male)

WESTERN HONEY BEE Apis mellifera (male)

• Western Honey Bees Apis mellifera have been suffering from severe population crashes during recent years. One reason for this is almost certainly parasitism by the Varroa jacobsoni mite, but there may be other sinister causes of the decline of this domesticated, hive-based social insect. Neurotoxic substances (to insects, not to higher animals) being used by agriculture including neonicotinoids are very much under suspicion as potential causative agents, both for Honey Bees and for other insects suffering catastrophic population crashes (many of which are important pollinators in their own right). Toxic chemicals may persist in the soil for several years after application (depending on their half-lives) and dust may be spread by the wind so the effects can be noticed well beyond the confines of agricultural land, or indeed the set-aside boundaries intended to support invertebrate life. Even if the use of these chemicals is stopped it may take several years for populations to recover. The Honey Bee population in green urban areas may actually be comparatively healthy based on personal observations by the photographer. An authoritative account of the effect of the Varroa mite (in the USA, although the same principles apply elsewhere) may be found at: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef608.asp. Natural predation of this species does account for some losses, but as is usually the cases there will be an equilibrium reached as no predator or parasite can afford to wipe out its prey or host, respectively. European Hornets Vespa crabro will take some by ambushing them as they feed but they also capture smaller social wasps (Vespula) and other insect prey, unlike the Bee-wolf Philanthus triangulum, a large and handsomely marked digger wasp that specialises in provisioning its larval nests with paralysed Honey Bees. On the Continent European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster take their toll but these have yet to become properly established in the UK although that day may arrive before too long as the climate continues to warm in response to human activity. Given the selective nature and loyalties of different types of wildlife enthusiast, any news about the establishment of this beautiful bird is likely to be warmly welcomed by ornithologist but it might generate polarised views amongst apiculturists. Perhaps of greater concern is the inevitable establishment of the Asian Hornet Vespa velutina, a reportable species illustrated elsewhere on this web site and any sightings of which will have been followed up by the destruction of nests. These large social wasps will gather around bee-hives and they can cause significant damage by predating the residents in quantity. On the Continent some mitigation is being offered by some apiculturists by reducing the size of the entrance slats of their hives. Note the much larger size of the compound eyes of male (drone) Honey Bees.

• The biology of these bees and many other species have been described in detail in David Baldock's 'Bees of Surrey', a book that will be of value to hymenopterists throughout the UK and northern Europe.

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