Is There a Correct Color for Bees? A Toxic Topic in Austia

February 20, 2023

Is There a Correct Color for Bees? A Toxic Topic in Austia

In Stockbenboi, Austria, in the state of Carinthia, a law favors light-colored local bees, those honey producers judged “too dark” risk eradication. Sandro Huter was determined to defend his bees, facing a looming death sentence. “My bees were too dark,” Mr. Huter recalled being told. “Leather brown-orange,” the inspector wrote in the state’s report. Mr. Huter would have to replace his dark queens with light-gray ones to conform with the local law. Mr. Huter refused, and this is where the story gets really interesting...

Read the whole story »

Original story by Denise Hruby on the New York Times – Date Feb. 9, 2023. Photo of Carniolan honey bee by Dejan Hudoletnjak.





Also in Bee Journal

Cappuccino and Music
Cappuccino and Music

February 17, 2024

One day, my friends and I were on our way to enjoy a Cappuccino and Crossioant when we heard the most beautiful music coming from a piazza. To our surprise, we found that Paolo Zanarella was performing an open-air concert on a grand piano in the middle of the piazza. 

Continue Reading

Honey, Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Your Health
Honey, Polyphenols, Antioxidants, and Your Health

August 14, 2023

Raw honey is packed with over 30 different polyphenols, a whopping 22 amino acids, plus a diverse array of vitamins and minerals. Now, let's talk about polyphenols. These little wonders are the reason raw honey is bursting with antioxidants, which play a superhero role in helping your body fend off those pesky free radicals (and are believed to give your overall health a boost).

Continue Reading

Challenges for the Bees
Challenges for the Bees

June 30, 2023

US honeybees face a challenging season with the second-highest death rate on record. Approximately half of the managed bee colonies were lost last year, but beekeepers are trying to maintain stability. A recent survey reveals that despite a 48% loss in colonies, the overall number of US honeybee colonies has remained relatively steady.

Continue Reading