Manuka has developed a reputation for being a supercharged honey. But how do you even know if you are buying real Manuka? After it was discovered that there was tainted, fake Manuka honey on the market, the New Zealand Government took action into their own hands and started testing. They have now tested over 800 samples from around the world in order to create a definition of the product. The honey must now have five key attributes – four chemicals and one DNA marker, to be labeled real New Zealand Manuka. This authentication test is warmly welcomed in New Zealand, where the Manuka industry has been overdue for regulation and testing for some time.
China Finds Sweeter Return with European Bees
Due to the work ethics and behavior of the European honey bee, the Asian honeybees have seen a rapid decline in population in China. This may be due to the fact that European worker bees are known to listen to their queen more tentatively and take her messages more seriously compared to Asian honeybees. This isn’t a recent phenomenon, for centuries, the Asian honeybee has been steadily replaced by the more diligent European honeybee. To sweeten the deal, even more, the European honeybee produces a sweeter, more desirable honey.
Buzz Worthy Home
Africanized honeybees swarmed a home in Tuscon, Arizona and created what turned out to be a nine-foot long hive.The hive was so large it took three days to remove! Africanized bees are more dangerous, having strong tempers and being known to attack for no reason, so it was extremely important that the hive is removed as quickly and safely as possible. Check out the interview with the beekeeper who removed the hive.
Human Beehavior
Robert Owen, a scientist who specializes in [add his specialty], called on hobby beekeepers to take a hard look at their practices in order to do their part in helping to save the bees. In an essay to be published in the Entomological Society of America's Journal of Economic Entomology, Robert Owen, a well-known scientist, argues that human activity plays a major role when it comes to the pathogens and diseases impacting the honeybee. Key issues impacting the bee populations and the spreading of pathogens, like large-scale, and loosely regulated commercial pollination are outlined as are ways to help our pollinators out, like deeper support networks for the hobby beekeepers, that are aided by scientists, beekeeping associations, and government. Are you a beekeeper? If you are, or thinking about it, we highly suggest reading the full article!
