Bookshelf

Beekeeping – from science to practice

Russell H Vreeland and Diana Sammataro (eds)

2017 213 pages hardcover

Many well-known bee scientists have contributed chapters to this new book with the aim of clearly explaining the fundamentals of bee science. Each author addresses four issues: What are the specific goals of these experiments? How should a non-scientist read the data generated? What are the key points relating to beekeepers’ goals? And how can the data and techniques discussed be applied by beekeepers? Topics include propolis, natural selection of honey bees against Varroa destructor, honey bee venom allergy in beekeepers, effects of pesticides on bees, small hive beetles, viruses and foulbrood. This book is densely packed and will be very useful for the many beekeepers who want to be scientifically wellinformed.

The bee – a natural history

Noah Wilson-Rich

2018 223 pages, softcover

A beautifully illustrated book with easy to read text. Seven chapters provide brief information on a very wide range of topics: evolution and development, anatomy and biology, society and behaviour, bees and humans including the patron saints of beekeeping and political symbolism, beekeeping, and finally a directory of bees and the challenges they face.

Turn this book into a beehive!

Lynn Brunelle with illustrations by Anna-Maria Jung

2018 93 pages, softcover

This is an entertaining and original book for children that provides 19 experiments and activities that explore the amazing world of bees. Cleverly, the book jacket transforms into a solitary bees’ ‘hotel’, with pages from the second half of the book designed to be rolled up into tubes to fill it. Other experiments include: smell like a bee, pop bottle beehive, and winging it. The book is informative too, explaining the different species of bees, how a honey bee colony works, pollination and other subjects explained and illustrated to captivate children.

New beekeeping in a long deep hive

Robin Dartington 2

017 (revised edition) 41 pages, soft cover

Increasing numbers of new beekeepers are attracted to keep bees to provide them with a safe home and learn about them, and feel less motivated to seek any side-line income from them. Styles of deep, long hives provide ways to keep bees that are convenient, low cost and easier than conventional vertical frame hives. First published in 1985 this book describes a system using a long hive body and deep frames. The author explains that one hive made with a side observation panel showed him that the bees responded well to the shape of the cavity, and indeed this provides an excellent way to keep bees and permit them to live more naturally than in a vertical frame hive.