Bee bop
Oct
21
Some progress is being made in creating a strain of bees that fight back when infected by the varroa mite. There is an inherited ability in some bees that leads them to actively seek out mite eggs and destroy them before they hatch. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research station in Louisiana is selectively breeding for this quality, which helps the bees survive mite infections. This development offers hope for our local honeybees and those on other Pacific Islands that have been assaulted by these tiny pests.
HIFF and Whole Foods have joined up to screen The Last Beekeeper on 10/21, 6:30pm and 10/22, 4:15pm at Dole. The film takes a look at colony collapse disorder, which is killing honeybees in vast numbers worldwide. It follows several American beekeepers over the course of a year as they cope with the disorder. Following Wednesday’s screening, there will be a local honey tasting. Three Hawaii beekeepers will be on hand to answer questions about bee problems in Hawaii nei.
