Killer Hornets v. Lovable Honeybees

     Giant Asian "murder hornets" seem poised to attack hives just as World Bee Day approaches on May 20, the birthday of Anton James, teacher in the world's first beekeeping school, founded by 18th century empress, Maria Theresa. Modern day beekeepers already struggle with the impact of collapsing honeybee colonies on the world's food supply.   

     With spring planting in progress in the Northern Hemisphere, a review of recent findings regarding bee health is important.

• Honeybee-killing pesticides containing neonicotinoids have been banned throughout the world,
• Global warming that makes hives too hot, strong winds and cold winter temperatures require protective hive designs,
• To compensate for the loss of pollen from fewer natural wildflowers, gardeners need to plant bee-friendly blooms such as zinnias, cosmos and lavender,
• Every effort should be made to leave clusters of woody debris and leaf litter undisturbed in breeding areas where bees forage and nest.

Local bees deserve nurturing care, since the introduction of foreign bees rarely compensates for hive collapse elsewhere. Not only can a different species be unable to adapt to a new area, it may introduce a foreign disease harmful to local bees.

     What can be done to protect honeybees from the exceptionally long stingers of attacking hornets? Maybe the research that shows some success in eliminating malaria-carrying mosquitoes might help.