Honey Bee Biology Episodes

What can we learn simply by listening to a honey bee colony? Dr. Dewey Caron explores the science of sound in the hive, including how bees produce and detect vibrations, the distinctive sound of queenless colonies, vibroacoustic communication during the waggle dance, predator-warning signals, and what young bees learn by following experienced dancers. Dewey also traces acoustic hive monitoring from Eddie Woods’ early Apidictor to today’s sophisticated digital and machine-learning systems. This is Part One of a two-part exploration of honey bee sounds.

Recorded live at the Tri-States Beekeeping Conference in Fargo, North Dakota, this special panel discussion brings together four respected voices in beekeeping: Randy Oliver, Jackie Park-Burris, Dr. Katie Lee, and Dr. Rogan Tokash. Moderated by Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman, the panel examines the current state of honey bee health, including Varroa mite management, resistance to amitraz, advances in breeding mite-resistant bees, honey bee nutrition, forage availability, pesticides, and the economics affecting both commercial and hobbyist beekeepers. The discussion also addresses the future of almond pollination, the importance of applied research, and how collaboration between scientists and beekeepers continues to drive practical solutions for healthier colonies.

Dr. Sammy Ramsey joins this BTP Short to discuss his work on National Geographic’s Secrets of the Bees. From science to storytelling, he shares how the series reveals new insights into honey bee behavior, Varroa resistance, and the emotional connection between humans and bees.

Jeff Pettis and Carlos Perea return to discuss Terra Vera’s hive health approach, including varroa control, pathogen reduction, and new tools for improving biosecurity in beekeeping.

Chip Taylor and Gard Otis return to discuss Africanized honey bee swarming, sharing research, field observations, and how these bees reproduce and spread differently from European colonies.

What really happens inside a hive during extreme winter conditions? Etienne Tardif joins the podcast to share cold-climate insights on feeding, insulation, brood timing, and how data can reveal what bees need to survive winter.

In this BTP Short, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another of his “audio postcards,” this time exploring the critical role of fat bees—also known as diutinus bees—in helping colonies survive winter. Dewey explains how these long-lived worker bees differ from their summer sisters, with enlarged fat bodies, higher protein reserves, and lower juvenile hormone levels, all tied to the key blood protein vitellogenin. Drawing on published research papers, Dewey highlights how environmental cues such as decli...

What do honey bee genetics mean for the everyday beekeeper—and how do researchers untangle traits like foraging behavior, hygienic tendencies, and even pollen hoarding? In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Rob Page, one of the world’s leading experts in honey bee genetics and author of the newly updated Honey Bee Genetics and The Art of the Bee.

In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with an “audio postcard” on one of spring’s biggest challenges: swarming. In less than 20 minutes, Dewey breaks down the science and management strategies of swarming across three...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Etienne Tardiff, a beekeeper from the Yukon, who shares his unique approach to wintering bees in some of the coldest climates imaginable. Etienne, blending his engineering background with hands-on...

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Christina Grozinger, a distinguished researcher from Penn State University, who delves into her extensive work on bee behavior, genetics, and the vital role of nutrition in bee health. As the director...

(#277) In this episode, we delve into the intricate world of honey bee virology with Dr. Michelle Flenniken from Montana State University. As a seasoned researcher specializing in honey bee viruses, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge that's both...

(#276) In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Kaira Wagoner of Optera, who introduces us to groundbreaking research in bee hygiene. Kaira shares her extensive study on hygienic behavior in honey bees, a critical trait that helps colonies...

(#264) In this week’s episode, we explore into the fascinating world of drones with Dr. Brock Harpur from Purdue University. Listen and discover the critical role drones play in bee colony health and how current research is challenging previous...

On today’s episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. Meghan splits her time between teaching at the MSU veterinary school, extension and research. On today’s episode, Meghan discusses...

We are excited to bring you this packed episode. We start with Jeff talking with Becky Masterman, from the Minnesota Honey Producers Assn. about the USDA-ARS National Publication 305 (NP-305) and its importance.  Next Jeff and Kim talk with Dr....

Anyone who's watch the front entrance of a hive or watched honey bee gathering nectar and pollen from flowers on a tree or a field of flowers has wondered about the life of a bee. That ultimately leads to the wonderment of just what does a bee...

Today, we talk with Julia Mahood, a Master Beekeeper in Georgia. Julia is fascinated with drone honey bees and especially Drone Congregation Areas. To find out more about DCA’s, she is on a quest to find as many as she can across her Georgia...

In this episode, we talk with Steve Repasky about his book, Swarm Essentials, published by WicWas Press in 2014. Steve is in the middle of updating his book and we found him ready to talk about swarming in general, and what’s new in the world of...

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Christina Grozinger, from Penn State’s Department of Entomology. Her recent research and and plant growing season has confirmed many suspicions on the long term impact these changes have on all bees, both native...

In this episode, we invite Dan Conlon back to learn how the Russian Honey Bee Program is progressing, since now is the time to consider trying packages, nucs or queens for the coming season. Arguably, Russians are the most tested breed of honey bee in...

Ask beekeepers and you will hear many different opinions on Russian Honey Bees. Mostly, they either love them, hate them or know nothing about them.  In this episode, we go directly to the US source of these bees with Dr. Tom Rinderer and Steve...

Sue Cobey, Tim Lawrence and Steve Sheppard join the podcast this week to discuss their new three-part video series on how to develop an effective and productive honey bee breeding program. Topics discussed in the series include record keeping, drone...

Dr. Tom D. Seeley is a Horace White Professor in Biology at Cornell University where he teaches courses on animal behavior, specializing in understanding the social life of honey bees. His scientific research focuses on the phenomenon of swarm intelligence, which is...