Bees

A new University of Florida study reveals insights into the secret social lives of the vibrant emerald green orchid bee known as Euglossa dilemma. Among those revelations is the bees’ ability to transition from living alone to cohabiting in small groups.In the world of pollinators, orchid bees stand out for their brilliant colors, size and physical appearance to the unsuspecting person who comes across them in a garden, park or wildlife area.

Florida is home to over 315 species of native wild bees, which thrive on flowers for survival. But some bees are in critical decline. While the public is increasingly interested in conserving pollinators and in pollinator-friendly gardening, a 2020 University of Florida survey showed a knowledge gap in consumers’ ability to identify a range of bee pollinators -- the plants to which they’re attracted.

A new invasive insect may not have the size of the much-talked about "murder hornet," but the smaller, winged meanie is just a big a threat to honeybees everywhere — and possibly Florida soon — after two were spotted and captured in Georgia.

Experts say the number of bee colonies in the path of the Category 4 hurricane account for about 1 in 7 of the nation’s total. They represent a crucial pollination force.

This week the Fort Myers Film Festival will screen three environmental documentary selections from award-winning filmmaker and conservation and science communicator Sonny DePasquale. We’ll explore these documentaries with the filmmaker.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is looking for your help to track two species of native bee that you’ll probably hear before you see. Southeastern plasterer bees live in scrub, pineland, and sandhill habitats; adjacent open areas; and along roadsides.

The Florida Museum of Natural History is looking for your help to track two species of native bee that you’ll probably hear before you see. Southeastern plasterer bees live in scrub, pineland, and sandhill habitats; adjacent open areas; and along roadsides.

Almost two decades ago Marina Marchese fell in love with bees during a tour of a neighbor's honeybee hives. She built her own bee hive, ordered bees, and…

Florida is abuzz about beekeeping. The number of Floridians who’ve started beekeeping has increased by over 500 percent in the last 14 years. The demand...

Florida is one of the nation's largest producers of honey and is a hub for beekeeping, both commercially and as a hobby. In a special reporting...