Steve Donohoe
@walrushoney.com
Author, editor, loves bees and beagles, rat race escapee, http://Kooth.com co-founder, blogger, portfolio manager, @sussexuni graduate, hedgehog not fox
We’ve always feared Varroa for feeding damage and virus spread. But now there’s a third pathway: suppression of melittin, bees’ antimicrobial shield. The case for early Varroa control is stronger than ever.
Varroa Reduces Bees’ Surface Antimicrobial Defences
A recently published article in Scientific Reports suggests yet another way in which varroa mites are bad for honey bees. Varroa reduces bees’ surface antimicrobial defences. Apparently, many social insects do something called “venom bathing”, which basically involves coating their bodies with venom from sting glands. The main component of bee venom is melittin, which is antiseptic, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial.
thewalrusandthehoneybee.com
August 25, 2025 at 7:01 AM
We’ve always feared Varroa for feeding damage and virus spread. But now there’s a third pathway: suppression of melittin, bees’ antimicrobial shield. The case for early Varroa control is stronger than ever.
Important Beekeeping Tips 2025
A walrus studying beekeeping theory For those who start beekeeping, probably as a hobby, or to save the world, some will become obsessed for the rest of their lives, and many will give up within three years. When reality crashes into idealism, there are casualties.…
A walrus studying beekeeping theory For those who start beekeeping, probably as a hobby, or to save the world, some will become obsessed for the rest of their lives, and many will give up within three years. When reality crashes into idealism, there are casualties.…
Important Beekeeping Tips 2025
A walrus studying beekeeping theory For those who start beekeeping, probably as a hobby, or to save the world, some will become obsessed for the rest of their lives, and many will give up within three years. When reality crashes into idealism, there are casualties. That’s actually a good thing; it makes sense to keep looking until you find your ‘happy place’ - the activity that brings you purpose and joy.
thewalrusandthehoneybee.com
August 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Important Beekeeping Tips 2025
A walrus studying beekeeping theory For those who start beekeeping, probably as a hobby, or to save the world, some will become obsessed for the rest of their lives, and many will give up within three years. When reality crashes into idealism, there are casualties.…
A walrus studying beekeeping theory For those who start beekeeping, probably as a hobby, or to save the world, some will become obsessed for the rest of their lives, and many will give up within three years. When reality crashes into idealism, there are casualties.…
Recent Photos
To the handful of crazy beekeepers who wait in anticipation for my blog posts - there are a few, apparently - I'm afraid this one is basically a few photographs that I have taken this…
https://thewalrusandthehoneybee.com/recent-photos/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
To the handful of crazy beekeepers who wait in anticipation for my blog posts - there are a few, apparently - I'm afraid this one is basically a few photographs that I have taken this…
https://thewalrusandthehoneybee.com/recent-photos/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
August 1, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Recent Photos
To the handful of crazy beekeepers who wait in anticipation for my blog posts - there are a few, apparently - I'm afraid this one is basically a few photographs that I have taken this…
https://thewalrusandthehoneybee.com/recent-photos/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
To the handful of crazy beekeepers who wait in anticipation for my blog posts - there are a few, apparently - I'm afraid this one is basically a few photographs that I have taken this…
https://thewalrusandthehoneybee.com/recent-photos/?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=jetpack_social
New podcast episode! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Open Mating Queens
Podcast Episode · The Walrus and the Honey Bee · 17/07/2025 · 53m
podcasts.apple.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:13 AM
New podcast episode! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Open Mating Queens
Daughter of an II carniolan queen that has been introduced to Buckfast workers (Photo: Andy Sweet) It should be fairly straightforward, shouldn’t it? A colony makes several virgin queens, eventually whittles them down to one, and she flies off on several mating flights. She…
Daughter of an II carniolan queen that has been introduced to Buckfast workers (Photo: Andy Sweet) It should be fairly straightforward, shouldn’t it? A colony makes several virgin queens, eventually whittles them down to one, and she flies off on several mating flights. She…
Open Mating Queens
Daughter of an II carniolan queen that has been introduced to Buckfast workers (Photo: Andy Sweet) It should be fairly straightforward, shouldn’t it? A colony makes several virgin queens, eventually whittles them down to one, and she flies off on several mating flights. She returns to the welcoming embrace of her workers, and begins the long process of laying hundreds or thousands of eggs every day during the summer, autumn, and spring.
thewalrusandthehoneybee.com
July 8, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Open Mating Queens
Daughter of an II carniolan queen that has been introduced to Buckfast workers (Photo: Andy Sweet) It should be fairly straightforward, shouldn’t it? A colony makes several virgin queens, eventually whittles them down to one, and she flies off on several mating flights. She…
Daughter of an II carniolan queen that has been introduced to Buckfast workers (Photo: Andy Sweet) It should be fairly straightforward, shouldn’t it? A colony makes several virgin queens, eventually whittles them down to one, and she flies off on several mating flights. She…
Peacock butterfly - saw this today, lovely thing #butterfly
July 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Peacock butterfly - saw this today, lovely thing #butterfly
New podcast episode out now: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... #beekeeping
Walrus Wobbles (beekeeping blunders)
Podcast Episode · The Walrus and the Honey Bee · 18/06/2025 · 14m
podcasts.apple.com
June 19, 2025 at 7:36 AM
New podcast episode out now: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t... #beekeeping
Reposted by Steve Donohoe
[New post for sponsors] The curse of laying workers and why they're rarely seen in queenright colonies, the survival of eggs after grafting and the (ongoing) attempts to produce bigger, better queens. Biology and beekeeping, what's not to like?
theapiarist.org/worker-polic...
#beekeeping
theapiarist.org/worker-polic...
#beekeeping
June 7, 2025 at 9:02 AM
[New post for sponsors] The curse of laying workers and why they're rarely seen in queenright colonies, the survival of eggs after grafting and the (ongoing) attempts to produce bigger, better queens. Biology and beekeeping, what's not to like?
theapiarist.org/worker-polic...
#beekeeping
theapiarist.org/worker-polic...
#beekeeping
