Beekeepers buzz about embattled bees

Colony collapse disorder is a scientific mystery in which bees suddenly disappear from their hives.

Large research projects are underway to determine the causes.

Scientists are looking at food sources, nutrition, diseases, viruses and parasites.

Beekeepers take cues from busy insects

(MI) Grand Rapids Press – Beekeepers  tend farm and backyard hives for the honey, to help pollinate gardens to earn cash and because they like bees. “Bees are so industrious. They work from sun up to sun down. It’s interesting to watch them go in and out of the hives and do their different jobs,” said businessman Chris Raphael, a Saugatuck resident who started beekeeping two years ago. More

Crews in St. Paul cut down trees infested with ash borers

(MN) Minneapolis Star-Tribune – Chain saws and experts are converging in the Twin Cities in the fight against the emerald ash borer. In St. Paul, foresters identified eight more infested trees Tuesday as workers continued to remove dozens of others fatally damaged by the bug that, first found in St. Paul May 13, threatens the state’s 900 million ash trees. So far, 67 trees have been either taken down this week or targeted for removal in an effort officials hope will thwart the insect that has killed tens of millions of trees across the Midwest and southern Canada in the past seven years.