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The St.Ives Bee Keeper, Willow Bungalow, Saint Ives (2026)

28/08/2026

Peeeeeeek-a-boooooo

28/08/2026

The super food saving our bees 28,8,26

Beekeepers…. Will you use it?

Good Morning everyone, I hope you are all well.

I’ve been looking at a bag of brewer’s yeast on my shelf that I’m planning on turning into patties and I started wondering about the new super bee food that the Scientists have developed as its all gone a bit quiet.

However, the breakthrough bee superfood was engineered from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica which I know nothing about but, they produce six essential pollen sterols that are otherwise unavailable commercially.

So, In controlled trials ofthis super food, honeybee colonies fed this sterol-enriched yeast diet showed a massive boost in reproduction, producing up to 15 times younger than those on standard commercial substitutes, which is i think is fantastic.

The Researchers at Oxford University and partner institutions mapped the exact sterols present in honeybee pupal tissues by dissecting nurse bees and analysing their lipid profiles.
So how did they do this?

Well, they identified six essential compounds—such as 24-methylenecholesterol and beta-sitosterol—that bees require for growth and reproduction but which standard artificial pollen substitutes lack.

Where does this yeast come from?

Yarrowia lipolytica is a common wild yeast that occurs naturally in our soil, marine environments, wastewater, and fat-rich substrates like cheeses or industrial oil waste.

So, Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, the scientists modified the food-safe, oil-rich yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to sustainably manufacture this exact mix of missing pollen sterols.

The engineered yeast biomass is cultured in bioreactors, harvested, and dried into a powder to be mixed into feed. During controlled three-month feeding trials, colonies fed this sterol-enriched diet reared up to 15 times more larvae than control groups and maintained brood production instead of crashing.

We can't buy it yet! it still needs to go through broader field safety trials, larger manufacturing scale-ups, and official regulatory approvals.

Developers estimate it could potentially become commercially available within a couple of years.

Beekeepers will you use it?

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-08-20-saving-bees-superfoods-new-engineered-supplement-found-boost-colony-reproduction

28/08/2026

The super food saving our bees 28,8,26
Beekeepers…. Will you use it?

fans

Good Morning everyone, I hope you are all well.

I’ve been looking at a bag of brewer’s yeast on my shelf that I’m planning on turning into patties and I started wondering about the new super bee food that the Scientists have developed as its all gone a bit quiet.

However, the breakthrough bee superfood was engineered from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica which I know nothing about but, they produce six essential pollen sterols that are otherwise unavailable commercially.

So, In controlled trials ofthis super food, honeybee colonies fed this sterol-enriched yeast diet showed a massive boost in reproduction, producing up to 15 times younger than those on standard commercial substitutes, which is i think is fantastic.

The Researchers at Oxford University and partner institutions mapped the exact sterols present in honeybee pupal tissues by dissecting nurse bees and analysing their lipid profiles.

So how did they do this?

Well, they identified six essential compounds—such as 24-methylenecholesterol and beta-sitosterol—that bees require for growth and reproduction but which standard artificial pollen substitutes lack.

Where does this yeast come from?

Yarrowia lipolytica is a common wild yeast that occurs naturally in our soil, marine environments, wastewater, and fat-rich substrates like cheeses or industrial oil waste.

So, Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, the scientists modified the food-safe, oil-rich yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to sustainably manufacture this exact mix of missing pollen sterols.

The engineered yeast biomass is cultured in bioreactors, harvested, and dried into a powder to be mixed into feed. During controlled three-month feeding trials, colonies fed this sterol-enriched diet reared up to 15 times more larvae than control groups and maintained brood production instead of crashing.

We can't buy it yet! it still needs to go through broader field safety trials, larger manufacturing scale-ups, and official regulatory approvals.

Developers estimate it could potentially become commercially available within a couple of years.

Beekeepers will you use it?

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-08-20-saving-bees-superfoods-new-engineered-supplement-found-boost-colony-reproduction

27/08/2026

Winter is coming, I can feel it in the air!

27/08/2026

National burger day 27,8,26

fans

Morning everyone, what a great day it is today.

When you sink your teeth into a juicy burger on National Burger Day, TODAY! you might not immediately think of the hive, but honey bees are the ultimate secret ingredient behind your entire meal. 🍔 From the sesame seeds sprinkled across your classic bun to the rich, fertile pastures that feed cattle, pollinators are working hard behind the scenes to make your favourite fast-food treat possible. 🌸 Without these flying wonders visiting delicate blossoms to help them set seed, your roll would lose its signature texture and crunch. 🐝

Think about all those essential toppings that bring a burger to life, like gherkins, tangy pickles, fresh tomato relishes, sharp mustard, and onions. 🍅 Cucumbers, tomatoes, and mustard plants all depend directly on bee pollination to fruit and grow, meaning your favourite condiments simply wouldn't exist without them. 🍯 Even if you prefer a plant-based patty or a traditional beef burger with a melted slice of cheese, livestock rely heavily on clover, alfalfa, and lush pasture grasses that depend entirely on bees for rich, healthy growth. 🌿

Ultimately, every single layer of your burger is connected to the health of our local ecosystems and the tireless efforts of our pollinating friends. 🍃 Supporting sustainable beekeeping and protecting our environment ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of a well-earned feast. 🌻 Next time you grab a bite, take a moment to thank the humble honey bee for bringing so much flavour to your plate. 🍔

Here is a simple, 5-minute recipe for Nutty Honey Mustard—a bold and creamy twist on standard honey mustard that combines the tang of Dijon, the sweetness of honey, and the rich depth of peanut butter.

Ingredients:
• 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 2 tablespoons Creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of water (if you want to thin out the consistency)

Mix it altogether and slap it on!

26/08/2026

Great bit of footage showing how an Asian Hornet catches a honey bee 🐝

26/08/2026

Feed me NOW!!!!!!!!!!! 26,8,26

Did you know that honeybee larvae don't just lie around waiting to be fed when they are hungry?

They actually use a sophisticated, invisible chemical language, their own pheromones language!

So, as they grow, unhatched larvae secrete specific chemical compounds known as brood esters, these scents change constantly, which tells passing nurse bees whether a developing bee needs royal jelly, honey, or protein-rich pollen hats off to the researchers who found this out.

When they want or need food right away, hungry larvae emit a volatile compound called E"-" β"-ocimene" that floats through the air of the hive. This acts as an active chemical cry, triggering an instant feeding response and commanding nurse bees passing by to feed them.

This chemical communication system ensures that the colony's nutritional resources are directed precisely where they are needed most.

These microscopic chemical signals keep the super organism working smoothly and highlights just how complex hive life truly is. It blows my mind how Researchers continue to uncover these invisible scents that regulate everything from nursing duties to forager maturation, keeping the entire colony running like clockwork

References
He, X. J., Zhang, X. C., Jiang, W., Barron, A. B., Zhang, J. H., & Zeng, Z. J. (2016). Starving honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae signal pheromonally to worker bees. Scientific Reports, 6, 22359. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep22359

Maisonnasse, A., Lenoir, J.-C., Beslay, D., Crauser, D., & Le Conte, Y. (2010). E-β-Ocimene, a volatile brood pheromone involved in social regulation in the honey bee colony (Apis mellifera). PLOS ONE, 5(10), e13531. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0013531

25/08/2026

H**p or Cannabis honey is there such a thing? 25,8,26

fans

Morning all, what are your thoughts about this post?

I’ve been chatting to Cyndi over in America ( Hello Cyndi) about bees feeding on h**p and cannabis.

I don’t use it but I know a lot people do for various reasons whether you for or against it, it really doesn’t bother me I just find it and interesting topic.

So, every now and again things pop up about cannabis honey or cbd honey, but it just doesn’t exist without people making it.

However, I have found some Fascinating and Interesting new research which has come out of Poland, the link is at the bottom of the post and this research is uncovering an unexpected connection between honey bees and the h**p plant.

There are lots research out there on the niche subject which has come across my feed many times over the years.

While cannabis and h**p are wind-pollinated they do not produce nectar for honey production, did you know this?

Honey bees actively visit male plants to forage for protein-rich pollen during lean late-summer months, unless you grow it in your hyrdo tent.........

Even more intriguing, scientific studies—such as research conducted by the teams in Poland, which have come across feeding honey bees’ h**p and CBD extracts. The findings showed that these extracts stimulate the bees' proteolytic and antioxidant systems, helping protect their organisms against free radicals and oxidative stress.

• Free radicals, Unstable molecules in the body that bounce around and damage healthy cells like tiny microscopic wrecking balls.

• Oxidative stress, The physical Damage and wear-and-tear that happens when too many of those unstable free radicals overwhelm the body's natural defences.

In controlled tests, bees supplemented with h**p extracts lived significantly longer than control groups fed only on standard sugar syrup.

You can dive into the published scientific details via the PubMed study on h**p extract and honey bee antioxidant systems.

11
Random facts about Cannabis honey, I like number 6, & number 10…………..Hmmmmmm

1. Nectar Absence, Cannabis and h**p plants are wind-pollinated, meaning they do not produce floral nectar for bees to collect.

2. Pollen Foraging, Honey bees will visit male h**p plants strictly to gather protein-rich pollen when other natural food sources run low.

3. No Natural CBD Honey, because bees do not make honey from h**p nectar, true "cannabis honey" does not happen naturally in a hive.

4. How CBD Gets In, Commercial CBD honey is made by human beekeepers or producers manually blending pure extracted CBD oil or isolate into raw honey.

5. Legal Status in the UK, CBD honey is completely legal to buy and sell in the UK as long as it is derived from legally approved industrial h**p strains and contains strictly under the legal limit of THC (usually less than 1mg per container).

6. Cost per 1 lb Jar, Premium infused CBD honey typically ranges from roughly £35 to £60 per pound (approx. 454g) depending on the strength of the CBD extract added.

7. Health Research, Scientific studies show that supplementing bees with h**p extracts can boost their antioxidant systems and extend their lifespans.

8. The "Cannahoney" Myth, Viral claims that bees can be trained to process cannabis resin into honey are scientifically false.

9. Bee Biology, Insects completely lack an internal cannabinoid receptor system, meaning CBD has no psychoactive or medicinal effect on the bees themselves.

10. Market Trend, Artisan CBD honey has emerged as a niche wellness product combining raw honey with targeted doses of Phyto cannabinoids.

11. The Uk is the second largest exporter of cannabis on the planet. According to official data tracked by the United Nations' International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), that is a fact.

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24/08/2026

This is probably a queen for next year.

I gave her a little syrup boost 🤙🏻

24/08/2026

How did AFB and EFB come about? 24,8,26

fans

Lovely day here sunny yet windy, winter is coming!

Please like, share and follow to help me grow, many thanks.

So, American Foulbrood is not from America!

AFB & European Foulbrood are bacterial infections targeting developing honeybee larvae, transforming healthy brood into decayed rotting smelly debris.

AFB and EFB pathogens have co-evolved alongside honeybees, for over a millennium.

I’ve never suffered with it thank goodness but, Historically, beekeepers spotted the signs and knew this as a devastating disease that can rot out apiaries without a known cause. Modern science revealed that American Foulbrood is driven by the spore-forming rod Paenibacillus larvae, which attacks capped larvae, while European Foulbrood is caused by Melissococcus plutonius, affecting unsealed larvae earlier in their cycle.

I’m sure most beekeepers know what to look out for, but newbies best learn.

So, how did AFB or EFB come to be?

Well, apparently What started as opportunistic environmental bacteria evolved into highly specialized intracellular and spore-forming parasites tailored specifically to exploit the warm, protein-rich nursery environment of the brood nest. While ancient honeybee colonies relied on natural hygienic behaviours and frequent absconding to escape pathogen buildup.
However, modern fixed-comb and movable-frame management changed beekeeping.

Yet, historically there were untamed epidemics that wiped out entire regions before pathology existed, what it is today is a closely monitored, legally notifiable disease managed through strict inspection frameworks, resistant stock breeding, and rigorous biosecurity protocols.

If the bee inspector finds it, he will not leave until that hive is a pile of ash!

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The St.Ives Bee Keeper

28/08/2026

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