1. Is this a Good or Bad Brood Pattern ? Bee Biology…..

2. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Queen Mates when 6 – 8 days old Mates while flying (8 – 12 ft above ground) Mates on multiple days & with multiple drones (if present) Diverse Drone Populations are better (genetic diversity) Mates when weather condition is acceptable (rainy days affect success) Properly mated queens are fertilized with over 5 million sperm Commercially raised queens ( Dr David Tarpy) 81% - fertilized with less than 5 million sperm 19% - fertilized with less than 3 million Pheromones, Chemical Substances & Worker Bee Activity Avg. eggs/day = 1200 to 1800 (Spring & Early Summer) Avg. Reproductive Life Span 1 – 2 yrs. Avg. Life Span (Subspecies influence) 3 – 5 yrs

3. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Queen Cells Supercedure Cells

4. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Queen - Reproductive Anatomy

5. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Drone - develops from unfertilized egg Male (fertile) No Pollen Basket No Honey sac No Stinger No Hive Duties Mates w/virgin queen while flying Dies Non Mating – Avg. life cycle = ? Note Eye Color !

6. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Worker – develops from fertilized egg Female (infertile) Newly Emerged 2-10 days Worker 11 – 20 days Foragers 21 days - DOA Avg. life cycle = 4 to 6 weeks Glands – Royal Jelly Pollen baskets 4 pr wax glands – underside of abdomen Honey Sac Stinger

7. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Worker Royal Jelly Secreted from hypopharyngeal glands in head Fed to all bee larvae First 3 days – Workers & Drones All days – Queen Active component – “Royalactin” a single protein, responsible for queen development

8. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Worker Specialization/Responsibilities

9. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Color recognition to a Bee

10. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Color recognition What a Bee sees

11. HoneyBee Life Cycle – Communication between Bees Foragers communicate their floral findings: 2 Theorems The “waggle dance” theory 1947 - Karl Von Frisch 1973 received Nobel Prize (Physiology/Medicine) The “odor plume” theory (Adrian Wenner)

12. Apiary Registration State Law Ohio Revised Code – 909.01 to 909.18 Register with the Dept of Agriculture (ODA) $5 per Apiary Location ODA supports County Inspectors Cuyahoga County Appoints Apiary Inspector - Annual Inspections sent to ODA – Annual Apiaries Registered - 177 Colonies - 471 Cities in Cuyahoga County ordinances Apiaries Allowed w/Restrictions Brook Park – No All Others – Yes City of Cleveland requires registration

13. Apiary Registration

16. 30% of Ohio Bee Colonies died over 2010/2011 winter How to improve your odds? Study Best Practices - leverage your experience & what works for you Embrace Apiculture Management Tools Classes Techniques & Skills Mentors Ask Questions Keep a Journal Study - Study - Study Join GCBA Attend Conferences Seasonal Management

17. MembershipMembership -Advantages Experienced & Knowledgeable Beekeepers ( 100+ yrs combined )Experienced & Knowledgeable Beekeepers ( 100+ yrs combined ) A deep caring and concern for the fragility of the Honeybee populationA deep caring and concern for the fragility of the Honeybee population Profound dedication in the collective management of honeybees and their impact on the ecological health of Cuyahoga County, the Western Reserve, and Mother Earth as a whole.Profound dedication in the collective management of honeybees and their impact on the ecological health of Cuyahoga County, the Western Reserve, and Mother Earth as a whole. “Making a Difference” -“Making a Difference” - “Queen Rearing Projects” – Improved Regional Adaption & Genetics“Queen Rearing Projects” – Improved Regional Adaption & Genetics GCBA

18. MembershipMembership -Participation MeetingsMeetings Field DayField Day Earth FestEarth Fest etc.etc. -Mentoring Help a NeighborHelp a Neighbor -Annual Conference GCBA

19. What’s it all about !