Honey Bee Biology (Beekeeping)
Credits:1
Prerequisites: None.
Instructor: W. S. Sheppard
Text: The Hive and the Honey Bee, Ed. Dadant and Sons, eds. Hamilton, IL 1992.
OBJECTIVES OF COURSE
- To acquaint students with the insect sociality and its role in development of biological theory (kin selection, sociobiology, superorganism).
- To provide students with specific knowledge about honey bees and their crucial role in food production.
- To introduce students to concepts and practices in beekeeping.
LECTURE OUTLINE
Number of Lectures & Topic
1 — Classification of Hymenoptera and bees
1 — Insect sociality, genetics, kin selection
1 — Evolution/phylogeography of A. mellifera subspecies, morphology
2 — Colony life history, castes, behavior
1 — History of beekeeping (Apis, non-Apis), importation and establishment of honey bees in the New World.
1 — Pollination – importance to US agriculture
1 — Beekeeping practices, modern and primitive equipment
2 — Seasonal colony management
1 — Diseases and pests of bees, allergies
1 — Commercial products of the apiary
1 — The beekeeping industry – commercial and hobbyist
1 — Future considerations: urbanization, Africanized honey bees, colony reductions
14 one-hour lectures, three one hour exams
GRADING CRITERIA
- 3 (1 hour) Lecture Exams (20% each) 60%
- 1 final exam 40%