Two new sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets Pluckley, Kent, Sighting - 08/06/2026 Whitfield, Dover, Kent, Nest - 13/06/2026 Details: www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee... www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet...

Two new sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets Pluckley, Kent, Sighting - 08/06/2026 Whitfield, Dover, Kent, Nest - 13/06/2026

Please remember the BBKA Forum is available for a wide range of friendly chat and questions about beekeeping www.bbkaforum.co.uk

Please be aware that some beekeepers are reporting colonies low on stores and at risk of starvation.

Honeybees blend a special “baby food” to give their larvae a balanced diet, with adult bees also able to regulate their feeding to avoid overconsuming certain nutrients, according to a study. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Honeybees make specialised ‘baby food’ to give larvae balanced diet, study says

Researchers also discover bees can adjust their diets when pollen sources do not provide healthy level of nutrients

theguardian.com

The July 2026 edition of BBKA News is out soon. Queens - Jane Medwell Bee Guards – Prof. Giles Budge/Dr. Celia Costa Healthy Bee Plan – Rebekah Clarkson International Meeting of Young Beekeepers – Serena Watts + regulars, features, news, apiary tips, letters, puzzle & recipes

A new study demonstrates that honeybees can evaluate the reliability of their own communication, actively adjusting the vigor of their "waggle dance" based on the truthfulness of the information they provide. phys.org/news/2026-06...

Honeybees adjust their dances based on information reliability, study reveals

A new study demonstrates that honeybees can evaluate the reliability of their own communication, actively adjusting the vigor of their "waggle dance" based on the truthfulness of the information they ...

phys.org

Non-native species week runs from 22nd- 28th June. Check for details here: www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-d...

The next in the BBKA's monthly series of Zoom talks is: ‘The Hive in July’ with Jack Silberrad, NBU Regional Bee Inspector, tonight, Tuesday 16th June at 7pm. A Zoom link has been sent to associations for circulation to members

29 sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets have been confirmed in England by 12.6.26. 2 new this week reported in Kent & East Sussex Please remain vigilant and report all sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app Details: www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet... www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

The Rules on the Quality and Labeling of Honey in the EU will come into force on 14 June 2026. ebaeurope.eu/the-origin-o...

THE ORIGIN OF HONEY BLENDS WILL FINALLY BE CLEARLY LABELED! | EBA Europe

The Rules on the Quality and Labeling of Honey will come into force on 14 June 2026. The key change, which transposes Directive (EU) 2024/1438, relates to the more precise labeling of the origin of ho...

ebaeurope.eu

29 sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets have been confirmed in England by 12.6.26. 2 new this week reported in Kent & East Sussex Please remain vigilant and report all sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app Details: www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet... www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

This study provides a diagnostic screening of agrochemicals in commercially managed honey bee colonies during a time of colony loss. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Update 12.6.26 2 further credible reports of Yellow-Legged Hornet sightings Folkestone, Kent - 8 June. Robertsbridge, East Sussex - 9 June. Earlier sighting Tunbridge Wells. confirmed as a primary nest

Majorca had captured 22 Asian hornets and removed the first nest of 2026 as part of the new trapping and invasive species control campaign. www.democrata.es/en/agricultu...

Mallorca captures 22 Asian hornets and removes a nest

Mallorca concludes the spring campaign against the Asian wasp with 22 captures and the removal of the first nest, reinforcing surveillance of invasive species.

democrata.es

The BBKA's microscopy assessment closing date is the 30th June. To apply please request a link which is available from your local exam sec. Assessments will be held on the weekend of the 26/27th September. Contact sec.exams@bbka.org.uk for venue information.

Earlier this year Jane Medwell presented a BBKA webinar on methods of comb changes including Shook Swarm and Bailey Comb Change. Jane is a Master Beekeeper, BBKA Examiner, trainer and Exam Secretary for Warwickshire BKA. She is also a BBKA Trustee. youtu.be/vRF23pGB2IM?...

February 2026 GH26 Session: Methods of Comb Change with Jane Medwell

YouTube video by British Beekeepers Association

youtu.be

Interested in beekeeping or looking for information about honey bees? Please visit the BBKA's website for a wide range of information. www.bbka.org.uk

British Beekeepers Association

National Charity for 30,000 amateur beekeepers

bbka.org.uk

The BBKA Member Hub is now the main repository for beekeeping resources and training materials available exclusively for BBKA members only. The Member Hub can be accessed by: Using this link: memberhub.bbka.org.uk Or Using the pink button on the home page of the BBKA website: www.bbka.org.uk

A new biopesticide to manage the bee-killing varroa mite has been developed. Researchers say it could help battle growing resistance to varroa treatments in Australia. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

Beekeepers call for access to new biopesticide to target varroa mite

A new biopesticide could help battle growing resistance to varroa mite treatments in Australia.

abc.net.au

The National Bee Unit's BeeBase website contains valuable information on honey bee disease incidence. Maps are available to illustrate outbreaks Image shows AFB & EFB in 2026 www.nationalbeeunit.com/diseases-and... www.nationalbeeunit.com/diseases-and...

The next in the BBKA's monthly series of Zoom talks is: ‘The Hive in July’ with Jack Silberrad, NBU Regional Bee Inspector, on Tuesday 16th June at 7pm. A Zoom link has been sent to associations for circulation to members

One woman has made it her life's work to save honeybees from the most unusual places. www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwal...

Molly's life's work is rescuing honeybees from the strangest of places

If you have a hive in an awkward place - meet the expert in Cornwall who can save the day (and the bees), whether climbing ladders, removing roof tiles, cutting out chunks of walls or climbing into ma...

cornwalllive.com

27 sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets have been confirmed in England by 5.6.26. 3 new last week reported in Kent & East Sussex Please remain vigilant and report all sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app Details: www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet... www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

Three hives in Clitheroe have tested positive for European foulbrood (EFB), a contagious bacterial disease affecting honeybee larvae. www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/2615857...

Contagious bee disease that can cause whole colony to die found in Lancashire

European foulbrood (EFB), a notifiable bee disease, confirmed in three Clitheroe hives, Lancashire. APHA urges UK beekeepers to report suspected…

lancashiretelegraph.co.uk

A new report has predicted a shortfall of close to 300,000 beehives for this year's peak crop pollination season in August, as the deadly parasite varroa mite wipes out bees. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

'Not enough' bees for crop pollination as parasite takes over

A new report warns of a massive pollination shortfall in Australia this year as varroa mite wipes out hives and forces beekeepers out.

abc.net.au

A new report has predicted a shortfall of close to 300,000 beehives for this year's peak crop pollination season in August, as the deadly parasite varroa mite wipes out bees. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06...

'Not enough' bees for crop pollination as parasite takes over

A new report warns of a massive pollination shortfall in Australia this year as varroa mite wipes out hives and forces beekeepers out.

abc.net.au

27 sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets have been confirmed in England by 5.6.26. 3 new this week reported in Kent & East Sussex Please remain vigilant and report all sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app Details: www.bbka.org.uk/asian-hornet... www.nationalbeeunit.com/about-us/bee...

(BBKA) is launching a new education programme to help children learn about pollinators, invasive species and environmental stewardship — while contributing to national Yellow-legged Asian hornet monitoring efforts. www.bbka.org.uk/pollinator-s...

Pollinator Protectors!

A FREE Primary School Citizen Science Project. Unit 1 available now!

bbka.org.uk

Update 5.6.26 3 further credible reports of Yellow-Legged Hornet (YLH) sightings this week. Tunbridge Wells, Kent - 29 May Ashford, Kent - 31 May. Brighton and Hove, East Sussex - 1 June