Back Yard Beekeepers Association Hosts USDA Researcher

WESTON, CT — The Back Yard Beekeepers Association (BYBA) will host Dr. Diana Cox-Foster, a research leader and entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, for a presentation on the impact of environmental stressors on bee health.

The event is scheduled for Feb. 25, 2025, at Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Road in Weston. It will be held in person, with Cox-Foster presenting virtually. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at 7 p.m. for networking, with the presentation beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required at Back Yard Beekeepers Association.

Cox-Foster’s presentation will highlight findings from a three-year study examining the interactions between honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees. The research explores how honey bee apiaries influence native bee populations and examines competition for resources.

Through controlled experiments, researchers studied the effects of large apiaries, including one with 48 colonies, on bumble bee and solitary bee reproduction. The study also monitored local bee species, floral resources and the role of viral pathogens in bee health.

Cox-Foster will also discuss the impact of viral pathogens on the blue orchard bee and how climate conditions and habitat capacity influence pollinator populations.

The event is part of BYBA’s ongoing educational programming for beekeepers and pollinator conservation advocates.