Hives and Habitats on Strikingly

Hives and Habitats
Pollinator Health, Management & Conservation
Welcome!

Our mission is to support a healthy pollinator population through research, conservation and education.

Solitary Bees vs. Social Bees
There are over 20,000 bee species worldwide. Honey bees, are one of the best known 'bees' due to their treasure troves of honey, beeswax, pollination services and other benefits to mankind. Honey bees however are an exception to the bee world. Most bees are solitary, and nest in hollow twigs, or burrow underground. If you disturb a solitary bee nest, and if the female is inside the nest and not on a foraging trip, she may buzz past but she won't sting to defend her nest. This is a one big difference between honey bees (which are truly social) and solitary bees. Honey bees will not only defend their nests, they will die to do so. Honey bee workers are the only bee with barbed detachable stingers that continue to pump venom into their victim long after the bee is swatted away to die. Female solitary bees have the ability to sting, but usually only do when trapped in a hand. Another big difference between solitary bees and honey bees is the number of individuals in the nest. A honey bee nest is usually composed of an egg-laying queen, depending on the season a few hundred male drones, hundreds of thousands of workers (guards, foragers, nurse bees, etc.), and the next generation developing as brood- eggs, larvae and pupal bees. Whereas a solitary bee nest is composed of the brood on their own personal provisions in a nest made by a single mother bee who does all of the egg-laying, foraging and making the nest. She has no time or desire to risk her future potential nests by attempting to defend just one nest.
Bee Gallery
Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee News
The latest efforts to develop conservation management tools for Hawaiian yellow-faced bees:
Field Guide to the Endangered and Introduced Bees of Hawaii
Research Update April 2017
Presentation at University of Hawaii-Manoa
Videos
Enjoy!

USFWS Pacific Islands Coastal Program video sharing our research project.
Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee Research Pics
Photos of our conservation management research with endangered Hawaiian yellow-faced bees
The potential management of the chimney bee

The opportunity to study the ground-nesting, chimney bee (Anthophora abrupta) arose when a homeowner found a nest aggregation in an open-air shed. After learning that A. abrupta are beneficial, the homeowner opted against chemical control, and instead collaborated on research. I prescribed a nesting habitat augmentation which involved artificial nest blocks made of clay, splitting the mother nest aggregation, and selective relocation of populated nest material. This was successful and led to an increase in each local population.
Chimney Bee
Featured Creature article for IFAS Extension
Native Buzz: Citizen science for solitary bees and wasps
Cedar Post Nest Site Building Plans
Bumble Bee Research
For my masters research at University of Florida, I studied small hive beetle attraction to honey bee and bumble bee colonies. This was done by collecting airborne volatiles from bumble bee and honey bee components (adult bees, immature bees, wax, pollen, honey) and whole colonies; comparing these volatiles through analysis with gas chromatagraph mass spectometry (GCMS); performing choice tests- in which reared small hive beetles chose between these components in 4-way olfactometric choice test arenas; screening commercial and wild bumble bee colonies for small hive beetles and associated yeast (Kodomaea ohmeri); analyzing yeast via developmental assays, morphometrics, and DNA analysis.
Contact me to learn more about this study
Kodamaea ohmeri in bumble bee colonies
Comparison of bumble bee and honey bee colony airborne volatiles
Bombus Gallery
Images from Bombus research
Honey Bee Research
My first experience working with honey bees was in 2006 when I took a beekeeping class and lab taught by Dr. Dewey Caron. We learned the parts of the hive, bee development, bee anatomy, seasonal beekeeping, products of the hive, pests and diseases, bee diversity, and much more in the lecture portion of the class and got hands-on experience managing our own hives in the apiary during the lab portion of the class. Since that course, I've been fascinated with honey bees and bees of all kind.

I worked with honey bees throughout my graduate studies in Dr. Jamie Ellis' Honey Bee Research & Extension Laboratory at University of Florida. I was an advisor for the Master Beekeeper Program, and a speaker for each of the Bee College events throughout graduate school. I helped to manage the Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory bee hives, in our apiary, on the experimental farm in Citra, at the UF President's mansion, on blueberry farms, and at Austin Cary Forest. I taught several college level courses at a Teaching Assistant or as a Guest Lecturer providing open hive demos and beekeeping related workshops. I also provided beekeeping presentations around the state at elementary schools, beekeeping clubs, master gardener meetings, retirement communities, botanical gardens, zoos, museums, and more. I got to meet and work with some of the brightest minds in beekeeping as they would visit to meet, attend or speak at classes in Bee College events or conduct research at University of Florida. The support network for beekeeping in Florida was the gold standard. I regularly interacted with growers, apiary inspectors, bee club members (with beekeeping clubs in nearly every county in the state), county extension agents, and researchers from private industries, universities, and government agencies.

Unfortunately, here in Hawaii, the beekeeping community have many fewer resources than what beekeepers enjoyed in Florida. Though my hope is to offer as much support as I can, and I am actively working to strengthen the beekeeping community and provide resources for Hawaiian beekeepers. I'm currently an advisor for the Iolani School Apiary Club, this is a group of >100 student and faculty members who are eager to get started with bees of their own. They are also helping with my yellow-faced bee work. I started the Oahu Buzz Beekeeping Club in Hawaii, an online beekeeping community which also now meets on the North Shore. I am working with beekeepers and growers and am offering workshops, presentations, and open hive demos to help this community.
Standard methods for wax moth research
Bibliography

The potential management of a ground-nesting, solitary bee: Anthophora abrupta (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Florida Entomologist 98(2): 528-535.
Graham, J R; Wilcox, E; Ellis, J D (2015)
Managing a locally rare, ground-nesting bee with artificial nest sites and selective dispersal via translocation of nest materials.
Native Buzz: Citizen scientists creating nesting habitat for solitary bees and wasps.
Florida Scientist 77(4): 1-15.
Graham, J R; Tan, Q; Jones, L C; Ellis, J D (2014)
A citizen science project was developed to inspire participants to design, build, monitor and report data on solitary bee and wasp artificial nest sites in their backyards.
Standard methods for wax moth research
Apicultural Research 52(1): 1-17.
Ellis, J D; Graham, J R; Mortensen A (2013)
Methods for conducting research on the wax moth, a honey bee nest parasite.
A scientific note on the comparison of airborne volatiles produced by commercial bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies
Apidologie 44(1): 110-112.
Graham, J R; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A; Ellis, J D (2013)
The airborne volatiles were collected from honey bee and bumble bees colonies and analyzed via GCMS, the resulting chemical compounds were compared and found to be quite different.
Kodamaea ohmeri (Ascomycota: Saccharomycotina) presence in commercial Bombus impatiens Cresson and feral Bombus pensylvanicus DeGeer (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies.
Journal of Apicultural Research 50(3): 218-226.
Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Benda, N D; Kurtzman, C P; Boucias, D G (2011)
Kodamaea ohmeri, a yeast known to attract small hive beetles, honey bee nest pests, was found in commercial and feral bumble bee colonies.
Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) attraction to volatiles produced by Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies.
Apidologie 3(42): 326–336.
Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A (2011)
Small hive beetle attraction to various components from honey bee and bumble bee colonies was investigated in 4-way olfactometer choice tests.
Contact Me
I'd like to hear from you.
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Career Preparation

University of Hawaii at Manoa
Bee Research & Conservation
Post-Doctoral Research, Plant and Environment Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa
Identify and monitor individuals, nests and populations of native and non-native bees in the field
Determine and describe native and non-native bee nest architecture, parameters & preferences
Rear immature bees from dissected nests and record life histories and development
Design, implement, and monitor artificial nest systems for habitat enhancement for endangered yellow-faced bees
Develop protocols for collection and captive rearing of native and non-native bees
Prescribe conservation management methods to increase abundance of native bees
University of Florida
Research Assistant
Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology and Nematology
Minor in Agricultural Education and Communication
Establish, transport and maintain honey bee colonies for research projects
Recruit, interview, hire, train and supervise field and laboratory research technicians
Identify, design, construct and implement native bee and wasp research sites
Design, develop and deliver outreach presentations, lectures, workshops and educational materials for various audiences
Assist colleagues in the design and execution of various research projects
Develop and execute research pertaining to PhD degree
University of Florida
Research Assistant
Master of Science, Entomology and Nematology
Assemble honey bee equipment, establish and maintain research apiaries
Design and implement rearing program for research colonies of small hive beetles
Monitor and maintain honey bee and bumble bee colonies for field and lab research
Design, develop and deliver outreach presentations for various audiences
Assist colleagues in the design and execution of various research projects
Develop and execute research pertaining to MS Degree
University of Delaware
Undergraduate Research

Bachelor of Science, Entomology and Applied Ecology
Minor in Wildlife Conservation

Design rearing cages for colonies of coleopteran biological control agents
Monitor and maintain colonies of coleopteran biological control agents
Establish and monitor field sites for evaluation of beetle damage to plants
Design, develop and deliver poster presentations to report results of projects
Develop and execute research pertaining to undergraduate thesis
My Linkedin Page
Connect with me on Linkedin
Native Bee Nest Site Project
Solitary bees and wasps in your backyard
Oahu Buzz
Beekeeping Club on Oahu's North Shore
Honey Buzz
Devoted to honey bees & the beekeepers who love them worldwide!
Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees
A forum for Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee Research
Bee Collective
Hawaii Beekeeping Club & Workshops

Hives and Habitats

Pollinator Health, Management & Conservation

Welcome!

Solitary Bees vs. Social Bees

Bee Gallery

Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee News

The latest efforts to develop conservation management tools for Hawaiian yellow-faced bees:

Field Guide to the Endangered and Introduced Bees of Hawaii

Research Update April 2017

Presentation at University of Hawaii-Manoa

Videos

Enjoy!

USFWS Pacific Islands Coastal Program video sharing our research project.

Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bee Research Pics

Photos of our conservation management research with endangered Hawaiian yellow-faced bees

The potential management of the chimney bee

Chimney Bee

Featured Creature article for IFAS Extension

Native Buzz: Citizen science for solitary bees and wasps

Cedar Post Nest Site Building Plans

Bumble Bee Research

Kodamaea ohmeri in bumble bee colonies

Comparison of bumble bee and honey bee colony airborne volatiles

Bombus Gallery

Images from Bombus research

Honey Bee Research

Standard methods for wax moth research

Bibliography

The potential management of a ground-nesting, solitary bee: Anthophora abrupta (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Florida Entomologist 98(2): 528-535. Graham, J R; Wilcox, E; Ellis, J D (2015)

Native Buzz: Citizen scientists creating nesting habitat for solitary bees and wasps.

Florida Scientist 77(4): 1-15.Graham, J R; Tan, Q; Jones, L C; Ellis, J D (2014)

Standard methods for wax moth research

Apicultural Research 52(1): 1-17.Ellis, J D; Graham, J R; Mortensen A (2013)

A scientific note on the comparison of airborne volatiles produced by commercial bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies

Apidologie 44(1): 110-112.Graham, J R; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A; Ellis, J D (2013)

Kodamaea ohmeri (Ascomycota: Saccharomycotina) presence in commercial Bombus impatiens Cresson and feral Bombus pensylvanicus DeGeer (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies.

Journal of Apicultural Research 50(3): 218-226.Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Benda, N D; Kurtzman, C P; Boucias, D G (2011)

Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) attraction to volatiles produced by Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) colonies.

Apidologie 3(42): 326–336.Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A (2011)

Contact Me

I'd like to hear from you.

Career Preparation

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Bee Research & ConservationPost-Doctoral Research, Plant and Environment Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Florida

Research Assistant Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology and NematologyMinor in Agricultural Education and Communication

University of Florida

Research AssistantMaster of Science, Entomology and Nematology

University of Delaware

Undergraduate Research Bachelor of Science, Entomology and Applied EcologyMinor in Wildlife Conservation

**The potential management of a ground-nesting, solitary bee: Anthophora abrupta (Hymenoptera: Apidae)**

Florida Entomologist 98(2): 528-535.
Graham, J R; Wilcox, E; Ellis, J D (2015)

Florida Scientist 77(4): 1-15.
Graham, J R; Tan, Q; Jones, L C; Ellis, J D (2014)

Apicultural Research 52(1): 1-17.
Ellis, J D; Graham, J R; Mortensen A (2013)

**A scientific note on the comparison of airborne volatiles produced by commercial bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies**

Apidologie 44(1): 110-112.
Graham, J R; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A; Ellis, J D (2013)

Journal of Apicultural Research 50(3): 218-226.
Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Benda, N D; Kurtzman, C P; Boucias, D G (2011)

Apidologie 3(42): 326–336.
Graham, J R; Ellis, J D; Carroll, M J; Teal, P E A (2011)

Bee Research & Conservation
Post-Doctoral Research, Plant and Environment Protection Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Research Assistant
Doctor of Philosophy, Entomology and Nematology
Minor in Agricultural Education and Communication

Research Assistant
Master of Science, Entomology and Nematology

Undergraduate Research

Bachelor of Science, Entomology and Applied Ecology
Minor in Wildlife Conservation