Bees – Sciences Library News

Sep 13 2018

Protecting Iowa’s Wild Bees: Your Backyard Counts

Posted on September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

Join us at the Sciences Library for “Protecting Iowa’s Wild Bees: Your Backyard Counts” presented by Dr. Stephen D. Hendrix, UI Professor Emeritus.

Wed., Oct. 3, 12:30-1:30 PM, Sciences Library 3rd floor

Pizza & beverages provided while supplies last. Free & open to the public.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Laurie Neuerburg in advance at 319-467-0216.

Aug 09 2018

Beekeeping 101 Event is the Bee’s Knees!

Posted on August 9, 2018August 9, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

There was a lively “hive” of people at the Sciences Library for Beekeeping 101!

We heard an informative talk about bees and beekeeping from Jim Davis.

Then we made a bee-line for the courtyard to take a closer look at bees and how they compare with other insects.

Finally, some of us acted out the waggle dance of the honey bee!

A huge thanks to Jim Davis of the East Central Iowa Beekeepers Association and the Iowa City Science Booster Club for making this an enjoyable and educational day for everyone!

Bombus huntii, M, face, Pennington County, SD_2012-11-14-15.34.51 ZS PMax. Badlands National Park, South Dakota.

Jun 26 2018

Beekeeping 101 at the Sciences Library

Posted on June 26, 2018July 2, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

Join us for Beekeeping 101 at the Sciences Library for an all-ages beekeeping talk and activities on Tuesday, July 31, 2-4 pm!

2-3 PM (Sciences Library room 102): Jim Davis of the East Central Iowa Beekeepers will give a talk on the management of bees, why bees are important, and what you can do to help all bees.

2-4 PM (Sciences Library courtyard): The Iowa City Science Booster Club will lead activities for learning about bee diversity and the bee waggle dance.

Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided.

Jun 05 2018

Beekeeping 101 Exhibit at the Sciences Library

Posted on June 5, 2018June 7, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

Swing by the Sciences Library to see our new exhibit, Beekeeping 101! It features a real honeycomb, wooden bee houses, smoker can, and protective suit. The exhibit includes resources for learning more about beekeeping as well as bee conservation. Thank you to Jim Davis and Jeremy Richardson for sharing their beekeeping supplies with us!

May 18 2018

Bees: Savoring the Fruits of Their Labor

Posted on May 18, 2018May 18, 2018 by Laurie Neuerburg

Bee visiting white flowers Summertime is watermelon season, and while you bite into that juicy watermelon, do you stop and think about the bees that made the existence of the melon possible for you? Whether bees are part of a managed colony or wild bees, whether they are honey bees, bumble bees, or mason bees, they spend their days pollinating the fruits, vegetables, and flowers that you enjoy!

A rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, queen, racine wi, LW Macior 1965 sideface_2017-01-26-12.54 — A rusty patched bumble bee from the USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab’s Photostream.

Bee populations have been on the decline in recent years, and the rusty patched bumble bee is an endangered species in the Midwest. Luckily, there are simple and easy ways that you can roll a welcome mat out for bees where you live. You can cultivate native pollinator plants, reduce your use of pesticides, and if you are really feeling the buzz, use this identification guide Bumble Bees of the Eastern United States to participate as a citizen scientist in Bumble Bee Watch.

Bees do sting, so refrain from petting these fuzzy little creatures. This 1991 government poster found in the Iowa Digital Library says it best: