British Beekeepers Association
LightNews LightNews
banner
bbka.org.uk
British Beekeepers Association
@bbka.org.uk
930 followers 24 following 2.6K posts
This is the page for the British Beekeepers' Association, a national charity supporting bees and beekeepers.

https://www.bbka.org.uk/
Posts Replies Media Videos
bbka.org.uk
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...
June 19, 2026 at 3:56 PM
bbka.org.uk
Two new sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets

Pluckley, Kent, Sighting - 08/06/2026

Whitfield, Dover, Kent, Nest - 13/06/2026
June 19, 2026 at 3:45 PM
bbka.org.uk
Please remember the BBKA Forum is available for a wide range of friendly chat and questions about beekeeping

www.bbkaforum.co.uk
June 19, 2026 at 8:05 AM
bbka.org.uk
Please be aware that some beekeepers are reporting colonies low on stores and at risk of starvation.
June 18, 2026 at 9:55 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
www.theguardian.com
June 18, 2026 at 8:22 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 18, 2026 at 8:19 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 17, 2026 at 10:22 AM
bbka.org.uk
Non-native species week runs from 22nd- 28th June. Check for details here:

www.nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-d...
June 17, 2026 at 8:15 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 16, 2026 at 8:04 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
June 15, 2026 at 8:05 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 14, 2026 at 8:06 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
June 13, 2026 at 10:12 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
June 13, 2026 at 8:46 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 12, 2026 at 2:29 PM
bbka.org.uk
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.
www.democrata.es
June 12, 2026 at 9:16 AM
bbka.org.uk
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 [email protected] for venue information.
June 12, 2026 at 9:12 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 12, 2026 at 8:08 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
www.bbka.org.uk
June 11, 2026 at 11:44 AM
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
Log in to the site | BBKA
memberhub.bbka.org.uk
June 11, 2026 at 8:06 AM
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.
www.abc.net.au
June 10, 2026 at 10:26 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
Disease incidence » APHA - National Bee Unit - BeeBase
www.nationalbeeunit.com
June 10, 2026 at 8:03 AM
bbka.org.uk
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
June 9, 2026 at 8:04 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
www.cornwalllive.com
June 8, 2026 at 9:19 AM
bbka.org.uk
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...
June 8, 2026 at 8:10 AM
bbka.org.uk
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…
www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk
June 7, 2026 at 8:19 AM