Honey bee colony introduced at St Andrews

A honey bee colony has been established at the University of St Andrews, in collaboration with the Fife Beekeepers Association.

Bill Macrae from the Fife Beekeepers Association explained that: “In terms of funding for the apiary, St Andrews University have been very generous with providing a site, levelling the ground, laying concrete slabs and making stands to put the hives on. Members of the Fife Beekeepers Association are providing the hives, bees and expertise.”

The global bee decline is becoming an issue in many countries. Bee pollination is necessary to most crops, so that they have an economical importance.

Over the recent years, honey bees have been declining around the world at an alarming rate, with a 50 per cent decrease in the last 20 years in Britain. Causes for this decline are unclear. Barbara Aitken, the University’s Environment Officer said: “It is most likely due to a combination of factors such as pests and diseases, including the Varroa mite and wet weather, as well as viruses, parasites, insecticide use, habitat loss or climate change.”

Bill Macrae told The Journal: “I hope and expect that the colonies at the St Andrews University apiary can reach a state, both in terms of numbers and honey stores which will enable them to survive”.

Bees are unpredictable and it is difficult to tell how well the new bee colony will adapt to its environment. Mr Macrae said that “initially, the main challenge will be to build up the colonies."

The location of the bee colony on the grounds of the University of St Andrews is expected to provide an attractive environment with higher pollen diversity than in rural areas.

To ensure that the bees get enough food and water, a variety of fruit trees will be planted by the Estates Grounds Department. Upon success of this colony, the University of St Andrews hopes to build more hives at other sites.

The bee colony will benefit local plant pollination and increase biodiversity in the local area. Barbara Aitken explained: “The aims of the initiative are to first enable University researchers to make effective behavioural and ecological observations”.

These observations could help give recommendations for other beekeepers about bee survival. Ms Aitken added: “In the long term, the aims are to help deliver a sustainable bee population for future generations and pave the way to high quality honey production.

“It will give an opportunity for the Fife Beekeepers Association to train local volunteers to observe high standards of bee husbandry and raise public awareness of the importance of bees in the ecosystem.

“We have already had enquiries from both staff and students expressing interest both as volunteers and in becoming members of Fife beekeeping association”.