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European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that affects Western honey bee larvae. It is a concern to beekeepers everywhere, though it is less serious than American foulbrood because it does not form spores, which means that it can be treated. This 7-page fact sheet written by Catherine M. Mueller, Cameron J. Jack, Ashley N. Mortensen, and Jamie Ellis and published by the UF/IFAS Entomology and Nematology Department describes the disease and explains how to identify it to help beekeepers manage their colonies effectively and prevent the spread of both American and European foulbrood. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1272

Several factors influence the flora throughout Florida, including annual freezes, average temperature, annual rainfall, and soil composition. Because of these variations, plants that grow well in one region may not grow well in another. Climate, plant communities, and timing of floral resources differ significantly between the three main regions in Florida: North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. While many plants are acceptable pollen producers for honey bees, fewer yield enough nectar to produce a surplus honey crop. As such, the tables in this document list the nectar-bearing plants that are present to some degree in each region and the plants' respective bloom times.

Ripiphoridae are a family of unusual parasitic beetles that are thought to be related to tumbling flower beetles and blister beetles. They parasitize bees and wasps, roaches, and wood-boring beetles, but specific hosts for many ripiphorid species are unknown. Their secretive life cycle makes an assessment of their economic and ecological impact very difficult. Additional research is necessary to determine the abundance and impact of Ripiphorus species. This 4-page fact sheet was written by David Owens, Ashley N. Mortensen, Jeanette Klopchin, William Kern, and Jamie D. Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2014. EENY613/IN1069: Wedge-Shaped Beetles (suggested common name) Ripiphorus spp. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Ripiphoridae) (ufl.edu)

Honey bees throughout the world are exposed to numerous pests, parasites, and pathogens. One such parasite is Tropilaelaps spp. Delfinado & Baker, an ectoparasitic mite that feeds on the hemolymph of developing honey bees. Four species of Tropilaelaps have been identified and characterized. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Ashley N. Mortensen, Sarah Burleson, Gunasegaran Chelliah, Ken Johnson, Daniel R. Schmehl, and Jamie D. Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, October 2014. (Photo credit: Pest and Diseases Image Library, Bugwood.org) EENY604/IN1061: Tropilaelaps mite Tropilaelaps spp. Delfinado & Baker (Arachnida: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) (ufl.edu)

Sweat bees are very important pollinators for many wildflowers and crops, including stone fruits, pomme fruits, alfalfa, and sunflower. Sweat bee populations can be encouraged with wildflower plantings and by providing nesting areas. Halictids typically nest in bare soil located in a sunny location. Minimum tillage and insecticide use will help to increase populations of Halictidae and other soil nesting bees. Learn more about this diverse family of bees in this 5-page fact sheet was written by Katie Buckley, Catherine Zettel Nalen, and Jamie Ellis, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, August 2011. EENY499/IN897: Sweat Bees, Halictid Bees, Halictidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Halictidae) (ufl.edu)

ENY-145, a 12-page illustrated fact sheet by Michael K. O’Malley, Jamie D. Ellis, and P. G. Koehler, outlines for pest control operators the standard operating procedures for removing swarms and colonies. Includes additional resources and contacts. Published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, November 2008. ENY-145/IN778: Eradication of Swarms and Colonies for Pest Control Operators (ufl.edu)