Honeybee Schedule
Honey Bee Biology 101
Dr. Brian McCornack, Ph.D. Entomology; Professor and Department HeadDepartment of Entomology Kansas State University
Honey bees may be small, but their biology is highly organized and essential to the success of the colonies they form and the plants they pollinate. This session introduces the fundamentals of honey bee biology that connect directly to veterinary perspectives, given their status as livestock and overall importance to our food systems. We will explore the structure and function of the honey bee hive and highlight how honey bees operate as a “superorganism.” Attendees will learn the basics of honey bee biology, communication, nutrition, and immunity, with a focus on traits that influence colony health and resilience. Because honey bees are increasingly managed like other domesticated animals, veterinarians are playing an increasingly important role in the success of this species. This session creates a foundation for the remaining talks by helping participants understand how a colony works, how bees interact with their environment and each other, and why veterinary expertise is essential as beekeeping evolves amid modern agricultural and environmental pressures.
The Honey Bee Crisis - What we know and where we go
Dr. Brian McCornack, Ph.D. Entomology; Professor and Department HeadDepartment of Entomology Kansas State University
Pollinators like honey bees are facing unprecedented pressures from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate extremes, nutritional stress, and emerging pests and diseases. This session provides an overview of the “honey bee crisis” and what current science reveals about its causes. We will summarize key patterns observed globally, including declining colony survival rates and the increasing instability of wild and managed pollinator populations. Most importantly, we will discuss what these trends mean for veterinarians who support animal agriculture and ecosystem health. While honey bees are the most widely managed pollinator species, they are only one piece of a larger ecological network. Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to bring a One Health lens to the problem by bridging animal health, agricultural sustainability, and community well‑being. The session concludes with forward-looking strategies that integrate improved diagnostics, better collaboration among agriculture and natural resource sectors, and practical steps veterinarians can take to contribute to healthier pollinator environments in their communities.
Honey Integrity and Honey Bee Health
Dr. Brian McCornack, Ph.D. Entomology; Professor and Department HeadDepartment of Entomology Kansas State University
Honey is more than a sweet product; it is a direct reflection of colony health, forage availability, and management practices. This session explores the links among honey integrity and authenticity, honey bee well-being, and the ripple effects of adulterated, contaminated, ultra-processed, or low-quality honey in global markets. We will discuss how nutritional stress influences honey production and how pathogens and pests impact the quality of hive products. Participants will also gain insight into the challenges of maintaining product integrity in a marketplace where economically motivated adulteration of honey remains a major issue. By understanding how colony health connects to the quality of honey reaching consumers, practitioners can better advise on disease prevention, pesticide-residue avoidance, and management strategies that support both healthy colonies and trustworthy, safe honey production. We will also discuss how the American Honey Institute at Kansas State University is developing new detection methods to expand access to diagnostic services and support the industry. This session positions honey and bees as biological indicators, or “sensors,” that reflect broader trends in pollinator health and agricultural integrity
Saving an industry, from Humans to Honey Bees
Dr. Brian McCornack, Ph.D. Entomology; Professor and Department HeadDepartment of Entomology Kansas State University
The honey bee industry is at a critical crossroads. While the challenges facing bees are well documented, the pressures on beekeepers and the broader agricultural system are equally significant. This session highlights the interconnected nature of human behavior, economic incentives, regulatory frameworks, and honey bee health. We will explore how workforce shortages, rising management costs, market instability, and misinformation affect the sustainability of beekeeping. We will also discuss the potential therapeutic benefits of keeping bees. At the same time, the session will emphasize solutions and plans to expand the workforce and services needed to help the industry thrive. These include improved diagnostic tools, science-based treatment recommendations, strengthened partnerships between veterinarians and beekeepers, and community-level efforts to support pollinator-friendly practices and services. Honey bees are domesticated livestock that depend on human decisions, and the industry's future requires coordinated action. By recognizing the expanding role of honey bees in agriculture, veterinarians can help ensure that both bees and the people who rely on them thrive in a rapidly changing world.