News Stories - Page 9

Vaccines are a proven benefit in the world of animal science. Producers have vaccinated livestock and pet owners have vaccinated dogs and cats for decades. Soon beekeepers may be able to protect their colonies through vaccination. The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Dalan Animal Health have teamed up to advance the world’s first honey bee vaccine.

Cooler weather may be upon us, but as we open windows and head outside, it is important to remember that we are still in mosquito season. Recent rains have filled all of the containers, cracks and crevices that can hold water around our homes and neighborhoods. While working around my yard, I have found mosquito larvae in the bird bath, a garbage can lid and in the rim of a recycling container.

New research from the University of Georgia revealed that mixed land use — such as developments interspersed with forest patches — improves bee diversity and is leading to new solutions for bee conservation. UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers found that small amounts of development actually had a positive impact on the number of bee species present in a given area.

They have been described as palm-sized, parachuting creatures with the potential to spread up the East Coast. Now dozens of webs are appearing in trees, on fences and in gardens around the Southeast, and social media and message boards are buzzing with Joro spider sightings. Discussions of eradication methods ranging from chemical sprays to “Joro sticks” are rampant. Joro season is here.

The Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes national conference will come to Athens, Georgia, from Oct. 10 through 12. The annual conference brings together various research professionals, educators, practitioners and others interested in bee conservation through discussions, talks and continued education sessions. It is the first time in the history of the conference that it will be held in the Southeast.

It doesn’t matter if you love them or fear them, insects are all around us. At Insect-ival, attendees can satiate their curiosity or overcome their fears as they learn about the environmental impact of insects in Georgia — and beyond. The 32nd annual event will be held Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of University of Georgia Public Service and Outreach. The event is $5 per person or $20 per family.