Rearing Queen Bees

Mar 31, 2010

It wouldn't dare rain on Susan Cobey's queen bee-rearing classes.

And it didn't today.

Well, a little sprinkle, but that was it.

Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey, manager of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis, teaches queen bee-rearing classes and queen bee insemination classes every spring.

Beekeepers know they have to register early because the classes fill up rapidly. A noted honey bee geneticist, she draws students from throughout the world.

Her class today included mostly Californians, but some from Oregon, Washington and New Mexico.

She explained all about how to rear queen bees. Tomorrow: a tour of Northern California queen bee producers.

And maybe no rain.
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Author - Communications specialist
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Attached Images:

BEE BREEDER-GENETICIST Susan Cobey (left) shows a hive to the students in her queen bee-rearing class. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Susan Cobey

THIS FRAME shows a thriving brood. The queen is definitely busy laying eggs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Brood

HELLO WORLD!--A honey bee pokes her head out of her cell. Soon she'll be crawling around and assuming her duties and responsibilities. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Hello, World!

NEWLY EMERGED honey bee crawls along the comb, looking for her sisters. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Newly Emerged