Wednesday, 4 February 2026, 19:30
Our next winter talk will be by evolutionary biologist and Emeritus Professor Jacques van Alphen, explaining how genetic variation helps keep honey bees healthy. The warm conditions and close contact of honey bees within their nest environment assists colony development and survival but can increase their vulnerability to pathogens. Adaptations such as hygienic behaviour and antibiotic substances in the nest and food of honey bees do help but there are other major lines of defence. The unique mating and breeding habits of honey bees creates high genetic variability essential for survival but this can be eroded by the loss of rare alleles through selection for other traits in commercial breeding programmes.
The talk is for SNHBS members only. If you’re not a member, please join us here.
SNHBS members can also view recordings of previous talks here.
Photo: National Honey Show