Lecture 13

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the movements of bees, their products, parasites, and the ecological impacts of these movements.

Pandora’s box

A metaphorical source of unforeseen troubles or problems stemming from a single action.

Hephaestus

The Greek god who created Pandora out of clay.

Zeus

The king of the Greek gods who instructed Hephaestus to create Pandora.

Honey bees

Non-native pollinators brought to America by English settlers in 1622.

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture, which estimated the market value of honey bee products.

$700 million

The estimated total value of honey bee products in the U.S. for the year 2022.

Beeswax

A valuable product produced by honey bees, worth over $500 million in the U.S.

Red clover

A plant imported to New Zealand to feed livestock and enrich soil, but not recognized by native bees.

Killer Bees

A term for Africanized bees, known for their aggressive behavior but not significantly deadly.

Apis mellifera

The scientific name for the managed honey bee species.

Independent variable

The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured in response to changes in the independent variable.

Varroa mites

Parasites that affect honey bees, leading to various health issues.

Chalkbrood

A fungal disease affecting honey bee larvae.

Nosema

A microsporidian parasite affecting honey bees.

Deformed Wing Virus

A viral disease transmitted by Varroa mites, impacting honey bee health.

Ectoparasitic

Referring to parasites that live on the outside of their host, such as the Varroa mite.

Transmission routes

Paths through which diseases or pathogens spread from one species to another.

Competitive interactions

Interactions that occur when two or more species vie for the same resource.

Spillover

The transfer of pathogens from one species to another.

Bumblebees

Wild pollinators that can be infected by diseases associated with managed honey bees.

Mason bees

A group of solitary bees that include species introduced to the U.S. and native species.

Exotic bees

Non-native bee species introduced to an ecosystem.

Competitive exclusion

The principle stating that two species competing for the same resource cannot coexist.

Cane toads

A similar example of a species introduction that caused ecological disruption (although not in the notes, it serves as a comparative example).

Pathogen spread

The movement of pathogens from infected species to healthy populations.

Disease epidemiology

The study of how diseases spread and impact populations.

Honeybee colony

A social structure consisting of a large number of honey bees living together.

Importation of bees

The act of bringing bee species from one geographical area to another.

Native bees

Bees that evolved in a particular region and are adapted to its ecosystem.

Plant reproduction

The process by which plants produce new individuals from seeds or spores.

Petitioning for pollinators

The process of advocating for the protection and support of bee species.

Extinction risk

The likelihood that a species may become extinct.

Ecological disruption

Significant alteration of an ecosystem due to the introduction of new species.

Honey production

The process through which bees convert nectar into honey, a commercially significant product.

Global transport

The worldwide movement of species, which can lead to unintended consequences.

Research methods

Techniques used in scientific studies to gather and analyze data.

Anthropogenic effects

Environmental changes caused by human activity.

Genetic diversity

The variety of genetic information within a species, important for resilience.

Isolation

A condition that can affect species adaptation and survival.

Endangered species

Species that are at risk of extinction.

Conservation strategies

Plans and actions implemented to protect and preserve species and their habitats.

Invasive species

Species that are non-native and cause harm to the ecosystems into which they are introduced.

Ecological studies

Research focused on understanding interactions within ecosystems.