The Back Yard Beekeepers Association (BYBA) in Connecticut will present speaker Paula Wolf on Sept. 30. Wolf is the Connecticut State Apiary Inspector & BYBA Vice President and an authority on keeping hives healthy all year round. The meeting is in person and Wolf will be speaking IN-PERSON. The event begins at 7 p.m. to allow time to socialize and chat with other members of the club. The speaker presentation will begin at 7:30 pm. The location is Norfield Congregational Church located at 64 Norfield Rd in Weston. Even though the event is free, please register at https://backyardbeekeepers.com.
Wolf will discuss two serious invasive threats that could impact beekeeping in our region: the Yellow-Legged Hornet (Vespa velutina) and the Tropilaelaps mite (Tropilaelaps spp.).
These pests are not yet established in most parts of the United States, but recent detections have raised alarms in the beekeeping and agricultural communities. The Yellow-Legged Hornet is a highly aggressive predator of honey bees and poses a significant risk to colony health and local pollination systems. Meanwhile, Tropilaelaps mites—though currently absent from North America—are even more damaging than Varroa mites in regions where they are established, due to their rapid reproduction and destructive effects on brood.
Wolf will provide an overview of the biology, identification, and behavior of these pests, how they spread, and what beekeepers can do to help with early detection and prevention. Attendees will learn how to monitor their colonies, report sightings, and stay informed about ongoing surveillance and regulatory efforts.
This talk is essential for all beekeepers who want to stay proactive and informed in protecting their hives from emerging invasive threats.
There is not an option for participants to join virtually. If you are unable to join us, club members will be able to view this and past monthly meeting recordings in the Members Only portion of the website under BYBA Presentations.
Questions? Contact BYBA’s Paula Wolf at paulawolf@email.com.
