Latest news with #DepartmentofEntomology
Express Tribune
17-06-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Rational use of farm inputs stressed
Experts have said that the insects' resistance has intensified due to changing climate pattern and excessive use of pesticides in agriculture, which is posing serious threats to food security. Addressing a National Postgraduate Entomology Research Conference organised by Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in collaboration with Pakistan Entomological Society and Young Entomologist Society, they urged the entomologists to enhance their role in coping with the situation at the national level.
Associated Press
29-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
ToBe Launches Smart Beekeeping Breakthrough and Invites Investment to Combat Global Pollination Crisis
05/28/2025, Kefar Sava, Israel // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe and beekeeper (source: ToBe) Agri-tech innovator ToBe officially introduced HiveMaster, an IoT-based beekeeping device that aims to safeguard honeybee populations and revitalize the global pollination ecosystem. With food systems worldwide under increasing pressure due to collapsing bee colonies, the company's scalable solution presents an opportunity to address the pollination crisis. As ToBe opens its current investment round, it invites investors to join a mission that combines resilience, advanced technology, and planetary stewardship. 'Our world depends on bees more than most realize,' says Eric Joely, CEO of ToBe. 'People might think it's just about honey. But it's about almonds, apples, avocados, and every third bite we take. We developed HiveMaster to give beekeepers the power to protect their colonies without harming the bees, the honey, or the environment. We're opening this investment round to scale a solution that supports global food security and renews an industry under siege.' After stabilizing the technology and making it market-ready, ToBe is currently in Series A fundraising to facilitate rapid, worldwide growth. 'ToBe will be present in at least half of the colonies around the world, turning the hives into smart, tech-enabled hives, and driving the industry into the future. That is the goal, that is the mission. Is it ambitious? Yes, but that's what it will take to solve this problem,' says Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe, and a passionate beekeeper. HiveMaster is an in-hive device that brings precision agriculture into the beekeeping world. The system automatically administers finely controlled pulses of anti-Varroa treatment in gas form, reducing the need for manual labor and chemical exposure. If conventional approaches flood hives with pesticides that leave harmful residues in honey and wax, ToBe's device tailors treatment in real-time using integrated sensors, data analytics, and AI protocols. The result is 95% efficacy against the Varroa mite, the parasitic culprit behind the majority of global bee colony collapses. Independent trials conducted in 2024 by the Department of Entomology at an American university confirmed HiveMaster's remarkable performance. Compared to beehive strips, the leading conventional treatment, ToBe's device delivered more than double the efficacy while maintaining consistent results across all hives. Apivar-treated hives showed high variability and potential resistance issues. Meanwhile, HiveMaster's gas-phase delivery ensured even treatment across brood cells and nurse bees. Colonies utilizing HiveMaster experienced no measurable drop in vitality, even after repeated treatments. It showed a 30% increase in honey yield and significant improvements in pollination strength. This performance is thanks to ToBe's design innovations from over five years of dedicated research and development. From its initial concept in 2018, ToBe's team of experts in biology, chemistry, electrical and mechanical engineering, and data science pursued a single goal of developing a device that could replicate the most effective miticide delivery system without the labor intensity and toxicity of existing methods. 'After extensive biological trials and multiple iterations, we finally developed HiveMaster. It's flood-proof, propolis-resistant, and compatible with 95% of global hive frames,' says Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe. The plug-and-play unit installs in under a minute, requires no maintenance for a year, and communicates seamlessly with a solar-powered external unit and a beekeeper's smartphone app. This feature enables continuous updates, remote diagnostics, and optimized treatment schedules. The response from industry insiders has been positive. Commercial beekeepers and associations have already begun incorporating HiveMaster into their operations. A beekeeper from the US shares: 'ToBe's solution offers a highly effective and urgently needed alternative. The colonies that were treated with HiveMaster are the best colonies we have.' The chairman of an organization of honey producers echoes the sentiment. He states: 'Many members of our association, who collectively own almost half a million hives, have shown great interest in this technology. This is primarily due to its phenomenal efficacy and the significant reduction in the use of miticides in the hives.' ToBe plans to expand its offerings into a broader smart hive ecosystem. The company is developing advanced features that will support additional pest control, hive performance benchmarking, and yield forecasting. It's also exploring strategic partnerships with large-scale food producers and agri-tech firms to integrate HiveMaster into broader supply chains and pollination management systems. With regulatory approval already secured in Israel and advanced applications underway in key markets, ToBe is preparing for rapid global deployment. Supporting ToBe means helping solve one of the most urgent ecological crises of the time while creating value across the food supply chain. The company welcomes interest from angel investors, venture capital funds, and strategic partners aligned with its mission. There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. Media Contact Name: Avner Einav Email: [email protected] Source published by Submit Press Release >> ToBe Launches Smart Beekeeping Breakthrough and Invites Investment to Combat Global Pollination Crisis
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ToBe Launches Smart Beekeeping Breakthrough and Invites Investment to Combat Global Pollination Crisis
ToBe launches HiveMaster, a smart beekeeping device with proven efficacy. It's now open to angel, venture, and strategic investment as it scales globally to protect bees and ensure food security. Kefar Sava, Israel, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe and beekeeper (source: ToBe) Agri-tech innovator ToBe officially introduced HiveMaster, an IoT-based beekeeping device that aims to safeguard honeybee populations and revitalize the global pollination ecosystem. With food systems worldwide under increasing pressure due to collapsing bee colonies, the company's scalable solution presents an opportunity to address the pollination crisis. As ToBe opens its current investment round, it invites investors to join a mission that combines resilience, advanced technology, and planetary stewardship. 'Our world depends on bees more than most realize,' says Eric Joely, CEO of ToBe. 'People might think it's just about honey. But it's about almonds, apples, avocados, and every third bite we take. We developed HiveMaster to give beekeepers the power to protect their colonies without harming the bees, the honey, or the environment. We're opening this investment round to scale a solution that supports global food security and renews an industry under siege.' After stabilizing the technology and making it market-ready, ToBe is currently in Series A fundraising to facilitate rapid, worldwide growth. 'ToBe will be present in at least half of the colonies around the world, turning the hives into smart, tech-enabled hives, and driving the industry into the future. That is the goal, that is the mission. Is it ambitious? Yes, but that's what it will take to solve this problem,' says Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe, and a passionate beekeeper. HiveMaster is an in-hive device that brings precision agriculture into the beekeeping world. The system automatically administers finely controlled pulses of anti-Varroa treatment in gas form, reducing the need for manual labor and chemical exposure. If conventional approaches flood hives with pesticides that leave harmful residues in honey and wax, ToBe's device tailors treatment in real-time using integrated sensors, data analytics, and AI protocols. The result is 95% efficacy against the Varroa mite, the parasitic culprit behind the majority of global bee colony collapses. Independent trials conducted in 2024 by the Department of Entomology at an American university confirmed HiveMaster's remarkable performance. Compared to beehive strips, the leading conventional treatment, ToBe's device delivered more than double the efficacy while maintaining consistent results across all hives. Apivar-treated hives showed high variability and potential resistance issues. Meanwhile, HiveMaster's gas-phase delivery ensured even treatment across brood cells and nurse bees. Colonies utilizing HiveMaster experienced no measurable drop in vitality, even after repeated treatments. It showed a 30% increase in honey yield and significant improvements in pollination strength. This performance is thanks to ToBe's design innovations from over five years of dedicated research and development. From its initial concept in 2018, ToBe's team of experts in biology, chemistry, electrical and mechanical engineering, and data science pursued a single goal of developing a device that could replicate the most effective miticide delivery system without the labor intensity and toxicity of existing methods. 'After extensive biological trials and multiple iterations, we finally developed HiveMaster. It's flood-proof, propolis-resistant, and compatible with 95% of global hive frames,' says Avner Einav, VP of Product at ToBe. The plug-and-play unit installs in under a minute, requires no maintenance for a year, and communicates seamlessly with a solar-powered external unit and a beekeeper's smartphone app. This feature enables continuous updates, remote diagnostics, and optimized treatment schedules. The response from industry insiders has been positive. Commercial beekeepers and associations have already begun incorporating HiveMaster into their operations. A beekeeper from the US shares: 'ToBe's solution offers a highly effective and urgently needed alternative. The colonies that were treated with HiveMaster are the best colonies we have.' The chairman of an organization of honey producers echoes the sentiment. He states: 'Many members of our association, who collectively own almost half a million hives, have shown great interest in this technology. This is primarily due to its phenomenal efficacy and the significant reduction in the use of miticides in the hives.' ToBe plans to expand its offerings into a broader smart hive ecosystem. The company is developing advanced features that will support additional pest control, hive performance benchmarking, and yield forecasting. It's also exploring strategic partnerships with large-scale food producers and agri-tech firms to integrate HiveMaster into broader supply chains and pollination management systems. With regulatory approval already secured in Israel and advanced applications underway in key markets, ToBe is preparing for rapid global deployment. Supporting ToBe means helping solve one of the most urgent ecological crises of the time while creating value across the food supply chain. The company welcomes interest from angel investors, venture capital funds, and strategic partners aligned with its mission. There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation. Media Contact Name: Avner Einav Email: avner@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Study finds stingless bees increase crop yield, quality
GUWAHATI A new study has shown that stingless bees, which produce a high-value honey with a distinct flavour, can increase the yield and quality of crops. Researchers from Nagaland University's Department of Entomology identified Tetragonula iridipennis and Lepidotrigona arcifera, two species of stingless bees, as the most efficient among 11 insect varieties recorded foraging on chilli booms in the open 'under low hill conditions'. The yield and quality of chilli and other crops increased several times when these stingless bees were introduced as pollinators under greenhouse conditions, the study published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Farm Sciences said. Entomologists Avinash Chauhan and Imtinaro L. of the university based in Nagaland's Lumami are the authors of the study. Their research over 10 years also yielded methods to minimise losses while rearing stingless bees for quality honey production free from impurities. 'Stingless bees can be used for pollination without fear of being stung. They are known for their popular medicinal honey and pollination potential, which paves the way formulation of crop pollination calendars to benefit all stakeholders. The honey produced by the bees during the experiments also provided extra income besides good crop production,' Dr Chauhan said. Of the 11 insect species observed on chilli crops 'grown as per good agricultural practices', syrphid flies, houseflies, and stingless bees were found to have foraged the most. The yield and quality parameters under different modes of pollination revealed that bees were superior pollinators. The researchers found that the fruit set in stingless bee-pollinated king chilli (Capsicum chinense) increased to 29.46% over the non-pollinated crop (21% yield). Similarly, the fruit set in chilli (Capsicum annuum) increased by 7.42% over the non-pollinated crop. The seed weight, an indicator of viability or germination, also increased by 60.47% when pollinated by the stingless bees. 'We are now working to improve the beekeeping rearing techniques and promote scientific beekeeping with honey bees and stingless bees for better honey production and pollination of crops. The focus is also to raise awareness among the people for the conservation of other wild honey bees and pollinators,' Dr Chauhan said. The other crops used for the stingless bee pollination test included cucumber, ash gourd, watermelon, tomato, pumpkin, brinjal, and dragon fruit. The potential of these bees as pollinators for fruits such as mango, guava, gooseberry, and Indian jujube was also observed and recorded. Stingless bees are reported primarily from the northeastern, eastern, and southern Indian States. In the northeast, these bees are reared traditionally in homestead apiaries.
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Tagged Monarchs Found
Tagged monarch butterflies are beginning to show up in known overwintering clusters in Christchurch. Three tagged butterflies have been observed so far in the cluster in Redwood Park, sheltering from the worst of the stormy weather. They will come out on sunny days to find nectar before returning to the safety of the swarm. 'We are concerned at the apparent decline in monarch butterflies in NZ,' said Jacqui Knight, founding trustee of the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust. 'This season we reintroduced our tagging project. We enlisted the help of over 250 'citizen scientists' up and down the country, including many schools, and have distributed 10,000 specially made tags.' In the spring the surviving monarchs mate and return to gardens or anywhere where there are swan plants growing. The females lay eggs, beginning the new generation of monarch butterflies. In 2003 two entomologists documented over 20 overwintering sites in the Canterbury area but there are few records of sites elsewhere in NZ. 'I'm not sure if people know about the monarchs overwintering, or they just haven't shared that information.' In North America, there are huge concerns for the decline in monarchs where they are native. The monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrate hundreds of kilometres every autumn to overwintering sites in Mexico. For almost 45 years scientists were puzzled as to where they went and in 1975 they discovered the first overwintering site. David James, Associate Professor at the Department of Entomology at Washington State University is overseeing the NZ project. David has 13 years' experience with a similar project in North America. 'About 75% of all recoveries are made at overwintering sites,' he said. 'We need more people to particularly look for tagged butterflies.' Sightings can be reported to and a special project has been set up on iNaturalist to monitor overwintering sites:
