It has been a harrowing two decades for the European honeybee, and the thousands of apiarists who keep them. A host of factors likely contributed to the phenomenon, but on the Vineyard one pest has risen above the rest to become enemy number one: the indomitable varroa mite.

Vineyard Haven beekeeper Tim Colon received more calls than usual this year from startled Islanders reporting swarms of bees. A swarm is awe-inspiring to witness.

Carpenter bees are coming out of the woodwork.

Native bees deserve much credit, and are impressive in their pollinating talent, diversity and sheer numbers.

A discussion next week will look at the importance of native bees and how to create a welcoming habitat for them.

Wasps, especially yellow jackets, have been out in full force, and folks are noticing and fearing them.

What I don’t know is a lot! For example, all the petals of the echinacea are being eaten by a tiny worm. I can barely see it with my reading glasses. Sadly, only the center of the blossom remains on many of the flowers. I had several varieties in different colors. Honestly, it is always something!

Big doings out at Bayes-Norton Farm. I’ve been watching all week and wondering if the garden is being expanded or a if a house is on the way. Those big machines sure make short work of land clearing. I was thinking about our ancestors doing the same task with nothing but beasts of burden and pure brawn. They couldn’t stop by for take-out on the way home either.

Every morning since April 24, Paul Goldstein has set out 30 colored soufflé cups with soapy water in them, a technique called bee bowling.

Pollinators, start your engines!

I am hoping for a bounteous blueberry crop this year. Though only time will tell, we can get a hint as to what is to come by looking at the spring flowers that the blueberry bushes have started to produce.