4 experts to watch on World Bee Day

World Bee Day is celebrated annually on May 20 to raise awareness about the role of bees and other pollinators in maintaining a healthy planet. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is honoring World Bee Day 2026 by focusing on how humans and bees have been working together to nourish and sustain people and the environment.¹

In recognition of World Bee Day—first celebrated in 2018¹—dvm360 shares video interviews with honeybee medicine experts. View the following linked videos for their insights:

Common diseases in bees

Kaitlyn Krebs, DVM, MBA, DABVP (Canine/Feline), now an associate clinical professor for Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University in Harrison Township, New Jersey, as well as a beekeeper, spoke with dvm360 about viral diseases that veterinarians should be aware of in caring for honey bees and to answer questions from beekeepers in their communities.² In a second video, Krebs explains caring for honeybees in general practice.³

Gaining more experience with honeybees

Erin Jones, PhD, an entomologist, shares ways individuals can get involved in bee medicine and beekeeping, in a dvm360 interview at the 2026 Veterinary Meeting & Expo in Orlando, Florida.⁴ In a second video, Jones shares the No. 1 threat to honeybee hives.⁵

Using apitherapy in patients with cancer

Jörg Mayer, DVM, MS, DABVP, DECZM, DACZM, professor of zoological medicine at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in Athens, discusses how honey and bee venom can be used in oncology treatments.⁶ In a second video, Mayer explains the problem with Varroa mites and their effect on honeybees.⁷

Networking with honeybee veterinarians

Allie Donaldson, DVM, a past president of the Honey Bee Veterinary Consortium (HBVC), discusses the goals of the HBVC, how the organization can be used as a resource for the practice of honeybee medicine, and the opportunities it offers to the veterinary community.⁸ In a second video, Donaldson explains why honeybees need good nutrition.⁹

References

1. World Bee Day-May 20. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.fao.org/world-bee-day/en
2. Coppock K, Krebs K. Common diseases in bees. dvm360. June 23, 2024. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/common-diseases-in-bees
3. Coppock K, Krebs K. Caring for honeybees in general practice. dvm360. June 21, 2024. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/caring-for-honey-bees-in-general-practice
4. Crossley KC, Jones E. Gaining more experience with honeybees. dvm360. January 19, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/gaining-more-experience-with-honey-bees
5. Crossley KC, Jones E. The No. 1 threat to honeybee hives. dvm360. March 5, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/shorts/the-no-1-threat-to-honeybee-hives
6. Crossley KC, Mayer J. Using apitherapy in patients with cancer. dvm360. January 31, 2025. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/shorts/the-no-1-threat-to-honeybee-hives
7. Crossley KC, Mayer J. Varroa mites and their effect on honeybees. dvm360. January 28, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/varroa-mites-and-their-effect-on-honey-bees
8. Crossley KC, Donaldson A. Networking with honeybee veterinarians. January 26, 2026. dvm360. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/networking-with-honey-bee-veterinarians
9. Crossley KC, Donaldson A. Why honeybees need good nutrition. dvm360. March 19, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/shorts/why-honeybees-need-good-nutrition