Bee Optimism by Jay D. Evans

Bee Optimism by Jay D. EvansThe title of this book reveals all: Jay Evans approaches science and life with clarity and optimism. Every essay in this book is concise yet funny, and rich in content. Each cleverly worded chapter uncovers exciting findings from complicated research. Some topics covered in these 34 short essays include how bees fat bodies may hold clues to new mite control strategies (the Fats Domino Effect), an aerial view of helicopter beekeepers and burned out

The title of this book reveals all: Jay Evans approaches science and life with clarity and optimism. Every essay in this book is concise yet funny, and rich in content. Each cleverly-worded chapter uncovers exciting findings from complicated research. Some topics covered in these 34 short essays include how bees’ fat bodies may hold clues to new mite control strategies (the “Fats Domino Effect”), an aerial view of helicopter beekeepers and burned out foragers, why bees drink dirty water, chasmogasmy in soybeans, “trait rot”, genetic signatures described as chords composed of eight genetic notes, and winter bees as the third worker form. The essay “Magic Bullets for Mites” is a great example of Jay’s ability to communicate complex topics with compelling, accessible prose.

Even though he muses that “we are attempting to manage a social organism that is affected by rules we do not yet fully understand” Jay remains firmly rooted in the #Beeoptimism movement: for his scientific mind, the unknown is full of possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in one sitting, although I recommend savoring it more slowly.

Jay is an imaginative bee scientist who communicates clearly using every-day language. His book is an absorbing, provocative, entertaining and uplifting read.

Scientific research sometimes produces information that is difficult to take advantage of in practice; until later translational research fills the gaps enabling us to understand the fuller picture. Thus, we tend to progress in waves as initial frustration alternates with breakthrough.

In Jay’s own words, “In these essays, I describe success stories in translational bee research, projects where the toil of scientists has led to ‘news you can use’ as a beekeeper”.

Jay explains 5 reasons for his belief that we can be optimistic about the world of honeybees and other pollinators – he calls them Beeoptimism. He knows that opportunities lie in what is still unknown – the challenge is to identify and take them. His final essay – Let’s not go viral is timely in the wake of the COVID-19 human pandemic.

This book is an updated compendium of 34 essays by Jay D. Evans of USDA-ARS, published in A. I. Root’s Bee Culture magazine.