Robert Owen has been a beekeeper for over 20 years. He completed his PhD on Varroa in 2022. Robert has advised beekeepers in Nigeria, Benin, Lebanon, Nepal, and Bangladesh for USAID. He authored The Australian Beekeeping Manual and regularly contributes to specialist beekeeping magazines. Robert has extensive first-hand knowledge of honey bee pathogens from many countries.

Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck is an Honorary Professor in Animal Biotechnology at the University of Melbourne, where he taught for many years in subjects such as Animal Disease Biosecurity, and Insect Shaping Society. Jean-Pierre is passionate about biosecurity, bee genetics, and invading bee pests. An avid beekeeper, he established the University of Melbourne bee club and has developed and taught beekeeping courses for both beginners and advanced beekeepers.

Mark Stevenson is a Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at the University of Melbourne, with expertise in the area of infectious disease epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, and simulation modelling of infectious disease spread. Mark deals with infectious and non-infectious disease threats in a range of species including companion animals, cattle, sheep and poultry, horses, and honey bees. He has a particular interest in how lessons learned from controlling disease in one species might be used to improve disease control efforts for others.

Honey Bee Pests and Diseases provides up-to-date information on the management of honey bee diseases found globally, not just in the U.S., Europe, or Australia. Of particular interest are the explanations of how pathogens affect honey bees. This facet of diseases is usually left out of honey bee disease books.

Written in an easy to understand way, and richly illustrated with photographs and diagrams, chapters cover integrated pest management (IPM), epidemiology, viruses, brood diseases, mites, parasites, as well as other problems a colony might face.

The book is largely based on the Ph.D. research of Dr. Robert Owen, who studied the effect of bee diseases in Australia and overseas with particular reference to Varroa. Both Prof. Jean-Pierre Scheerlinck and Prof. Mark Stevenson have extensive and well-recognized experience in honey bee research.

RV Magazine
“The diseases honey bees currently face can be better managed when beekeepers eager to learn about the identification and treatment of diseases have access to the latest information”

The Buzz | magazine of BugLife, the organisation for conservation of invertebrates | Dec 2023 issue
“presented clearly and thoroughly, making it accessible for non-specialists and specialists alike. Whether beekeeping is your hobby or profession, Honey Bee Pests and Diseases is an essential one-stop resource for colony care and management.”

Adam Leitch | Master Beekeeper and Chairman of the National Diploma in Beekeeping, top beekeeping qualification in the UK
“The best review I can give this book after having an electronic review copy – is to say I’ll buy a paper copy. It fills a gap – all the information on diseases and pests you need, in an easily digestible form, presented by expert authors. It considers aspects of transmission that are not described well in other books, and has accurate, up to date images. Highly Recommended.”

Amercian Bee Journal| Tina Sebestyen
“It is written using normal layman’s language, and as such is very easy to read, and will be a valuable addition to the library of any backyard or commercial beekeeper. There are nice, large color photos and good illustrations that really help with pest and disease identification.”

“I know how hard it is to get a good grasp of this wide-ranging area of beekeeping, and also how hard it is to remember the details of each pest or disease. This book is the answer. And, it is easy to understand. Every beekeeper will benefit from (and even enjoy) reading this book.”

Good Fruit and Vegetables
“The new book takes the science of bee pest and diseases and translates it into lay language accessible to professional and hobby beekeepers everywhere.”

Australian Bee Journal
“ A timely and important book … useful resource for all manners and levels of beekeeping it consolidates important information as never before ,,, should be in the library of all beekeepers”

Australian Wildlife Magazine
“The authors of Honey Bee Pests and Diseases, who have extensive experience as beekeepers and researchers, aim to provide beekeepers with up-to-date information on identifying and treating diseases. By incorporating beekeeping techniques from different countries, this book offers a comprehensive resource for effective disease management.”

Pip Magazine
“Up to date information on the management of honey bee diseases found globally.”