Social Insects Research Group - SIRG

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Social Insects Research Group - SIRG

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A dynamic research group working on social insects located in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

27/10/2026

We are delighted to have hosted Prof Anton Gradiseo, who is an associate professor at the Jozef Stefan Institute and Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School on his visit to Pretoria. Anton visited also the department of zoology and entomology where he presented some of his work on the project of monitoring honeybees and wild pollinators with smart sensors, part of a project that was started 3 years ago aimed at monitoring stress in honeybee colonies by measuring several in and out of hive parameters. The whole project aims to develop algorithms for passive acoustic monitoring which is very important in the work of biodiversity conservation. Prof Anton with his visit here was afford a chance to visit The SANBI National Botanical Gardens, Union buildings and voortrekker monument to name a few.

16/09/2026

Last week we were all busy bees, preparing hives boxes for the summer as the spring has sprung and the bees are all excited and happy so we need to make sure our swarms have homes.

01/09/2026

Miss Nolwandle Khumalo, whom her PhD project is on investigating how microorganisms associated with a honey bee diet, particularly those found in sunflower pollen, influence the gut microbiota of the African savannah honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) was awarded the DSTI-PROF. Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Doctoral Fellowship for her academic excellence and research potential. She was acknowledged for her outstanding contribution to building South African’s scientific and research knowledge base, under the category for Public Engagement with Science (Science communication).

18/08/2026

As part of our women's month celebration, we will spotlight the amazing work done by the women in our research group.

Introducting Nolwandle Khumalo( ) who's study is influenced by the role bees play in the ecosystem as pollinators. Considering, this role, bees are known to be impacted by diet , she thus looks at how different protein diets can influence the gut microbiota and the functional enzymes of the bees, this course of work is very important in providing valuable insights into improving honey bee health.

14/08/2026

Marjorie Tournut is investigating the impact of urbanisation on worker honey bees from Reunion Island.
Honey bees samples from various land use including urban, rural, agricultural and pristine habitats will be compared based their morphology, more specifically the fluctuating asymmetry, their pollen composition, their sensitivity to Varroa destructor, and lastly their hygienic behaviour performances will be assessed. This study aims to assess the impact of the perpetual urban growth on honey bee’s health, fitness and survival to contribute to scientific knowledge but also help bee keepers to choose optimal apiary sites that will maximize the fitness of their colonies. As our cities are developing we have to ensure they do so sustainably.

13/08/2026

Bees can do many things from production of honey that everyone loves, to wax that is used to make candles and lip balms as products but they certainly can do more, in her PhD journey is exploring how honey bees can be used as Water quality indicators. As we celebrate women's month we will be bringing to you our amazing women from our research group who are breaking scientific barriers!

03/07/2026

had the privilege of visiting the .unito at the University of Turin, Italy. There she had the opportunity to learn more about Osmia bicornis, red mason bee. We investigated how environmental concentrations of acetamiprid affected the Osmia bicornis males.
It was a learning experience to remember she shares.

To more collaboration in the future

22/06/2026

From the pursuit of understanding the chemical ecology of Ant, honeybees and other insects, to the hard work going into finding alternative protein sources for the growing population in food insecure countries using insects. Today we celebrate the man behind the work. SIRG wishes a happy birthday to Prof Yusuf and continued fulfillment on your scientific journey.

22/05/2026

World biodiversity day is a call to all scientists and communities to take charge in ensuring that our conservation efforts are not in vain.

Happy world biodiversity day, from beautiful carpenter bees, to busy honey bees, to perching birds that make up your morning to the lions that roam our parks, to flowers that encompass our landscapes

20/05/2026

Happy world bee day :

This day is dedicated not just to honey bees but all the bees that ensure we eat and we get honey that everyone loves so much.

This day is a call to do a small portion of what we can to improve our surroundings bit by bit, if that is making bee hotels , planting attractive flowers, ensuring you do not litter, and teaching one person a day about the importance of bees.

Address

University Of Pretoria
Pretoria
0020

Website

http://www.up.ac.za/sirg

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