Dear Subscribers,
Spring has finally sprung here. The maples are over and the best time to
be in Gainesville, Florida is now, when the azaleas are in full
flower. We also had a good flush of dogwoods. These
trees have been
hit hard over the last few decades and appear to be in decline in some
areas. It was 80 degrees F. today
and bees were really flying. Now we have to cross our fingers that
another hard freeze doesn't materialize.
More information is coming in about conditions Down Under. A report to
Joe Traynor sent to me states, "It’s been a real mixed bag for
beekeepers. Rain has washed out nectar and stopped honey flows, so bees
are marking time. Some claim it’s been the worst year ever! But, the
growth in the Australian bush is fantastic and promises to give us a
great season next year. We really don’t have reason to complain when
you see what Mother Nature has dished out elsewhere. We’re so thankful
we are OK."
Beyond the rains, queen breeders in Oz are affected by the appearance of
Apis cerana and subsequent decision by the Animal Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) to stop importation of honey bees. Many
Australians are also upset by their government's decision to stop its
Asian bee eradication effort.
Dr. Denis Anderson at CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences sent an e-mail about about possible Apis cerana impacts:
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The greatest impact of AHB infestation is likely to be environmental.
The AHB is a social ‘cavity-nesting bee’ that forms smaller colonies,
swarms more often and chooses much smaller cavities than the EHB. The
AHB will form more colonies per unit area, and colonise more areas
including the nesting sites of native birds and animals. With a greater
number and spread of feral colonies, the AHB will utilise nectar flows
and affect other bees and insects.
BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY
The wide spread of AHB is likely to result in an overall decline in
honey production and availability of pollen (particularly in tropical
regions) for European honeybee (EHB) and bring a lot of additional costs
to beekeepers. The decline in pollen availability will also impact on
EHB health (more outbreaks of diseases such as Nosema).
Increased costs to beekeepers will include:
• cost of modifying beehive entrances and increasing ventilation to prevent honey robbing
• cost to commercial queen producers to free areas of feral Asian bees to ensure open-matings of European bees
• cost to live bee exporters who may have to ensure purity of queen
matings and package bees (if exports are still permitted)
• costs of hive modification and scarcer and more expensive pollen
supplies for beekeepers who use their hives primarily for paid
pollination (commercial pollinators
HUMAN HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACTS
A report on the economic costs of AHB infestation has been published
(Ryan 2010). The annual cost of public health impacts are
conservatively estimated to range from $84,114-$88,637 per 100,000
people. The annual cost estimates for the public nuisance aspects are
estimated to range from $4,580-$33,600 per 100,000 people.
POLLINATION IMPACTS
Little information is available on the ability of AHB to pollinate
commercial crops. If AHB can pollinate commercial crops as well as EHB
then 'incidental pollination' will probably increase due to Asian
honeybees. This is what has happened in the Solomon Islands.
The lack of enough nesting cavities close to large commercial crops,
such as almonds, canola is likely to retain the need for pollination by
commercial beekeepers.
IMPACTS ON FERAL EUROPEAN BEES
By the time the AHB population has reached its maximum carrying capacity
in tropical regions of Australia, the bee would be expected to have
mostly replaced the feral EHB population as it has done in the tropical
Solomon Islands. Any feral EHB colonies produced from managed colonies
after that point would be short-lived. This trend could spread to the
rest of Australia, however the feral EHB is likely to fare much better
in temperate regions.
TRADE, MITES AND OTHER IMPACTS
If the AHB spreads to other ports, Australia may face importation bans,
or demands for fumigation or guarantees that products (such as cars,
machinery and shipping crates which sit out in the open environment
prior to being shipped) are free of Asian bees. If AHB spreads widely it
will be difficult to detect any new incursion of AHB carrying the new
mite in Papua New Guinea.
The use of "AHB" might confuse some, given that is the acronym for the
Africanized Honey Bee in the Americas.
Dr. Anderson says maybe the best acronym for Apis cerana is AsHB, but
it's probably too late to make this distinction now.
The recent events in Japan give pause and our thoughts are with the
people of that nation, especially beekeeper colleagues.
Coincidentally, Al Summers in Colorado
summers@IchibanEnterprises.org,
Ichiban Apiculture & Honey Co., recently sent me the following: "I
just received a reply from Japan from Dr. Nakamura of Tamagawa
University regarding the Neonicotinoid concerns there. Dr. Nakamura also
publishes Honey Bee Science. It seems that they have similar activist
groups there as we have here who are agitating for a ban on the
Neonics. I found the comparisons interesting. I personally feel that
it's very beneficial for us to be cultivating/maintaining dialogue with
the Japanese beekeeping community." Let's hope we will hear from some of
our colleagues as they weather this incredible crisis.
A discussion on the
Calgary Beekeeping List provided this quote
from Alberta's Medhat Nasr about Varroa control: "We don't advocate
eradication. We encourage the responsible use of treatments if needed
and monitoring at all times. If you read the title of my talk you will
understand the issue. It was "The ugly reality of using organic acids
and essential oils". The talk focused on why we get variable results
with a wide range of efficacy. I listed a long list of chemicals'
properties, type of hives, temp ranges, hive size, ect. The window of
treatment to get good efficacy is very limited. Therefore, we have to
have a realistic expectation. We can't compare Apivar to organic acids.
We can't also try to make out of a little cat a monster lion because it
sounds better. We know organic sounds better but if they fail bees and
beekeepers will suffer. Understanding the chemicals and having realistic
expectations are the bottom line." This is perhaps the best summary I
have seen about mite control using organic acids and/or essential oils.
For other information on Varroa, see Dr. Jamie Ellis'
presentation
from the University of Florida.
EPA Releases Report Containing Latest Estimates of Pesticide Use in the
United States: Note below that use of organophosphates has decreased.
This probably is due to increasing use of neonicotinoids, but that is
not emphasized in the report. It is, however, in a recent letter sent by
EPA about
registration of chlothianidin to a number of
organizations, including the American Beekeeping Federation.
Indeed
neonicotinoids appear
to be ignored as a class of pesticides by the
EPA, which seems strange.
EPA's
full report, Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage: 2006 and 2007
Market Estimates, is now available. This document contains the
latest estimates of agricultural and nonagricultural pesticide use in
the United States. It illustrates graphically historical trends and
levels of use over the last 20 years. Also included are data on
imports, exports, and pesticide producers and users. The report contains
statistics on pesticide sales and usage based on available information
taken from Agency records of registrations, USDA surveys of pesticide
use, and other public and proprietary sources. Highlights include:
* In the United States, pesticide sales were approximately $12.5
billion at the user level, which accounted for 32% of the nearly $40
billion world market in 2007.Pesticide use in the United States was 1.1
billion pounds in 2007, or 22% of the world estimate of 5.2 billion
pounds of pesticide use.
* Total pounds of U.S. pesticide use decreased by approximately 8% from 1.2 to 1.1 billion pounds from 2000 to 2007.
* Use of conventional pesticides decreased about 3% from 2002 to 2007 and 11% from 1997 to 2007.
* Approximately 857 million pounds of conventional pesticide active ingredient were applied in 2007.
* Organophosphate insecticide use decreased about 44% from 2002 to 2007, 63% from 2000 to 2007, and 55% from 1997 to 2007.
* About 33 million pounds of organophosphate insecticides were applied in 2007.
* Eighty percent of all U.S. pesticide use was in agriculture.
* Herbicides remained the most widely used type of pesticide in the agricultural market sector.
* Among the top 10 pesticides used in terms of pounds applied in the
agricultural market were the herbicides glyphosate, atrazine,
metolachlor-s, acetochlor, 2,4-D, and pendimethalin, and the fumigants
metam sodium, dichloropropene, methyl bromide, and chloropicrin.
* Herbicides were also the most widely used type of pesticide in the
home and garden and industrial,commercial, and governmental market
sectors, and the herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate were the most widely
used active ingredients.
Virus Mapping: Catch the Buzz from Editor Kim Flottum reveals
an interesting
project from David Wick at
BVS. I
described this outfit in my article in the January 2011 of American
Bee journal, pp. 77-79 on Bee Alert Technology. The gist is to develop a
viral load map for honey bees around the country. This could be taken
up by a number of different groups. In a conversation with Mr. Dick, it
was revealed that pooled samples would also provide good information
on viral loads. The Florida State Beekeepers Association is looking to
develop a project where local associations pool samples in specific
areas around the state, the cost of which would be subsidized by the
State Association. This would provide a map for most of the Sunshine
state.
Still looking for fumagillin samples: A number of times in previous
issues of this newsletter, I have asked folks to collect and send
samples of fumagillin treatment: Here's the latest request from Jerry
Bromenshenk at Bee Alert Technology on this issue, as published on the
Bee-L Discussion list.
"As per treating with fumagillin - that's why Malcolm Sanford and I are
looking for OLD bottles of the stuff. In a conversation with Dr. Robb
Cramer, MT State Univ, last summer, Robb mentioned that producing the antibiotic
was a bit challenging, and he wondered whether the product, as produced
today, is the same as in the past.
"He's also warned from the very beginning - fumagillin is a mixed bag.
It is used for treatment of some human problems, such as eye
infections, but it's always the medicine of last choice, due to its
known cellular toxicity and genotoxicity.
"He's an expert in the fungus that produces fumagillin. There are
contaminants that can develop during the manufacture that add to the
toxicity. His training is as a fungal pathologist, studying mammalian
and human systems. I diverted some of his attention to Nosema. He's
been trying to find alternatives to fumagillin for the stated reasons.
He's offered to analyze fumagillin to see if the product has changed
over the years.
"I'd appreciate help from the list - if you've old bottles of
fumagillin, with some idea of source and at least an approximate data,
would you donate/forward them to us? Bee Alert, 1620 Rodgers St, Suite 1, Missoula, MT 59802?"
Project ApisM's latest
newsletter had the latest on the almond
pollinaton scene, including best management practices coming to a bee
journal near you:
Varroa Mite: many are still looking at Varroa as the 800-pound gorilla
in the room when it comes to CCD. Check this out on the Apis Enterprises
facebook page; it really looks the part and is considered an apt
metaphor:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150443730395481&set=a.371662850480.356055.333196725480&theater
Editor Flottum reports on
bogus honey found in Oregon.
Check out the latest in
Bee Health from Cooperative Extension and Randy
Oliver's Scientific Beekeeping
site.
Finally, take a look at selected links at
Publish2.com for this month , ranging from the
relationship between pheromones and CCD, to a CSA for beekeeping,
Brother Adam's biographhy and India's rise as a significant
honey-producing nation.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gleanings from the March 2011 edition of
Bee Culture :
Remember that Bee Culture continues to be available in a
digital edition:
Jim Dalgren, Jamestown, NY writest that the ABC & XYZ of Beekeeping
gave him an idea to make a combination bottom board and cover. Check
out the results. Tess Arnold, Knoxville, TN details her shipping woes.
Ray Norton complains that the ingredients on products are difficult to
find as the government has dropped country of origin labeling.
Phil Chandler calls on beekeepers in the UK
to sever financial ties with manufacturers and promoters of pesticides.
Doug Ladd, Buckingham,VA finds out it's difficult to disuade
regulators/neighbors once they find out one is a beekeeper. Don't ask;
read why he says don't tell is the proper policy. Peter Roundtree,
Boulder, CO reflects on a previous article urging beekeepers to get
"the right truck." Enos Miller, Ogdensburg, NY asks that there be more
articles on small-scale queen rearing.
Robert Richter suggests
researchers look for the roots of CCD in some new chemical released
in 2006. Gregory Stoddard, Gansevoort, NY seconds a recommendation on
frequent washing of beesuits and also urges folks to use unscented
detergent and dry clothes on a line. Adrian Juttner, Abita Springs,
LA writes that U.S. pesticide regulation makes the united states of
America look like the Soviet-States of America.
Editor Flottum reflects on Bob Smith's passing. Seems he teamed up
with Mr. Smith to produce a video on controlling Africanized honey bees
and this developed into a long-term relationship, almost like father and
son. Read about their close relationship ending with Bob's death.
This is the 50th year
celebration of the Peace Corps and thus Bee Culture is asking those
involved in bee projects to submit their stories. Mine doesn't qualify;
I served in Ecuador 1964-1966 as a primary school teacher. Honey bees
were not on my radar screen until the 1970s. There is little question, however,
that the Peace Corps Experience was defining in my life.
Christi Heintz, et. al. has teamed up to produce some best management
practices (BMPs) for beekeepers pollinating California's agricultural
crops. These are worth a look, however, by all beekeepers. The use of
BMPs is becoming de rigor for much of agriculture and now beekeeping, especially in
AHB territory.
Clarence Collison and Audrey Sheridan continue their "closer look"
series by examining the relationship between alcohol consumption in
honey bees versus humans. Read how honey bees outshine humans in this
activity and what that means.
Larry Connor takes on colony management, splitting the activity into
queen, brood and food management. This is a challenging task,
especially in only three pages of text. Expect more later on this
subject.
Jim Tew chimes in by looking at management in terms of lots of questions
with few real answers based on phone call from someone with large-scale
colony loss. He urges readers to revisit things like Nosema (there is a
new version if this traditional disease) Read his
analysis of "gap beekeeping."
Marygael Meister describes the beginning of the Denver Bee Club. I was
privileged to be able to address this evolving club last fall. It's
worth a look at the
web site to see what's happening.
New for the beekeeper this month includes The Bee Keeper's Handbook, a
reprint of the volume by Henry Alley, 1883, The Beekeeper's Bible, The
Beehouse Book and Honeybee Man, a children's volume. Check out a
new small hive beetle trap , larger sized Bucko
Gloves
http://www.buckogloves.com and how to become certified via
Naturally Grown. This outfit has developed its own apiary
standards. They are the first of their kind that I have information
about.
A new mite treatment, HopGuard is available at Mann Lake Supply, the
bee villa of high density polystyrene . Ultra
Bee the "Gold Standard" in honey bee nutrition, Pull and Pop Foundation
(Peck's Bee Supplies, 717-545-6982, and finally a new video available
from
Formic Acid Bill Ruzicka.
The Science of Bee Culture, Vol. 3, No. 1 is found inside this edition
of Bee Culture. Read research on detection of Nosema ceranae, effects
of hive color and feeding on winter clusters or Russian bees, presence
of Russian genotypes in Louisiana and abstracts from the IBRA symposium
on Varroa.
Iconoclastic John Kefuss provides proof of Varroa resistant bees via his
"World Varroa Challenge." Read the history of his "Bond Test," and why
he no longer can find enough mites to challenge his bees with.
Imagine purchasing mites in order to keep one's honey bees in good
shape.
Ross Conrad describes more than one way to acquire honey bees. Read
about the active brood management strategy that many are employing by
making nuclei and culling combs. He suggests swarms are a good way to
get bees. Fortunately, he doesn't live in Africanized bee country. In
Florida this is being discouraged via best management practices that
employ known stock and sources of European queens.
Edwin Simon puts together a top bar hive. Read why his has a "viewing window" and what that means.
Cedric Worman challenges all beekeepers to do the math for their
operation. Read the analysis of his situation and what he has concluded
from looking at the expenses versus income.
Jennifer Berry provides her experiences in movin' bees. Read why this is one part of beekeeping she really hates.
Ann Harman reveals the secrets of keeping honey bees in the "burbs."
Common sense really. Don't forget that honey is more than just a sweet,
especially in the suburbs.
Steve Sheppard summarizes the latest on hygienic behavior when
comparing "non hygienic" and "hygienic" lines of bees. He concludes
this is becoming more recognized as a trait that contributes to colony
health. The study includes researchers from Brazil, Argentina and the
U.S.
Connie Krochmal lists a number of biennials in the bee garden. She
includes Canterbury bells, forget-me-nots, pansies and poppies.
In All the News That Fits Betty and Jack Thomas get the "Friends of the
Industry" award in Galveston, Canada adopts voluntary biosecurity
standars, Heather Clay retires as Chief Executive Officer of the
Canadian Honey Council, the Guiness Book of Records lists the most bee
colonies in a singe tree (625) in India, True Source Honey is launched
http://www.truesourcehoney.com, Nod apiary gets the go ahead for formic
acid quick strips, Uk adopts country of origin labeling and an Irish
laboratory is marketing the "Evidence Investigator," the only test of
it's kind in the world to analyze honey for a range of antibiotics.
Ed Colby takes a trip to Cuba in the Bottom Board. Read what Cubans do
for Varroa and why Ed decided on taking a rather substantial pollinator
jacket that he didn't need.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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