From MAILER-DAEMON Sat Feb 28 11:13:05 2009 Return-Path: <> X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.1.8 (2007-02-13) on industrial X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-83.4 required=2.4 tests=ADVANCE_FEE_1,ADVANCE_FEE_2, ALL_NATURAL,AWL,MAILTO_TO_SPAM_ADDR,SPF_HELO_PASS,USER_IN_WHITELIST autolearn=disabled version=3.1.8 X-Original-To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Delivered-To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Received: from listserv.albany.edu (unknown [169.226.1.24]) by metalab.unc.edu (Postfix) with ESMTP id 2D934490A4 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:03:41 -0500 (EST) Received: from listserv.albany.edu (listserv.albany.edu [169.226.1.24]) by listserv.albany.edu (8.13.8/8.13.8) with ESMTP id n1SG3Y7O017265 for ; Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:03:40 -0500 (EST) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:03:36 -0500 From: "University at Albany LISTSERV Server (14.5)" Subject: File: "BEE-L LOG0812C" To: adamf@IBIBLIO.ORG Message-ID: Content-Length: 237295 Lines: 5367 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:15:34 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Local... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 15/12/2008 02:23:13 GMT Standard Time, lwpisa@HOTMAIL.COM writes: If I have to bet I say that mites adapt faster to bees than bees to mites. Why? There is a lot more genetic variability with bees with multiple external mating by queens compared with brother:sister mating among mites. On the other hand there is a fresh generation of mites every month or thereabouts but a fresh generation of bees only every couple of years or so. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:10:03 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Locally Adapted Stock: A Recipe In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > >I want to know if any of you have tried this 'recipe' [breeding mite > resistant bees] and what were your > results? Yes, many have, in similar form, including myself. Results are frustratingly slow, but encouraging. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:15:58 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Locally Adapted Stock: A Recipe In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > >The big test for anyone who claims to have Varroa tolerant bees is to > inoculate with strange Varroa and see what happens. All you need to do is to go to almond pollination each year ; ) Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:04:00 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Lennard Pisa Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Local... In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable > If I have to bet I say that mites adapt faster to bees than bees to mites= .> Why? There is a lot more genetic variability with bees with multiple > e= xternal mating by queens compared with brother:sister mating among mites. O= n the > other hand there is a fresh generation of mites every month or ther= eabouts > but a fresh generation of bees only every couple of years or so. ...because of the multiple mating in bees it will take longer (smaller chan= ce) to fix a trait like "tolerance". Fixing traits into the mite population= will be easier (bigger chance) due to the sister-mating system that has le= ss mixing of genes. And indeed the quick generation time. But I do not know how big the difference is between mites and how much gene= tic variation they have. In an "isolated world" (limited transmission of mi= tes between hives) I kind of expect genetic variation for Varroa between lo= cations (space/time) because they have a sister-mating system responding to= different selection pressure with little mixing of genes. =20 =20 I think we spend too little time looking at mites (genetic diversity and vi= rulence).=20 =20 I am also not sure about genetic variation in bees with all the inbreeding = we have done. Some people sell hundred/thousands of queens that are more or= less related and go to islands to narrow down the chance of unknown mating= . =20 ATB L=20 _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/= ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:27:23 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.net" Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > The feral population does not exist in a bell jar. I should add one comment to my statement above. When I collect the feral here (Long Island, NY), the majority of colonies have bees of different colors indicating drones of differing lineage. Last year, I did collect 3 colonies of incredibly uniformly colored bees possibly indicating a contained/isolated population. >Here in Australia they appear to do just that. Work dome by IIRC Dr Ben Oldroyd showed that the feral population was self perpetuating. This is very interesting. This may have advantages and disadvantages when varroa enters your feral population. After the [expected] initial wipe-out, if there is a varroa resistance/tolerance trait, your feral may spring back quickly. >>Almost no swarming on the honey flow and should it fail, certainly no swarming. There will hopefully be a few moves to other honey flows before moving back to the build country. If feral supercedure generally coincides with the swarming period, there may indeed be very little mating of feral virgins with managed drones. A very interesting setting you have in Australia. Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:59:28 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > When I collect the feral here (Long Island, NY), the majority > of colonies have bees of different colors indicating drones > of differing lineage. Last year, I did collect 3 colonies > of incredibly uniformly colored bees possibly indicating a > contained/isolated population. If you joined the Long Island Beekeepers Club, you'd have heard that we saw the same thing everyone else saw when varroa at last was introduced to Long Island - swarm calls went to zero for quite some time, then make a comeback of sorts. If you'd indicate where you collected your 3 colonies, I'd be happy to tell you which member beekeepers are in range of that area. We've had at least one new member every month for the past 3 years, so we are now a much larger organization with beekeepers "blanketing" the entire island. My guess is that a new beekeeper made the typical rookie error of not keeping ahead of his/her colonies, to create your consistent swarms, something we hope to correct with our new and improved novice courses led by Rich Bloom. That's one "positive" that can be in part attributable to varroa - the well-publicized problems of bees has brought people out of the woodwork to take novice courses and take up the hobby. VA saw the same trend, and so has several other states. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:33:55 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Kim goes over the deep end > How good are Australian bees? Beekeepers tell me it's a mixed bag, but then it's a mixed bag when it comes to U.S. bees, too. There are problems that border on severe, sometimes anyway, that don't show up with U.S. bees to the same degree ... a disease that kills the young called chalkbrood is one problem that hasn't gone away and hasn't been fixed by the senders. > They don't have varroa mites in Australia, so there's no selection process that looks for resistance to this vicious pest ... a resistance and a tolerance, I might add, that not only exists in the U.S., but is slowly becoming the dominant strain of bees available in the country. [?] see: Why the U.S. Should Stop Importing Bees from Australia Chapter and Verse On Imports, Off-shore Pollination and Averting a Collapse of U.S. Bees December 15, 2008 at 7:49AM by Kim Flottum www.thedailygreen.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:04:42 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jerry Bromenshenk Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Kim is just keeping up with unfolding events. A week ago, I learned that A. cerana - 17 nests/swarms in Queensland near Cairns caused the Aussies to stop exports to U.S. since they could not certify that the country was free of A. cerana, although they could certify that hives were free - assuming that the U.S. accepted a quarantine area approach. On Monday, APHIS reps told me that a new, revised certificate was in the works, might be approved by end of week. On Wednesday morning, I reported at the CA Almond Brd Conf in Modesto a summary of these events. After my presentation, one of the U.S. importers came up and told me that they had received a green light the evening before (Tuesday). By Thursday, the word was spreading; and at least one of the National Bee Associations called APHIS. Friday, I got a short memo saying that APHIS was still working on this issue. Yesterday, I heard from Australia that the whole issue was still unresolved. Although it is the presence of A. cerana in Australia that is the official non-compliance sticking point, its the possible introduction of more pathogens and pests of Asian bees that are the main concern. We've already gotten N. cerana and Kashmir from A. cerana. There are two other mites in those bees that we don't have, and from what I hear, don't want - EVER. Plus some other viruses known to be detrimental to bees, and I suspect there may be some things that haven't been discovered/reported. I doubt that there's much chance of bees in northern Queensland showing up in package exports at this time. But, the record of success of quarantines over the long run has not been good. If you allow me to speculate, options would seem to range from an outright ban, to export from specific regions only, to improved monitoring. I've seen claims that the monitoring has to be at point of origin (not sure about this one, but if its true, it does tend to make things more difficult). Technologically, it should be possible to screen at port of entry, return or destroy if any fail to PASS. Looks like we should all stay tuned, this story changes hour by hour, day by day. Been an interesting week. Lots of folks have a stack in the final decision - U.S. beekeepers, importer, exporters, and the Almond Industry to name a few. Hard decisions with a short time line, considering that Almond season is close upon us. Jerry **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (htt p://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215047751x1200957972/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:11:32 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: Bees from Australia Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit On Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:04:42 EST, Jerry Bromenshenk wrote: >There are two other mites in those bees that we don't have, and from what I >hear, don't want - EVER. Of course. But I question whether banning the bees is the answer, and the thrust of his article was about whether the Australian bees themselves are harmful, since we have so many mite resistant bees here. According to Erickson and Spivak, hygienic behavior is not limited to certain strains of bees. And hygienic behavior seems to be the primary weapon that bees use to prevent mites from getting the upper hand. Then again, if the experts decide to ban imports again, I would wholeheartedly support their decision, as they have no doubt given it much more thought than Kim or me. pb ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:27:53 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.net" Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Jim, >>If you joined the Long Island Beekeepers Club, you'd have heard that... You keep insisting on this... :o) You really need to update your information. I am a member of the Long Island Beekeepers Club (paid my 2008 dues so that makes me a member). Have been for quite a few years. Certainly before you moved to NYC. I've not met you in person but that's ok - I'd like to think you are a nice, regular guy when one gets to know you in person. ;-))) >>If you'd indicate where you collected your 3 colonies, I'd be happy to tell you which member beekeepers are in range of that area. I got a list from the club. Feel free to send me an updated one as mine is a couple of years old. >>My guess is that a new beekeeper made the typical rookie error of not keeping ahead of his/her colonies, to create your consistent swarms... It's possible - Italian packages used to be quite uniform. I found the uniformity interesting merely because I don't see it often. The overwhelming majority of my removals are not uniform in color. The darker ferals have done better for me and I've been working their offspring into my hives. Is the club getting packages with marked or unmarked queens these days? >>That's one "positive" that can be in part attributable to varroa - the well-publicized problems of bees has brought people out of the woodwork to take novice courses and take up the hobby. Aha but I think CCD has commanded more media attention than varroa because of the continuing mystery "why are the bees disappearing?." Since CCD started getting significant coverage, I've had school kids call me with their parents to tell me they are working on a bee project and asking what they can do to save the bees... I'd typically say that the bees are struggling with parasites so more selective breeding and research is needed. Not much school kids can do here. But - since GMOs, insecticides, herbicides etc. have been mentioned as contributors to weakened bee immune systems - the kids and their parents can choose more organic food for their home and school menus. Or just grow some organic fruits and vegetables in their home gardens to help create a better environment for the bees. Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:02:51 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.net" Subject: Re: Bees from Australia Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit >>They don't have varroa mites in Australia, so there's no selection process that looks for resistance to this vicious pest... Is this accurate tough? I thought the Australians were importing semen from resistant bees in Italy to incorporate into their stock as varroa arrival in Australia is just a matter of time. I believe Bob Harrison wrote about that. I am not a big defender of Australian imports (I am neutral), but we in the US, like the Australians, should be identifying varroa-resistant EHB stocks elsewhere and bringing either semen or quarantined queens into our breeding programs especially if those bees are productive as well. It seemed that the Primorsky bees had the right attributes. If the industry went the Russian way, would the varroa issue be past us? Or perhaps we already have the genetics to turn varroa into a benign parasite and only need more time to make these genetics predominant? Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:52:52 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robert Brenchley Subject: Re: Study to Determine if Honey Prevents Radiation Therapy Mouth Sores MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mine have never been caused by radiation (I hope; I did spend several years living in a granite cottage in an area where these were known for radon accumulation), but honey has never failed to help heal them faster. Regards, Robert Brenchley Birmingham UK ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:55:13 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Local... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > If I have to bet I say that mites adapt faster to bees than bees to mites. > Why? There is a lot more genetic variability with bees with multiple external mating by queens compared with brother:sister mating among mites. Resistance mechanisms are not driven solely by mating and the resulting genetic recombination. Much evidence is building to prove that organisms can develop heritable resistance as a response to attack. This is in direct contradiction to classical models of evolution and genetics. This field is rapidly changing and the concept of epigenetic evolution is poised to explain a great deal we couldn't before. The following refers to bacterial resistance to antibiotics but it would no doubt apply to insect resistance to pesticides. I wish I had time to boil it down a little, maybe someone else can do it. QUOTED MATERIAL We present data strongly supporting the conclusion that evolution can occur without mutation. A model to explain the observed evolution of antibiotic resistance is illustrated. Within an isogenic population of E. coli there is random variation in the expression levels of genes, creating phenotypic variation. Epigenetic variation shows an element of heritability. Some cells with elevated expression of genes conferring antibiotic resistance survive antibiotic selection, as do sufficient progeny to allow colony formation. The cells with increased expression of resistance genes in turn show variation in expression levels, but now under selection and therefore with sustained elevated levels, allowing selection of still higher degrees of resistance. Serial exposure to rising concentrations of antibiotic results in cells with higher resistance than possible with a single round of selection It is interesting to note that many examples of epigenetic inheritance between generations have been reported in metazoans as well, including paramutation in plants, the FAB-7 DNA element in Drosophila, and RNA-mediated epigenetic inheritance in the mouse. It is reasonable to suppose that such mechanisms generating heritable phenotypic variation could provide the substrate for the action of natural selection. -- Epigenetic inheritance based evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria Mike Adam, et al http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/52 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:23:49 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Local... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 16/12/2008 11:12:36 GMT Standard Time, peterlborst@GMAIL.COM writes: Much evidence is building to prove that organisms can develop heritable resistance as a response to attack. Could they actually 'learn' to defend themselves? Some years ago I did regular examinations of fallen mites from one hive over a period of months. I didn't just count the mites, I looked at them through a x10 lens. Over time the proportion of damaged : undamaged mites increased markedly. From memory it started out at about 10% and ended up at about 40%. Has anybody else tried this? Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:29:13 -0700 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: C Hooper Subject: Royal Jelly Delays Onset of Lupus Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Royal Jelly Delays Onset of Lupus Honeybee Royal Jelly Inhibits Autoimmunity in SLE-Prone NZB x NZW F1 Mice Lupus, Vol. 18, No. 1, 44-52 (2009) We herein reported that mice administered with RJ showed a significant delay in the onset of the disease, as manifested by decreased proteinuria and a prolongation of lifespan. In addition, RJ administration after the onset of the disease significantly improved the renal symptoms, leading to an extended lifespan… ----- www.apitherapynews.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:35:47 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: "hygienic behavior" Comments: cc: randy oliver MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > Pete, I'm not sure that Marla's hygienic behavior is the same as VSH. She > and I have discussed. The bees sense decaying brood in the first, the > presence of a mite egg in the second. But I used the term "hygienic behavior" more broadly than that (she doesn't have a trademark on it!) to include an array of mechanisms as opposed to an immunological defense, which honey bees seem to rely on secondarily. > It should be noted that no single resistance mechanism is considered to be responsible for the varroa tolerance of honeybee populations in Russia, Arizona and Kentucky. Rather, an amalgam of many different traits both behavioural and physiological is considered to be responsible for the tolerance. In the mite tolerance in African bees, this smorgasbord of tolerance-inducing characteristics appears not to be the case. The direct aggression of African honeybees to varroa mites, the presence of a natural biocontrol agent, and the attractivity of brood to mites could all be excluded as possible causes of tolerance, leaving only hygienic behaviour and the short post-capping period of Cape honeybees as the cause of mite tolerance. These are, however, considered sufficient to explain the in-hive development of mite tolerance in African bees. > The only essential characteristic necessary to explain the tolerance is the ability of honeybee workers to detect and remove reproducing mites, and to leave non-reproducing mites. This hygienic response is well developed in African and Africanized bees, and is highly heritable. The seemingly continent-wide tolerance of African bees to American Foulbrood suggests that hygienic behaviour may be very well developed in African bees and will lead to the percentage of reproducing mites in a colony being systematically reduced, without the colony succumbing to the mites. (Allsopp 2006) > Our honey bees (Apis mellifera) have few natural defenses against the Varroa mite. Their original host, the Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) are better able to remove the mites from each other by grooming, and biting the mite. (PARASITIC MITES OF HONEY BEES Greg Hunt, Bee Specialist, Purdue University) The parasite-host relationship between Apis cerana and varroa seemed to have reached equilibrium because of the development of defense mechanisms by this bee species against the parasite (Peng et al., 1987). A reasonable goal for a breeding program is to select honey bees that have heritable mechanisms of defense against the mites that allow them to tolerate infestation longer than unselected colonies before chemical treatments are required. (SPIVAK AND REUTER: Varroa IN HYGIENIC HONEY BEE COLONIES April 2001) Hygienic behavior is one of several known mechanisms of resistance against V. destructor. Bees bred for hygienic behavior detect and remove worker brood infested with the parasitic mite Varroa destructor Other resistance mechanisms against the mites including grooming behavior, in which adult bees remove mites from other adults, damaging the mites in the process (Field trial of honey bee colonies bred for mechanisms of resistance against Varroa destructor. A. Ibrahim et al. 2007) -- Peter L Borst Danby, NY USA www.people.cornell.edu/pages/plb6 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:23:33 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I doubt that there's much chance of bees in northern > Queensland showing up in package exports at this time. I don't see the scenario as all that unlikely. Consider the following factors, both individually, and in combination. Then, place your bets, and remember that you are betting for all of us. 1) One or more swarms moved ashore unnoticed from shipping between the ports of Asia and the Australian port of Carins, where 4 swarms were initially found, and additional hives continue to be found, 17 so far, despite the efforts to find and kill off the hives: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070615091205.htm 2) The same report also admits that Asian bees had been found at Australian ports at least half a dozen times in the last decade. Note that this was merely the number of swarms that were FOUND. Any reasonable analysis must conclude that some number of swarms will go undetected in the future. 3) Recall that Small Hive Beetles, a large and obvious pest of bees went unnoticed in Australian hives until 2002, when they had spread from Richmond NSW, to Sydney, Brisbane, Stroud, and Cowra in NSW and to Beerwah in Queensland, a total distance of over 1000 km (621 miles). Not a confidence inspiring example of vigilance. 4) While there is a much higher level of inspections of incoming shipping at Australian ports than there is in the USA, neither the US or Australia has any sort of internal biosecurity inspections for inter-state shipments from Carins to the areas where bees are raised. So, without an unprecedented level of quarantine to isolate the "Asian Bee Area", it is merely a matter of time before the undesirable bee spreads. Apis cerana itself is not really the problem - it is the pests of Asian bees, such as "Tropilaelaps clareae". We don't need another hard-to-kill mite. > But, the record of success of quarantines over the > long run has not been good. Yes, it is important to note that no quarantine has ever worked, mostly because self-interested parties chose to violate the quarantines for personal profit at the expense of all their peers. > I've seen claims that the monitoring has to be at > point of origin (not sure about this one, but if > its true, it does tend to make things more difficult). This is the US Trade Representative's view. They tend to focus their attention on high dollar-value items, and ignore lower-dollar ones, biosecurity concerns and ripple effects be damned. The biggest problem here is that the person who is charged with inspecting the goods to be shipped is the person who makes money if the goods ship, yet loses money if the goods do not ship. The lack of adequate biosecurity that includes inspections of arriving ships and imported goods is the sole cause of every invasive exotic pest and pathogen of bees we have in the USA, including those that are behind CCD. Australia's experience with Apis ceranae is a textbook example of how "free trade" allows companies to internalize their profits and externalize their costs on countries. The UK has been inspecting each and every individual queen shipped, and they even remove all attendants and replace them with local bees, sending the imported attendants off for lab analysis. http://bee-quick.com/reprints/apis_bc.pdf Amazingly, no one objects to the UK's extra level of biosecurity, but the USA still quivers in fear that Australia might "retaliate". (Anything short of yet another "Crocodile Dundee" movie, would not even be noticed, but another movie would be a terrible, unthinkable act.) > at least one of the National Bee Associations called APHIS. Which one? The one that did and said nothing at all back in 2002, or the one that tried to "just say no to imports", proving that they had no grasp of how trade treaties work, and how one can't "just say no"? Incidentally, the president of that organization was the first to actually import bees, before the ink was even dry on the Risk Assessments, which may explain the lame and ineffective opposition and the lack of support for port-of-entry sampling, inspection, and controls. > Technologically, it should be possible to screen > at port of entry, return or destroy if any fail to PASS. Not just possible, but the only prudent approach a rational nation would take towards imports of live animals. In fact, all OTHER live animals imported are at least tested on a "sampling" basis at ports of entry, and these controls are considered "minimal". Somehow, bees are still stuck in the "plants" section of APHIS, despite the multiple failures of APHIS to do anything but count the number of times they have failed. With a port-of-entry inspection scheme, we would not need to worry about imposing "bans", as we could operate independently of the need to "trust" the shipper. I've only been making this point since 2002. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:37:10 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Bees from Australia In-Reply-To: <005b01c95f89$e1780fb0$0501000a@j> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Allow me to add to Jim's excellent comments (other than that I personally enjoyed the first Crocodile Dundee movie). Read below what our government says about the sampling of consignments: "It should be noted that inspection based on sampling always involves a degree of error. The acceptance of some degree of risk that the pests are present is inherent in the use of sampling procedures for inspection. Inspection using statistically based sampling methods can provide confidence that the incidence of a pest is below a certain level, but it can never prove that a pest is truly absent from a consignment. " http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/downloads/draft_ispm_sampling_consignments.pdf Sampling for pests assumes that if a pest does indeed enter, that we have the option of eradicating it where it shows up. Unfortunately, in the case of bee mites and viruses, we do not realistically have that option. A single individual is all that is necessary to infect the entire continent in perpetuity. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:59:26 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Sampling for pests assumes that if a pest does indeed enter, that > we have the option of eradicating it where it shows up. The limits of sampling are well understood, but even with the limitations, one has to admit that doing SOMETHING is better than what we do now, which is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Perhaps 100% of packages need to be sampled and tested. Yes, this would be costly, but less costly than the total cost of dealing with a new invasive pest or pathogen. > Unfortunately, in the case of bee mites and viruses, we do > not realistically have that option. The UK model tracks consignments, and would allow the napalming of any yard where diseased queens were shipped. Don't laugh at my use of the term "napalming". I'm not joking. Eradication is only possible at the yard level, and it is a very realistic approach to assured eradication. Yes, it is true that less-robust approaches will fail to control the spread of the invasive pest. The association passes the hat to replace bees and gear at a two-for-one ratio, as the victim needs to be made whole. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:10:01 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 16/12/2008 18:09:51 GMT Standard Time, bee-quick@BEE-QUICK.COM writes: The UK model tracks consignments, and would allow the napalming of any yard where diseased queens were shipped. Don't laugh at my use of the term "napalming". I'm not joking. Eradication is only possible at the yard level, and it is a very realistic approach to assured eradication. Yes, it is true that less-robust approaches will fail to control the spread of the invasive pest. The association passes the hat to replace bees and gear at a two-for-one ratio, as the victim needs to be made whole. Recently a batch of imported nuclei was found to have AFB (despite being certified free of that disease before entry). I understand that by the time the infection was discovered and a bonfire made it had escaped and spread. In England, members of the BKA have, as part of their subs, upgradeable for larger numbers of hives, membership of Bee Diseases Insurance (BDI) which compensates them at a set rate when their hive contents are destroyed by the Bee Inspectorate. It is popular and it helps to keep incidence of notifiable disease down as there is no incentive to conceal or to attempt to treat for these diseases. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:48:00 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Bees from Australia In-Reply-To: <20081215.120251.29888.0@webmail03.dca.untd.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="Windows-1252"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I thought the Australians were importing semen from resistant bees in > Italy to incorporate into their stock as varroa arrival in Australia is > just a matter of time. I believe Bob Harrison wrote about that. I did although not semen but queens through their strict import system ( described in several articles). The main purpose for the original import has not changed. Package bees were needed by beeks doing almond pollination. Hawaii producers declined to expand and sell and told us to move forward as they were not interested. Closing the border really only effects those beeks which are some of the largest beeks in the U.S. Those beeks which do not need the bees and never will have always been those saying to close the border. Fortunately APHIS has always said to those people to provide proof the import bees are a problem and APHIS will consider their position. Reality always trumps fear! Beekeeping in the U.S. for commercial beeks is a multibillion dollar industry and supports many agriculture enterprises needing bees. Bell Hill Honey protected its almond contract with the first import and the almond growers paid for those packages. Like it or not its the truth. Those bees brought top dollar in almonds. Those were the only Australian package bees we have used as the need only arrived once for us. Excellent bees. We have however used Australian queens ( along with U.S. and Hawaii sources) ever year since the import. One year we desperately needed 500 queens and Australia was our ONLY source. We called all U.S. producers and came up empty. All 500 arrived alive! I have now in my yards bees which came from varroa tolerant queens from Italy sent in via Australia. Buckfast queens from the Abby via Australia. Queens from stock Dann Purvis inseminated in Australia. My need for Australian package bees and queens are not needed right now but certainly a source I would like to use if I was to need in the future. Some of the biggest fear mongers as to the import forget the tens of thousands of ocean shipping containers which arrive all the time from areas of cerana. A far more likely source of problems. I read both the new books on CCD. One better than the other but in the end both said small cell comb was the answer to all our problems. Kirk Webster , Dennis Murell and the Lusbys were spoke about. I admire these people but realize those authors are certainly not seeing the big picture. In the U.S. we have all the right to our opinion. Unlike most on the list except for maybe Allen Dick I have first hand knowledge of the Australian bees. The varroa tolerant Italian bees (via Australia) are very varroa tolerant and very prolific. The Buckfast line (leather colored) are excellent bees but not as prolific or in some cases as winter hardy. To sum op the opponents of the import will present their case to Aphis and those in favor will present theirs. Aphis will decide. Unfounded fear will not stop the import. Higher numbers of those not wanting and needing those bees did not stop the import last time they tried. I could live without the import but have made money and saved almond contracts with those bees and have welcomed the long past due genetics brought in I have yards of Russian/Russian bees ( even 2008 queens) but those hives will not grade into almonds or apples in spring. A nice hobby and sideline bee but not what I like to see in a commercial bee. bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:07:11 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.com" Subject: Re: Bees from Australia Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit >>have welcomed the long past due genetics brought in Will a queen producer in the US be propagating the varroa tolerant Australian Italian genetics to make offspring queens available to other beeks? Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:59:22 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Those beeks which do not need the bees and never will > have always been those saying to close the border. The only "just say no" chant was started in 2002 by one of the self-proclaimed "National Bee Organizations". The chant was naive (or disingenuous) in the extreme, as neither the President, Congress, or APHIS could "say no" without specific disease-and-pest "grounds" to do so. The more reasonable approach, the one proposed by the same parties who want reasonable trade in semen and other genomics for breeding, has always been to ask that imported live animals be subjected to at least some level of inspection at port of entry, and some level of tracking and checks-and-balances. > Fortunately APHIS has always said to those people to > provide proof the import bees are a problem and APHIS > will consider their position. No, APHIS has been forced by the trade agreement itself to allow imports. There is no option to restrict imports under WTO rules unless there is a known and proven problem (disease or pest) in the shipping country that is not present in the receiving country. And now that there is a reportable disease or pest in the shipping country that is not in the receiving country, the need for port-of-entry inspections is even more clear. Understand that the alternative would be to point out that under WTO rules, APHIS must prohibit imports until Oz sets up at least a quarantine between the infested area and the rest of the country. > Some of the biggest fear mongers as to the import What part of "we told your so" is unclear now that Australia now undeniably has the exact bee that prompted so much prudent concern on the part of so many responsible parties? > forget the tens of thousands of ocean shipping > containers which arrive all the time from areas > of cerana. APHIS must first agree to inspect the shipments known to contain live animals before we can ask APHIS to expand their efforts to inspecting cargo that MIGHT contain live animals. I haven't heard anyone say that beekeepers with excessive losses year after year and hives too weak to make splits should not be allowed to buy expensive packages of bees that have proven to not build up in time to be acceptable hives for the almonds. :) What I do hear is valid concerns over invasive exotic pests and diseases, like the ones that are behind CCD. Not to beat anyone over the head with it, but given that rather large oceans isolate the Western hemisphere from the Eastern, how does anyone think we got every single pest and disease currently in the USA, given that bees have a limited flight range, and all these diseases and pests originated on the other side of those oceans? > I could live without the import but have made money > and saved almond contracts with those bees Almonds have done for beekeeping what cocaine did for Miami. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:57:33 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Paramutation vs mutation MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline HI All, Peter Borst offere a stunning paper: Epigenetic inheritance based evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/8/52 If you haven't taken the time to read it, suggests that we take a new look at varroa resistance to miticides, antibiotic resistance by bacteria, parasite resistance by bees, and at bee breeding mechanisms in general. Let me lift a few quotes and add comments: "In this report we present data strongly supporting the conclusion that evolution can occur without mutation....Within an isogenic [genetically identical] population of E. coli there is random variation in the expression levels of genes, creating phenotypic variation. This epigenetic variation shows an element of heritability. Some cells with elevated expression of genes conferring antibiotic resistance survive antibiotic selection, as do sufficient progeny to allow colony formation." The implication is that genetically identical varroa or bees still have variation in gene expression that can be selected for survival, and be passed on to offspring without any mutation of the DNA. "The endogenous E. coli AmpC gene represents a cryptic gene, normally not significantly expressed, but when activated capable of conferring potent antibiotic resistance." Some genes are "cryptic"--you don't see them expressed except under exceptional circumstances, such as when a chemical is applied, a parasite attacks, or the environment changes. "On the other hand, once a gene expression pattern is established there are epigenetic memory mechanisms capable of preserving the gene expression state for multiple generations" We can still breed for this sort of gene expression, and it can be passed on to future generations. But it will be lost unless the "challenge" that initiated it is maintained. This sort of non genetic change has been termed "paramutation." As Pete has pointed out, recent research is turning much of what we thought that we knew about evolution and inheritance on its head! Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:22:56 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Paramutation vs mutation In-Reply-To: <3dcef4a10812170857m1295c152m67ca5deb44ff28e8@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline In epigenetics , *paramutation* is an interaction between two alleles of a single locus , resulting in a heritable change of one allele that is induced by the other allele. Paramutation violates Mendel's first law, which states that in the process of the formation of the gametes (egg or sperm) the allelic pairs separate, one going to each gamete, and that each gene remains completely uninfluenced by the other. In paramutation an allele in one generation heritably affects the other allele in future generations, even if the allele causing the change is itself not transmitted. What may be transmitted in such a case are RNAs such as piRNAs , siRNAs , miRNAsor other regulatory RNAs . These are packaged in egg or sperm and cause paramutation upon transmission to the next generation. This means that RNA is a molecule of inheritance, just like DNA. Wikipedia ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:46:18 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?windows-1252?Q?Dan_Smith?= Subject: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Can you point me to a resource that covers the issues to consider when timing the interruption of the brood cycle for the purpose of reducing the Varroa population? Specifically, I want to time this so there is minimal impact to honey production. Other issues would also be interesting. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:27:05 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: van Westendorp report Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 07:23:02 -0800, randy oliver wrote: >They could find no positve correlation between varroa levels and viruses. >"In fact, many colonies that ...tested positive for IAPV or KBV had low or >nontectectable Varroa mite infestation levels." L. Bailey wrote in 2001: > The severe, widely-publicised disease of bees, referred to as ‘the Isle of Wight disease’ in Britain early in the last century when colonies were more numerous than subsequently, was wrongly attributed to the mite, which causes no overt symptoms. The disease was almost certainly caused by bee paralysis virus, which does cause the symptoms and is independent of the mite, and which is similarly associated with large densities of bee colonies. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:39:41 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Though not a direct answer to your question, I think it may tie in somehow: > Empirical and theoretical considerations suggest, however, that intracolony population dynamics of mite-honey bee worker seem to be unstable in managed situations where honey bee worker population is allowed to grow unchecked. Experimental studies showed that tracheal mite population levels increased in a managed honey bee colony but were impaired in one in which brood rearing was interrupted by loss of the queen. Mite densities but not prevalence were lowered in experimental swarms kept from rearing brood. We propose that swarming reduces mite density within a colony, therefore implicating modern techniques of hive management in the sudden historical appearance of the mite on the Isle of Wight. Reduction of tracheal mite parasitism of honey bees by swarming. Royce LA, Rossignol PA, Burgett DM, Stringer BA. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:06:21 +0100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Juanse Barros Subject: Re: Bees from Australia In-Reply-To: <002b01c96068$cfd11060$0501000a@j> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Well, Chile is a great place to supply you with healthy bees, very far away from Asia and A. cerana. We should work together, to open the USA market (we already open the Canadian market and are working to open the Mexican one), plus bringing the "How Not" from Australia, maybe in some sort of joint venture. In the mean time Western Australia is a good option free of EFB and far away from Cairns and the East. -- Juanse Barros J. APIZUR S.A. Carrera 695 Gorbea - CHILE +56-45-271693 08-3613310 http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/ juanseapi@gmail.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:51:56 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Peter Posted this study. I hate obfuscation. Help me out here: What this says: > Empirical and theoretical considerations suggest, however, that intracolony population dynamics of mite-honey bee worker seem to be unstable in managed situations where honey bee worker population is allowed to grow unchecked. Experimental studies showed that tracheal mite population levels increased in a managed honey bee colony but were impaired in one in which brood rearing was interrupted by loss of the queen. Mite densities but not prevalence were lowered in experimental swarms kept from rearing brood. We propose that swarming reduces mite density within a colony, therefore implicating modern techniques of hive management in the sudden historical appearance of the mite on the Isle of Wight. Reduction of tracheal mite parasitism of honey bees by swarming. Royce LA, Rossignol PA, Burgett DM, Stringer BA. What I think it says: Experience and speculation indicate that the balance between the populations of mites-Vs-bees can be erratic in an apiary working to expand the number of bees. Studies show that T-mites increased in some colonies but did not where a queen was lost. Also, mite numbers were lowered in swarms where brood rearing was curtailed ergo: swarming reduces T-mites. Preventing swarming may have led to a sudden explosion of mites leading to the "Isle of Wight." Calamity. Tell me readers, did I get it right? ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:01:36 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Re: van Westendorp report In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Randy contributed: L. Bailey wrote in 2001: >>>(Isle of Wight Disease)was wrongly attributed to the (T) mite, which causes no overt symptoms.<<<<< It should be noted that the "disease" was not attributed to mites until something like 7 years later and after other die-offs in the UK. Dick Marron ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:00:38 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: van Westendorp report In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bailey wrote( many years ago): > was wrongly attributed to the mite, which causes no overt symptoms. The disease was almost certainly caused by bee paralysis virus, which does cause the symptoms and is independent of the mite, and which is similarly associated with large densities of bee colonies. I am not so sure about the above. 1. plenty of overt symptoms of TM infestation 2. Bee paralysis virus rarely caused problems before mites. I mean almost NEVER in the U.S. Most commercial beeks considered the research of Bailey (U.K.) as only of minor interest in the U.S. until mites arrived. Before mites in Florida yards of 600 hives ( larger densities than Bailey would ever see in the U.K.) between honey flows were not uncommon in the largest operation and active BPV was never seen. Although would be found in tests. In Australia today holding yards of over a 1000 hives by Browns bees are not uncommon between flows with no BPV issues and you can find BPV in most hives if you test. As the CCD working group found most common bee virus are found in most hives. Strong bees with healthy immune systems are for the most part immune to virus issues. One reason the search for a virus alone as the cause for CCD is not a big priority for most beeks because there is no solution for virus issues except healthy bees. I agree the hives in England might have had weakened immune systems back then which lead to the widespread hive lost more than the tracheal mites BUT if placing a bet I would still bet the tracheal mites caused the virus issues to rise to cause problems. . back in the 80's I had a bee tested ( among 50 sent) which had around 200 tracheal mites in the bees black colored trachea. Bee paralysis virus is easy to detect as the bees can not fly or many times even climb the comb. However mostly in the advance stages. I am not an expert on what has been named Isle of Wright disease but am very familiar with tracheal mites ,symptoms and virus related to tracheal mite infestations. bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:38:46 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello Bob from down under: >Down Under, we do a lot of talking about keeping varroa out of the country. If you look at past beekeeping history once varroa is found then you move to the next step which is "Living with varroa". >Some say that varroa has a positive side to it. There is no positive to varrao from where I sit. >When varroa spreads across the country, feral hives and less well managed >hobby hives, will be permanently destroyed, and these 'free pollinators' >will no longer serve the orchardists. I would rather have the hobby and feral hives. Varroa will remove most of both these things but there loss did not impact us a lot. In fact many said when the above were gone massive honey crops would be had. Did not happen. Honey crops remained basically the same. >Are all ferals doomed? Certainly not all but the USDA-ARS said for many years 90% of ferals were lost to mites from their observations and studies. >Are pollination services in greater demand? pollination services were in demand due to hives lost to mites and a huge number of beeks which went bankrupt or in other words did not have or could not borrow the money needed to replace losses so sold out. U.S. honey prices when varroa arrived was around .35-.40 cents a pound and had been for a few years. Both honey prices and pollination fees had been depressed for quite awhile. Also it was hard for U.S. beeks to even find buyers at those prices as China was dumping honey on the U.S. market. Your honey prices are high and are expected to stay high which should help you keep your heads above water when varroa arrives. What I am about to say might create a stir on BEE-L but will say it. All known mites of mellifera can be controlled. Apis cerana other than a possible carrier of these mites is not a problem for beeks as the two will not cross. Researchers have in my opinion a hard time with reality commercial beeks are forced to live with reality Many times we have to say to researchers to cut to the bottom line so we can come up with a plan of action as you are more interested in documenting a problem than coming up with a plan of action in our opinions. Sure its best you do not get new mites or cerana but certainly not the end of Australian beekeeping. Varroa will require changes in management. With varroa its best to be the first to find varroa in your bees and start "living with varroa" rather than go out one day and find half your hives dead and the other half dying from varroa and PMS.( which is the way many beeks which considered their selves to be expert beeks learned the lesson of varroa") it is what it is. Sincerely, Bob Harrison ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:03:12 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > ... issues to consider when timing the interruption of the > brood cycle for the purpose of reducing the Varroa population? > Specifically, I want to time this so there is minimal impact > to honey production. I don't know of any book that details this apporoach, but assuming that you know the timing of your spring blooms, you can feed in advance of blooms to build up a substantial population, and then cage the queens just before the bloom with push-in queen cages. This would not hurt honey production at all. It would increase the harvestable crop. Caging the queen frees up bees that would be otherwise feeding brood for nectar processing work. A secondary idea is that one is not raising bees that will only be extra mouths to feed, as they will live their lives during the post-bloom dearth period. This tactic works well in VA as a scheme to increase comb honey crops, as VA has a strong and short early flow, and then a delay before the clovers and sourwood blooms. The impact on varroa would be that one can halt the increase in varroa population for the period that the queen is caged, but some or all of the adult varroa will survive the broodless period. Timing is crucial, as one does not want to keep the queens caged too long. But this is not going to do anything more than stall the varroa for a short period. It is not going to decrease one's varroa population. The broodless period would make Oxalic or powdered sugar dusting much more effective. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:54:48 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Aaron Morris Subject: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit I just came back from a meeting of the Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp, in Sacramento, today. The news is dismal. If there ever was a time for you to get involved, this is it! Please make a point of letting CDFA know your opposition to AB771 before the week's end. It is really urgent! A word, a line, a letter, anything that will let the State Secretary of Agriculture know that you object to the unbelievable move by large citrus growers to forbid or reduce access to some areas in the state that are most important for the health of honeybees. Here is a little background: Citrus growers can generate much greater financial gains by planting varieties of mandarin oranges that can produce seedless fruit. So, they planted these in large numbers in recent years. Nothing wrong here, except that they did this without taking the proper precautions to ensure that the fruit be seedless (these are essentially to either plant varieties that can spontaneously produce seedless fruit or by assuring the presence of buffer zones around these orchards in order to prevent cross pollination by compatible pollen from other citrus varieties). When they realized that their fruit contained seeds because honey bees foraged on their trees, they asked the state legislature to forbid the presence of honeybees within a two-mile radius of any 6 acre parcel of their orchard. This means potentially banning bees from 8,000 acres of land to protect any 6 acre orchard. At a time when honey bees are suffering from loss of habitat and from ensueing malnutrition, among other ailments, this is absolutely incredible and unconscionable! And this is contributing to what is bound to be one of the greatest environmental crises of our time: the loss of pollinators. Furthermore, if this ruling is allowed to pass, citrus growers will be placing the burden of ensuring that they make a greater financial profit from their crops onto all the other people that live and work around their orchards. Our legislators should protect the rights and freedom of individuals. In this case, they washed their hands of the issue and turned the decision over to a workgroup that shows no sign of coming to any compromise. So, ultimately the decision will be made by the State Secretary of Agriculture. This will be done within just a few days. Of course, citrus growers have the right to plant whatever variety of mandarin oranges they want to on their land. But their revenue must be generated in a responsible manner. This can be done by netting the trees or by strategically placing the orchards, for example. This has to be done at their cost. The rights and freedom of others who live and work around their orchards should not be affected. They should still not be prevented from having bees on their land. Again, please write without delay to the State Secretary of Agriculture to say that you oppose AB771. Beekeepers should be allowed to have bees in these areas that are crucial to bee health, as they have traditionally done for decades Also, forward this email to as many of your friends as possible. This is urgent, as the State Secretary of Agriculture will make a determination in the next few days. This is important, as the functioning of our ecosystem, including our food supply, depends on honey bees and other pollinators. Here is the address of the CDFA: A. G. Kawamura, Secretary California Department of Food and Agriculture 1220 N Street, Suite A-400 Sacramento, CA 95814 Thank you. Serge Labesque ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:20:21 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?UTF-8?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: Paramutation vs mutation Comments: To: Randy Oliver Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > Many single-celled organisms collect genes from other organisms — a process known as horizontal gene transfer — but multicellular organisms tend not to. Tiny invertebrates called bdelloid rotifers were found to buck this trend, taking on genetic material from a range of other species, including bacteria, fungi and plants. Multicellular creatures rarely do this because their germ line is sequestered in the gonads, explain Eugene Gladyshev, Matthew Meselson and Irina Arkhipova at Harvard University. Bdelloid rotifers are different. They often experience desiccation, potentially opening up their cell membranes to chunks of outsider DNA. This unusual way of injecting diversity into their genomes may help to explain why these rotifers have gone 40 million years without having sex. (http://www.nature.com) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:36:06 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Re: van Westendorp report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Bob Harrison wrote: >Bailey wrote( many years ago): >> was wrongly attributed to the mite, which causes no overt symptoms. No, Bob. Not many years ago. It was in "Experimental and Applied Acarology" 25: 745–749, 2001. He goes on to say: The high incidence of the tracheal mite found in North America during the last two decades of the last century have caused much concern there (Morse and Flottum 1997). However, this concern is much influenced by the very common misapprehension, which arose when the mite was first discovered in Scotland about 1918 (Rennie et al. 1921), that it causes the Isle of Wight disease. The mathematically deduced hypothesis of Royce et al. (1991), that the adoption of modern beekeeping techniques in Britain about 1900 diminished the swarming of bees and increased the drifting of bees between colonies to cause "devastating mite epizootics", is completely contrary to the actual events. Infestation decreased greatly and spontaneously in Britain since records began about 1920, notwithstanding the predominance of modern beekeeping techniques throughout the century (Bailey and Perry 1982). Royce et al. (1993) observed that feral bee colonies are less infested than those of beekeepers and suggested that this is because feral colonies swarm more. Our alternative interpretation, based on the facts given in this paper, is that isolated feral colonies experience less competition, and so forage more intensively than beekeeper's colonies, which are usually kept in close groups. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:05:01 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Fwd: [BEE-L] Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <3dcef4a10812172202u2b2c5ae3yb17b5f5d88971b35@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline >Can you point me to a resource that covers the issues to consider when > timing the interruption of the brood cycle for the purpose of reducing the > Varroa population? > Hi Dan, As Jim says, just before the honey flow. There are additional tricks. If you can confine the queen onto an entire drawn comb by the use of the type of queen excluder cage used by queen breeders, then you could let her lay on that comb for a week. At the end of the week, the brood in the excluder cage will be too young to harbor mites. Remove the comb and give it to another colony. Replace it with another drawn comb for the queen to lay in. At the end of the second week, do the same as above (a drawn drone comb would be best at this time). At the end of the third week, release the queen free to roam and remove the excluder cage, but leave the laid out comb in the colony, marked. The next day this comb will start to "trap" mites, and will do so for a week. There will be no other brood of the right age in the colony for the mites to enter. Any time from ten days til two weeks later, you can remove the marked comb, which will contain most of the varroa mites in the colony. Freeze, scrape, or heat to kill the mites and brood. This method only sacrifices one week's worth of queen laying. Labor intensive, yes, but uses the mite's biology against it. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:28:57 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? In-Reply-To: <9F2000BFB34C465C9B06F37409C17175@bobPC> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob said: >>>>> All known mites of mellifera can be controlled. Apis cerana other than a possible carrier of these mites is not a problem for beeks as the two will not cross.<<<<<< No one ever worried about them "crossing." (Except, maybe, crossing the ocean.) If mites were controlled we wouldn't be losing bees to the pathogens that they vector. They are known to host Tropilaelaps Clareae, a mite worse than varroa. What experience do you have with this mite? It may be that these bees have accommodated to other, invisible nasties that haven't had a lot of study. Dick Marron ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:30:36 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Mike Rossander Subject: Re: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp In-Reply-To: <6999718ED3E19D4AA061F73254EEA34105CFD970@UAEXCH.univ.albany.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable To clarify: California Assembly Bill AB711 is already enacted law.=A0 It's too late to = oppose the law and letters saying just that will probably get ignored.=A0 (= http://www.statesurge.com/bills/44903-ab771-california if you want to look = at the actual bill) I think what we are being asked to write to the CA Dept of Food & Ag about = is opposition to the _findings_ of the Workgroup.=A0 Unfortunately, I have = not yet been able to find a reference that describes those findings.=A0 The= closest I could get was this link which shows the meeting agenda (http://w= ww.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/pdfs/SeedlessAgenda_121708.pdf).=A0 I can't find the p= roposed regulations that they describe anywhere.=A0=20 Personally, I'm unwilling to write in opposition until I know exactly what = I'm being asked to oppose.=A0 Can someone provide us with a link to the pro= posed reg?=A0 Thanks. Mike Rossander =0A=0A=0A ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:32:59 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgroup MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I wrote as suggested. Dear Mr. Secretary, I read with awe that you are considering AB771 and that this issue was not resolved a long time ago. It challenges credibility to think that the welfare of honeybees, who have challenges enough, could possibly be considered on a par with the finding of a few seeds in an orange. The growers planned poorly, after being warned, and should harvest their well deserved experience. Saving them from their own actions at the last moment is as sensible as rushing in to save other businesses from failure to plan. It goes past comprehension that anyone could claim the air around their holdings, just because it is in their own best interests to do so. The bees pre-existed the seedless oranges and their foraging habits were well known. The honey and pollination that they provide for Ca. is more valuable than all of the orange crops. Please decide in favor of the hard working bees and beekeepers. Dick Marron I sent it to: akawamura@cdfa.ca.gov You all can write and don't need to copy and paste this.but feel free to do so. Dick Marron ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:44:02 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? In-Reply-To: <004a01c9611c$f6f304f0$e4d90ed0$@net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > If mites were controlled we wouldn't be losing bees to the pathogens > that they vector. Small point, but the mites do not vector pathogens. They weaken the bee so any pathogen has a chance. Vector assumes the diseases is with the mite, such as mosquitoes are a vector of malaria. Went through this with Tracheal and virus. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:32:30 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp In-Reply-To: <790178.18983.qm@web51507.mail.re2.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Mike is correct that AB771 is old news, and nothing can be done about it. I just spoke with the representative of the Calif State Beekeepers rep at the meeting (Gene Brandi)-- he asks that we hold comments until the task force returns with revised recommendations. At that time there will be a 40-day comment period. I will post to the List when that occurs. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:53:08 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Small point, but the mites do not vector pathogens. They do vector viruses. "Step One" is that a wide range of viruses are present at low levels in "apparently healthy" colonies. http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/70/12/7185.pdf "Step Two" is that varroa suck on the hemolymph of the few bees that have viruses, and spread them to not only any subsequent bees that they feed upon, but they also spread it to other mites that feed upon those bees. The mites are the unwitting carrier of viruses that the bees already had, spreading multiple viruses to many bees, which spread them to many varroa, and so on. http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/72/1/606.pdf > They weaken the bee so any pathogen has a chance. This may well be a factor in practical terms, but a weakened bee is not a requirement for infection - the viruses can infect "healthy bees" with ease. > Vector assumes the diseases is with the mite, > such as mosquitoes are a vector of malaria. Judy Chen proved that individual mites do carry individual viruses, and some mites carry multiple viruses, all infecting bees they bite, which then themselves become vectors for infecting other mites. She even uses the term "vector" in her papers. This is why multiple mites per brood cell is such a big sign, as Judy found that there was a direct relationship between number of mites per cell, and the odds of that bee (and all the mites in the cell) having one or more viruses at hatch-out. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:01:55 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Griggs Mike Subject: Mann Library Expands Online Library of Rare Beekeeping Volumes Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v930.3) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Cornell University's Albert R. Mann Library is delighted to announce the addition of the first twenty volumes of The American Bee Journal, a key American beekeeping publication, to its Hive and the Honeybee online library of historical beekeeping materials. U.S. beekeepers will be familiar with The American Bee Journal, the first English-language journal devoted to the beekeeping field. First published in 1861, The American Bee Journal featured contributions by major figures of 19th century American apiculture such as L.L. Langstroth, Henry Alley, Moses Quinby, A.I. Root and others. Still being published today, the ABJ exists as a monument to the long history of American beekeeping and the ingenuity of its practitioners. The ABJ’s first twenty volumes, now available at http://bees.library.cornell.edu/ , cover the years 1861 through 1884. From observations on Chinese methods for harvesting honey to tips on the use of wild onions and other herbs as honey plants, these early volumes present a treasure trove of often beautifully illustrated details on the theory and practice of 19th century American beekeeping. Online access to ABJ’s early volumes is the result of a multi-year initiative supported by beekeepers from across the United States. Contributions sent in from beekeeping associations from California to Maine made the digitization of these volumes possible, while matching funds from Mann Library’s preservation program have supported the scanning of an additional twenty volumes that will be available online by Spring 2009. The Hive and the Honeybee is a free, full text digital archive of selected works from Mann Library's E. F. Phillips Collection, one of the world’s most comprehensive apicultural libraries. This growing online archive, generously supported by American beekeepers, offers ready access to works of historical importance and usefulness to both scholars and practicing beekeepers today. In addition to the newly added volumes from The American Bee Journal, the site currently offers over thirty key historical monographs, including classics such as the 1623 edition of Charles Butler’s The Feminine Monarchie, and Samuel Hartlib’s work, The Reformed Commonwealth of Bees, published in 1655. Thanx to Mann Library and the generous donation of all beekeepers & beek associations who have made this possible! Mike Griggs FLBC ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:44:51 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp In-Reply-To: <3dcef4a10812180932m7e13074w79e19e2f170169cc@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello All, The outgoing lame duck secretary of Ag is not a friend to beekeepers. The newly appointed Secretary of Ag is I have been told. However I doubt seedless Mandarin growers will be able to legislate away seeded mandarin oranges. Some beeks will find a way to make orange blossom honey in those areas. The person which laughs last usually laughs the hardest. However with the Imid use on oranges and the losses many beeks are seeing in orange perhaps many will give up on orange honey and move on to other areas. I have received many emails from Florida asking for advice as to placement of hives in orange. I can give none except to check with growers as to what chems they are using and decide if the loss is worth the gain. bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:53:17 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Brian Ames Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit why not consider drone trapping? On the remaining non-resistant lines of bees I have left we have used the Randy Oliver drone deep frame and have had very good success in only using one apiguard treatment as late as Oct without crashing our hives. I am in central Mn. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:22:02 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jerry Bromenshenk Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In addition, Varroa Destructor Virus-1 that the Army and us found and reported in North American bees reproduces in both varroa mites and in honey bees. Jerry **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215047751x1200957972/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:27:12 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robert Brenchley Subject: Re: Bees from Australia MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 15/12/2008 17:18:34 GMT Standard Time, peterlborst@GMAIL.COM writes: <> Around 2000 or 2001 - I don't have the exact date - I participated in a survey run by the CSL to determine the level of hygienic behaviour in Britain. At the time I had a strain of ill-adapted hybrids which certainly hadn't been selected for anything. I found quite high levels of hygeinic behaviour, based on a simple test which involved cutting out squares of broodcomb, freezing them, putting them back into the comb, and counting how many cells were emptied over a couple of days. Regards, Robert Brenchley Birmingham UK ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:24:09 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? In-Reply-To: <003001c96141$dec2b2c0$0501000a@j> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > Small point, but the mites do not vector pathogens. > >They do vector viruses. They also vector bacteria to the feeding wounds, notably EFB. The introduction of these bacteria induce their own set of immunological problems for the bees. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:03:42 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? In-Reply-To: <8c0381120812180944q4939a818xfb8c42d9c12737c1@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > Went through this with Tracheal and virus. > Interesting that I was corrected way back when on Tracheal when I said it might be a vector and corrected again when I said it was not for Varroa. Seems I am in a state of Karma and the yin and yang of the universe is in balance. Appreciate the corrections. Wonder now if virus were also in Tracheal. But then, maybe leave that so the universe stays in balance. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:18:59 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Bees, viruses and mites MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Mites in the genus Tropilaelaps are ectoparasites of the brood of honey bees. Different Tropilaelaps subspecies were originally described from Apis dorsata, but a host switch occurred to the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, for which infestations can rapidly lead to colony death. Data presented clearly demonstrates that the genus Tropilaelaps contains four distinct species. The most common species, Tropilaelaps clareae, is also an economically important pest of the introduced Western honeybee (A. mellifera) throughout Asia and is considered an emerging threat to world apiculture. was First isolated from a colony of the Western honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, in the Philippines, and from Weld rats nesting nearby. Since switching to A. mellifera, T. clareae has spread beyond the geographical range of its primary honeybee host to Iran, Afghanistan, Kenya, South Korea and the Western Pacific island of New Guinea Tropilaelaps is hence considered more dangerous to A. mellifera than the parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Honey bees are also infected by many different viruses, some of them associated with and vectored by V. destructor. In recent years, deformed wing virus (DWV) has become the most prevalent virus infection in honey bees associated with V. destructor. DWV is distributed world-wide, and found wherever the Varroa mite is found, although low levels of the virus can also be found in Varroa free colonies. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to show the presence of DWV in infested brood and Tropilaelaps mercedesae mites collected in China, and to demonstrate a close quantitative association between mite-infested pupae of A. mellifera and DWV infections. sources "Deformed wing virus associated with Tropilaelaps mercedesae infesting European honey bees (Apis mellifera). Forsgren E, et al "Genetic and morphological variation of bee-parasitic Tropilaelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae): new and re-defined species" Denis L. Anderson · Mathew J. Morgan ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 18:46:42 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jerry Bromenshenk Subject: Re: Bees, viruses and mites MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Add Euvarroa and Kashmir virus to the list of mites and viruses that are found in A. cerana. Jerry **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215047751x1200957972/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:06:01 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline On Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 12:53 PM, Brian Ames wrote: > why not consider drone trapping? On the remaining non-resistant lines of > bees I have left we have used the Randy Oliver drone deep > frame and have had very good success in only using one apiguard treatment > as late as Oct without crashing our hives. Thanks for the feedback, Brian. Anyone else? In my own operation, with bees showing substantial resistance to varroa, spring splitting, a couple of drone trappings, and a bit of Apiguard are working wonders. We've been sloppy on timing with the drone trap frames, yet simply cutting out whatever drone brood is there on regular inspections appears to help. I hope to run a controlled trial next season. Still on the learning curve in California, Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:38:48 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Grant Gillard Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I think this qualifies as "other issues."=A0 I welcome feedback. =A0 I, likewise, have an interest in this brood cycle break as a threat to the = varroa population.=A0 The April '08 Bee Culture had an interesting article,= but by the time I read it, it was October. =A0 The article described summer nucs,=A0what others have called "Yard Trashing= ."=A0 I understand yard trashing as the complete breakdown of a colony into= summer=A0nucs, moving the nucs to a new yard and either requeening with qu= een cells or allowing them to raise their own queens.=A0 Obviously, one wou= ld have to do this when the colonies had time/nectar and pollen to build up= a winter reserve.=A0=20 =A0 The queenless period, according to the author, provides a natural brood bre= ak, reduced varroa populations going into a time when varroa populations no= rmally explode, and a late-season queen that will continue to lay eggs goin= g into the late fall.=A0 The colony builds up into a strong single that goe= s into the winter and comes out in the spring in a better shape than if=A0a= person were to=A0split and make spring nucs. =A0 In our neck of the woods in SE Missouri, our minor nectar flow runs mid-Apr= il to mid-May.=A0 We have a cold spell we call "Blackberry Winter," which c= orresponds to the blackberry bloom, usually between Mother's Day and the lo= cal high school graduation ceremonies.=A0 After blackberry winter, the majo= r flow comes on like gangbusters until early July. =A0 Then from mid-July through August, there just ain't much of anything until = Labor Day when the golden rod starts blooming. =A0 My thought is to build up my colonies like I normally do.=A0 I do not split= in the spring, but rather work other angles to prevent swarming and I keep= ample supers on=A0strong hives.=A0=20 =A0 In late June, I anticipate yard trashing leaving behind the old queen, a li= ttle brood and the supers.=A0 Once split and move the nucs, I'll go back an= d harvest my supers.=A0 Since there is no realistic expectation of any hone= y produced in July and August, I won't be hurting my honey harvest.=A0 Addi= tionally,=A0I'll be feeding these new nucs, but then I usually feed after I= extract anyway. =A0 The following spring, in theory, holds that a young queen and a nice colony= would not necessarily be so prone to swarm.=A0 These colonies then build u= p, produce honey and they you split those the following summer. =A0 That's my game plan.=A0 Any thoughts?=A0 It's all still on paper emanating = from the idealism of my fertile imagination. =A0 Grant Jackson, MO=0A=0A=0A ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:33:17 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Re: Seedless Mandarin and Honey Bee Coexistence Workgourp MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I got a rather response to my letter. I'm not precisely sure of what it means. Dick Marron Mr. Marron Thank you for your comments. AB 771 was passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor on October 8, 2007 and therefore is in existing statute (FAC 29810). Existing law and potential regulations, as required by AB 771, do NOT ban or restrict the placement of honeybees near citrus groves. AB 771 only applies to Tulare, Fresno, Madera and Kern counties. There is existing statute, starting with FAC 29040, that addresses the requirements of owners of apiaries. Legislative Office CDFA 916 654-0321 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:42:30 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Palmer Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <994569.25855.qm@web110704.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > >In late June, I anticipate yard trashing leaving behind the old >queen, a little brood and the supers. You don't need to leave any brood behind. The old queen and the field bees will repopulate a broodnest. You could leave a partially filled super on the bottom board, with the full supers on top. Or, if you have any deeps of honey and empty comb left over from your trashing, put that on the bottom board. That's what I do. Once the queen has established a broodnest with emerging brood, I requeen it with my last round of queens. Mike ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:52:29 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <994569.25855.qm@web110704.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > >That's my game plan. Any thoughts? Hi Grant, I agree with Mike--I only give the old queen a single frame of brood, and leave her to pick up the field force. We don't have a fall flow in my neck of the woods, so late splits don't work. We split everything early (late March thru April)--as soon as there are enough drones to mate queens. Strong splits will still make honey. If we can move to a later flow, we sometimes split again. Tip: make more nucs that you plan to use, and assume that you will combine at least a quarter of them. Don't waste time on any second-rate queens. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:49:17 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: SreenivasaRao Subject: Imidacloprid MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Hi, Which Imidacloprid formulation is is best. What is the dosage of Imdacloprid for chillies, cotton and vegetables to control mites, thrips and sucking pest. Regards, Sreeni. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:40:01 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.net" Subject: Re: Paramutation vs mutation Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > Many single-celled organisms collect genes from other organisms — a rocess known as horizontal gene transfer — but multicellular organisms tend not to. The latter supposedly is only observable in lab conditions (http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/gene_transfer/marker_genes/226.docu.html). I am a skeptic since, for me, nature is one big lab that finds ways to achieve 'improbable conditions.' Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:49:31 GMT Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: "waldig@netzero.net" Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit >>...mellifera... Apis cerana other than a possible carrier of these mites is not a problem for beeks as the two will not cross. If resistant to mites/disease cerana arrives in the US and it can take the northern winters, it may just replace the EHB in the feral population in much of the country just like the AHB dominates the feral landscape across the US south-west. It's conceivable managed colonies may have no choice but go the cerana way then. Other than possibly hurt sentiment, I am not sure of all the pros and cons of such a change-over. Waldemar ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:24:56 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Bees from Australia In-Reply-To: <7eb65cc10812171706k41494d52m3009cefb034c44e2@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline >Well, Chile is a great place to supply you with healthy bees, very far away > from Asia and A. cerana. > >In the mean time Western Australia is a good option free of EFB and far > away from Cairns and the East. The import issue involves several factors--expediency, politics, profit, and biology. The Australian bees proposed for export are almost certainly free of mites (but not of viruses). Since we've already been importing them, it is unlikely that they would bring in any novel pathogens *this year.* One could certainly make the case that the import of bees this year from either Australia or Chile is *unlikely* to add new pathogens to our population. One could also make the case that it is a waste of effort to ban imports, without coordinating such a ban with Canada and Mexico, since parasites do not respect arbitrary political borders (as opposed to the physical barriers of oceans). However, in the bigger biological picture, one should consider honey bees in the U.S., Australia, or Chile to be classified as introduced invasive species. As Darwin noted, introduced species often enjoy the great benefit of a reduced parasite load by not bringing their full complement of parasites with them to a new continent. The new book "Infectious Disease Ecology" details how invasive species go through four phases (you can read pages 160-164 on Amazon): In brief, the newly-introduced host (the bee) thrives due to lack of pathogens. Then pathogens arrive, and spread through the host population. Then the host population suffers. Finally the pathogen decreases due to lack of host. The end result is a recurring oscillation of host and parasite abundance (note the episodic bee collapse events that have been documented). Up until 40 years ago, North American honey bees enjoyed freedom from a slew of parasites that have arrived since. Both Australia and Chile currently enjoy such freedom from some of the major parasites, and I suggest that beekeepers there enjoy that blessing, for it will be temporary. In the long run, honey bee populations on all continents will likely become infested with every bee parasite on the planet. The trade of bees from one continent to another expedites that process. I wish my friends in Australia and Chile every option to extract American dollars from us. However, the political/trade/profit gains are short term. Biological invasion is generally forever. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:44:00 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: vectors MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline I am having a bit of trouble getting my mind around the designation of Varroa being a vector of virus. So far, what has been presented is that virus have been found in mites. That is a given if they have fed on a bee that has virus. Are mites, like most disease vectors, immune from the virus? Are mites found with KBV (and the like) in colonies that have never had KBV or do the mites mirror the state of the bees and have the same virus distribution? Also, usually a disease vector is identified with a specific disease such as malaria and mosquitos and deer ticks and lyme disease. So is Varroa the vector for IAPV, KBV whatever? (It seems not since bees can succumb to virus with low or no Varroa or can succumb with Tracheal mites.) We know that virus are found in colonies but seem to do fine until the introduction of Varroa, so how does Varroa pick up the designation of a Varroa vector or even an EFB vector? I have also been told that bees transfer virus by direct contact and feeding which accounts for colony deaths with few Varroa so are bees also the virus vector? I realize I am being a bit picky on the use of the word. But stuck here with the end of a chest cold, do I call my son a chest cold vector as he gave it to me? From- "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll `When *I* use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.' `The question is,' said Alice, `whether you *can* make words mean so many different things.' `The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master -- that's all.' Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:27:56 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Irwin_Harlton?= Subject: New sweetner, calorie free Rebenia Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit http://www.allaboutrebiana.com/ brought to you from Coca Cola and Cargill A new company GLG Life Tech Corporation growing stevia Stevia is a natural, calorie free sugar substitute, derived from the leaves of the stevia plant scientifically known as Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni. Indigenous to Paraguay, stevia has been used to sweeten food and beverages for over 200 years. It includes no additional chemicals and provides a healthy, 100% natural solution for consumers. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:50:30 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?ISO-8859-1?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: Paramutation vs mutation Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit >> Many single-celled organisms collect genes from other organisms -- a process known as horizontal gene transfer > >> The latter supposedly is only observable in lab conditions reply: > The massive horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which has recently become so apparent, is challenging our views of genome evolution. This genetic cross-talk is thought to have the potential to erase much of the history of life that has been recorded in DNA. Indeed, some, perhaps most, scientists think that HGT may have effectively erased the phylogenetic signal of the tree of life from genomes. from Deriving the Genomic Tree of Life in the Presence of Horizontal Gene Transfer: Conditioned Reconstruction by James A. Lake and Maria C. Rivera (c) Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution 2004; all rights reserved. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:02:26 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Robert Brenchley Subject: Re: Questions about - Producing Varroa-tolerant Honey Bees from Local... MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 16/12/2008 12:42:33 GMT Standard Time, CSlade777@AOL.COM writes: <> There could be other reasons for this besides learning. At the beginning of the season, the bees are going to be struggling to manage a relatively large quantity of brood; once the broodnest starts shrinking, there are likely to be a lot more available for other activities. Regards, Robert Brenchley Birmingham UK ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:02:04 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > yet simply cutting out whatever drone brood is there > on regular inspections appears to help. I hope to > run a controlled trial next season. When "drone comb" was first made available in "deep size" only, I looked at my operation, with nothing but mediums, and tried taking a knife to my wax combs. The problem was that cutting out drone cells assured that the bees would both replace the cut-out comb area with drone comb again, and also convert worker cells to drone cells as a short-term reaction to the sudden lack of drone brood. The bees really want that drone brood. It is part of their definition of "successful beekeeping", which includes swarming, superceeding, and storing only as much honey as they need to survive winter. So, the long term impact of cutting out drone brood is going to be a colony with more and more drone cells, prompting more cutting, drifting in a slow spiral towards having a significant fraction of drone comb. The "honey supercell" drawn plastic comb denies the bees the ability to make proper drone cells, so the bees draw bridge and brace comb to get their drones. Worse, having 20% drone comb in a colony (which Tom Seeley stated was "normal" in his study) cut honey production in half versus colonies where drone comb was kept to 5% or less. Seeley did not remove the drone comb when capped, so those practicing "drone removal" should see less difference, but feeding drone brood through the capping stage is "expensive" in both resources and labor. http://www.apidologie.org/articles/apido/pdf/2002/01/Seeley.pdf Even when I replaced brood comb with "too many drone cells" with frames of drawn comb from last year's honey supers, the bees still worked some cells into drone cells. Another approach to "interrupting the brood cycle" might be to treat with Oxalic acid in spring/summer, which would kill most of the open brood along with the varroa. Seems too draconian to me. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:06:33 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dick Marron Subject: Re: vectors In-Reply-To: <8c0381120812190844la8810t677690a2ed7d631b@mail.gmail.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bill T said: >>>>>>>>>I am having a bit of trouble getting my mind around the designation of Varroa being a vector of virus. So far, what has been presented is that virus have been found in mites. That is a given if they have fed on a bee that has virus.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< In your honor Bill, I looked it up. Wiki says simply: Vector (biology), organism that transmits diseases, infections, or foreign living material. If we stay with DWV and note that adults carry it with no problems; developing brood are affected in several ways. If the mite takes the infection from the hemolymph of the adult and delivers it to a larva, what would you call that? From the point of view of the larva, it's certainly a vector. If that mite becomes a passenger on a forager that drifts into a nearby colony and does this trick again....it's still in the vector mode, no? Children bring a lot of infections home. Also be very careful of grandchildren. They are known vectors. Hope your cold gets better. No! Death to the cold! I hope you get better. Dick Marron ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:58:22 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?UTF-8?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: vectors Comments: To: Bill Truesdell Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Judy Chen writes in her extensive chapter on "Honey Bee Viruses" this: > Vector-borne transmission is an indirect route of horizontal transmission and involves an intermediate biological host, a vector, which acquires and transmits viruses from one host to another. > Since the varroa mite has been proven to be an effective vector in transmitting and activating viruses, timely and efficient control of the varroa mite population will reduce the incidence of viral diseases. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:23:40 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: vectors In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="UTF-8"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Judy Chen said: > Since the varroa mite has been proven to be an effective vector in transmitting and activating viruses, timely and efficient control of the varroa mite population will reduce the incidence of viral diseases. I have said over and over on bee lists that the key to controlling virus begins with control of mites ( both varroa & tracheal). again: Judy Chen: "timely and efficient control of the varroa mite populations will reduce the incidence of viral diseases" In the Dec. 2007 ABJ pg. 129,130 & 131 ( article by Bob Harrison) you will see hives boiling with bees. Those two beeks run around 10,000 hives. No CCD ever. No PMS. Yet during the same time period widespread losses due to CCD were being reported. These hives are on the move constantly. In orchards close to tens of thousands of bees. These beeks are still running bees without problems. Why? After seeing the success of many migratory beeks still many hobby beeks think large scale migratory beekeeping is the root cause of CCD.( as well as many researchers). Some researchers say all commercial comb is contaminated and all large operations are having trouble but afraid to admit to problems. Simply not so! why? bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:04:49 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Darrell Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <994569.25855.qm@web110704.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v753) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit On 18-Dec-08, at 8:38 PM, Grant Gillard wrote: > Then from mid-July through August, there just ain't much of > anything until Labor Day when the golden rod starts blooming. > > Hi Grant Dan and all Here in my part of southern Ontario our main flow starts the first or second week of July and runs till early August. Goldenrod starts the second week of September. Several years ago I read an article in ABJ describing a modification of the Killion method of comb honey production. All uncapped brood with adhering nurse bees is moved to a new bottom board and combined with the same from another hive and a new queen or queen cell. The capped brood and all remaining bees are contracted into one brood box. The queen is caged with a push in cage over emerging brood. The timing of this manipulation is immediately before the main honey flow in the local area. The author, from the Chicago area, saw the idea as improving honey production as workers have no brood to care for and thus leave to forage early. The foraging force would increase as brood emerged. He also warned about the possibility of swarming as the hive will be crowded. I contacted the author since Dan started this thread to see if he has further data, but he has not had bees for some time. My take on the idea is that the break in brood would reduce varroa, the new split would likely be strong enough for the fall flow and Randy's idea of a queen excluder enclosing a frame instead of a push- in cage is certainly a workable modification. Any experience or comments? Bob Darrell Caledon Ontario Canada 44N(Chicago is 42N)80W ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:03:24 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <003c01c96214$aaa7a030$0501000a@j> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > yet simply cutting out whatever drone brood is there > > on regular inspections appears to help. > > >The problem was that cutting out drone cells assured > that the bees would both replace the cut-out comb area > with drone comb again, and also convert worker cells > to drone cells as a short-term reaction to the sudden > lack of drone brood. I'm sorry for being unclear, Jim! I only cut drone cells out of the drone trap frames the Brian and I were speaking of. We do indeed want the bees to draw replacement drone comb in them. I find that by giving them a place to do so, they don't build it elsewhere. Seeley, in the study that you cited, found the same to be true. > >but feeding drone brood through the capping > stage is "expensive" in both resources and labor. Yes it is. But as Seeley concluded: "Certainly, by steadily killing the drone brood, a beekeeper will reduce the stresses caused by mites and he will reduce the cost of fueling the drones' mating flights. But will the steady removal of drone combs filledwith capped brood erase fully the neg- ative effect of drone comb on a colony's honey yield? The answer to this question awaits further research." There is ample evidence that the presence of varroa at any level will suppress honey production. The question, therefore, is at whether the benefit of a lower varroa level outweighs the cost of the extra drone production. An ancillary question that I have is just how critical is it to remove every round of drone brood produced. A large proportion of the mites in a colony are apparently in the drone brood. Even occasional removal of a frame of drone brood may be enough to outweigh the increased mite reproduction when drone trap frames are allowed to remain in the hive producing drones. I found several colonies in my operation last summer that I had inadvertently left drone trap frames in through the season, without removal, other than twice in the spring. Those colonies did not exhibit higher mite levels than "control" colonies side by side. Indeed, some of them had extremely low mite levels, despite the presence of a drone frame! > > >Another approach to "interrupting the brood cycle" might be > to treat with Oxalic acid in spring/summer, which would kill > most of the open brood along with the varroa. > Seems too draconian to me. I have experimented several times treating colonies with a full oxalic dribble three times at weekly intervals during the late summer. Dr. Marion Ellis has done so also. Neither of us found it to be noticeably stressful to the colonies. Brood rearing continued, and the colonies recovered nicely. Note that this was on colonies that already had high mite infestations, and were thereby already stressed. Despite the multiple oxalic acid treatments, the colonies bounced back. I'm not saying that OA is not stressful to a colony--there is plenty of evidence that it is. However, there are times when it is far less stressful than a high varroa load. Most respectfully yours, Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:30:19 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Erin Martin Subject: Re: New sweetner, calorie free Rebenia In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Stevia is a natural, calorie free sugar substitute, derived > from the leaves > of the stevia plant scientifically known as Stevia > Rebaudiana Bertoni. Yes, but as the website will have you know, Rebenia is not stevia. http://www.allaboutrebiana.com/rebiana_vs_stevia.html It's natural insofar as it's derived from the stevia plant, but it's a Coca-Cola alteration with the natural-ness to make it marketable. (Stevia has, in my opinion, a strong and unpleasant taste on its own.) Browsing the website doesn't mention how is the stevia's alteration is chemical to make Rebenia, so it may not be entirely natural by the time it's transformed into the final product. While the site does inform about rigorous scientific testing done on the product, it is important to consider that it may not be as natural as Coca Cola would like you to think. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:21:49 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <003c01c96214$aaa7a030$0501000a@j> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi All Jim gives a synopsis of much that I have heard of the way that US beeks treat drone brood. It seems to me that drones are treated as 'unnecessary' or at least a nuisance. > The problem was that cutting out drone cells assured > that the bees would both replace the cut-out comb area > with drone comb again, and also convert worker cells > to drone cells as a short-term reaction to the sudden > lack of drone brood. Jim describes accurately what happens in hives where an inadequate number of drone cells are available. > The bees really want that drone brood. Yes, and they will only be content with between 16% and 27% drone cells available. > So, the long term impact of cutting out drone brood is > going to be a colony with more and more drone cells, > prompting more cutting, drifting in a slow spiral > towards having a significant fraction of drone comb. But once that significant fraction is actually reached they should be satisfied and not over-produce drone cells. Although the resulting frames may look scruffy to those that dis-encourage drones. > feeding drone brood through the capping > stage is "expensive" in both resources and labor. I have no argument here, the resources are required and can be measured (the amount of pollen required is staggering), but if the colony as a whole is examined, there is less of a shortfall than the drone brood raised would indicate, there is a degree of compensation in work rate as the bees seem to raise drones more willingly. Apart from number of drone cells per hive, the placement of patches of drone cells and size of patch seem to be important to the bees, although bees can be forced to produce whole frames of comb containing mainly drone cells, they never do so naturally, there is a logic to the patchy nature of drone comb, such that an expanding brood nest comes to encompass and use the patches as and when they have expanded to the right degree to need them. This can be used by breeders to good effect to artificially increase drone numbers. -- Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY http://melliferabees.net Email: dave.cushman@lineone.net Short FallBack M/c, Build 7.21/2.01 Son of ORAC M/c, Build 5.o1/2.o1 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:26:54 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: Re: vectors In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Thanks to all, but it is interesting that Varroa is a vector while, when I said the same about Tracheal a million years ago, I was corrected, that it was not. Now it is. My guess is if you take the narrowest definition you could say it is not. A broad definition makes any disease carrier a vector. Most definitions of disease vectors address malaria and Lyme disease as examples, since the carrier (mosquito or tick) is immune and the disease is specific. Still, does the mite die from or are they effected by the virus or are they immune? That would be more in keeping with a disease vector. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:37:40 -0300 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Martin Braunstein Subject: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Randy Oliver, With reference to your recent assertion: =ABIn the long run, honey bee = populations on all continents will likely become infested with every bee = parasite on the planet. The trade of bees from one continent to another = expedites that process=BB and your obviosuly painful experience of bee = diseases in the US, please allow me to make a few respectful comments. I understand the word =ABtrade=BB implies legal commerce, in this case = import and export under certain regulations and rules, which of course = can be debated regarding their efficacy. The US border was closed to all bee imports (except some made by = research institutions) from 1922 until 2005. Consequently, there was no = trade at all between the US and the rest of the world. I am not aware of = any legal importation made in your country during this period of 83 = years. However, in the meantime the US was invaded by tracheal mites = (1984), varroa mites (1987), africanized honey bees (1990) and small = hive beetles (1998). All this events predate the opening of the border = to trade, both Australian and New Zealand imports.=20 How dare you blame legal trade for spreading bee diseases? I have the = impression you should have used another set of words. As far as I know, = the spread of diseases, either accidental or purposeful has been = accomplished either by smugglers and/or by pseudoscientists with nice = credentials and plenty or scientific-peer reviewed papers, who brought = in undesirable genetic stock under government distraction. A good = example is the unjustified introduction of Apis mellifera capensis in = many European countries (like Poland and Germany) and the introduction = of African bees in Brazil performed by another =ABscientist=BB back in = 1957. Another awful example, is the breeding ground for small hive beetles in = the UK under the auspices of the Central Science Laboratories (a British = government agency). If I recall well, a couple of years ago a UK lab had = a security breach which made possible the spread of the =ABFoot & = Mouth=BB virus. Hope it is not the same lab taking care of the small = hive beetle now. Sincerely, Martin Braunstein www.malkaqueens.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 07:56:29 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 20/12/2008 12:39:04 GMT Standard Time, dave.cushman@LINEONE.NET writes: although bees can be forced to produce whole frames of comb containing mainly drone cells, they never do so naturally, Not invariably so. I did a Bailey change onto a set of starter strips except for one central sheet of foundation to act as a bridge. Result: 10 combs composed entirely of worker comb and 1 at the end composed entirely of drone. I made the change at the first sign of oilseed rape bloom and so didn't feed. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:29:05 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: van Westendorp report MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 18/12/2008 02:05:06 GMT Standard Time, dickm@SNET.NET writes: It should be noted that the "disease" was not attributed to mites until something like 7 years later And that Rennie (we are talking about Acarapis Woodii (Rennie)) noted that not all 'crawling' bees had the mites and some that appeared healthy did have them. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:10:16 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?UTF-8?Q?Peter_L_Borst?= Subject: Re: vectors Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi Bill, If it seems as if there is no one right answer to this question, that's because there isn't. I can't find any discussion of the effect the virus has on the mites themselves, though it is apparent that viruses multiply in the mites' bodies. The relationship among honeybees, DWV, and Varroa jacobsoni is obviously complex but it is possible to postulate a progression of events on the arrival of the mites in a colony. Having infested a colony, V. jacobsoni will either acquire DWV from naturally infected (but asymptomatic) bees or bring it with them from their previous colony. The viruses may then replicate within the mites and, ultimately, high virus levels of DWV will be transmitted to the brood. Where two or more mother mites enter a cell, only one needs to be carrying virus to cross-infect the other(s) and the offspring by infecting the common food source, i.e., the developing bee. The Transmission of Deformed Wing Virus between Honeybees Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 73, 101–106 (1999) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:31:45 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Chris > whole frames of comb containing mainly > drone cells, they never do so naturally, I made the error of using the word 'never', but such large areas of drone cells in freely built comb are unobserved by me, apart from those drawn on drone foundation. The largest areas of freely built drone cells that I have seen were in fairly shallow top bar comb from cut comb cogs, no obvious reason for them being drone rather than worker, they were single examples that came from the middle region of the box, but I cannot remember exactly what number slot they were in. Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY http://melliferabees.net Email: dave.cushman@lineone.net Short FallBack M/c, Build 7.21/2.01 Son of ORAC M/c, Build 5.o1/2.o1 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:04:02 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Mite tolerance in African bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Why are African bees able to tolerate mites where European bees are not? * Short post capping period fails to limit varroa buildup > The extremely high numbers of varroa mites found in Cape honeybees (>30 000 in some colonies) indicates however, that although the short post-capping period of Cape bees must limit mite population growth to some extent, it is insufficient to prevent mite levels increasing to harmful levels. This data also indicates that the general presence of drone brood for much of the year is crucial to mite population growth. (Allsopp) * African bees have a much shorter lifespan > The short adult longevity of AHB (21 days versus 25–180 days for EHB) as a result of the tropical or sub-tropical climate indicates that >12 000 mites are needed to kill an AHB colony. Therefore, although DWV is present in AHB and A. cerana colonies, mite populations stabilize at levels well below that required to kill the colony. > The constant production of worker brood and reduced adult longevity of AHB under tropical conditions reduce the transmission of the virus between adult bees and brood. Therefore the size of the mite population needed to kill an AHB colony will be greater than that required to kill an EHB colony. > It is still important that the tolerance mechanism which is operating in AHB be fully understood, since this is the only race of A. mellifera known to be tolerant to Varroa which has had such a devastating affect on all other races of A. mellifera. -- Africanized honeybees have unique tolerance to Varroa mites Stephen J. Martin and Luis M. Medina TRENDS in Parasitology Vol.20 No.3 March 2004 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:21:06 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: Re: vectors In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline On Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 9:10 AM, Peter L Borst wrote: > Hi Bill, > If it seems as if there is no one right answer to this question, Agree. It really gets into semantics since there is agreement as to what is happening. It would be interesting to see what a medical specialist would call it. My guess is vector, since it does meet the general criteria. Another interesting point you brought up is the "viruses may then replicate within the mite". Wonder how this happens since it would need to use the mites cells, so the mites would be infected and would not be a passive carrier. So they may be affected by the virus. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:25:23 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Andrew Johnston Subject: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Dave Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. Two years ago I started to try and trap varroa in drone comb by a german method, eg. place an empty frame, no foundation or starter strip at the back or last but one. In my case 16"x10" frames. I had no trouble getting the bees to draw a perfect frame of drone and fill it with brood, I have done this three times between mid April and late May. After May they only draw half way then put honey in it. Each time I remove a comb I give another empty frame. I have never seen a single mite in any of these combs, by June last year I had 4 x 25liter buckets of uncapped drone comb to burn.(I don't keep chickens). There is a small amount of natualy converted drone comb in the hive. Both my Seasonal bee inspector and a retired freind who was apiarist at Rothhampstead for twenty + years said they had never seen anything like it! I am comming to the conclusion it must be a timing thing, but so far I have no solution. Just to confound all of this, a freind caught a swarm but was a frame of foundation short so I gave him a drawn drone comb and placed it one space in from the front, when the drone comb was capped we uncapped it and surprise it was crawling with mites, three or more to a cell. Regards Andy ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:42:52 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Aaron Morris Subject: FW: [BEE-L] vectors MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable From: Dave Burrup [mailto:dkburp@frontiernet.net] Sent: Sat 2008.12.20 11:05 the virus may not be replicating in the mite, the mite may only be = moving the viral phage from one bee to another. Bee mites are not the only = mites capable of vectoring disease. Spider mites and curl mites move = diseases around in wheat plants. Aphids, not a mite, transmit a whole host of diseases to a wide assortment of crop and non-crop plants. Dave ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:04:08 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <494CE35D.3040701@lineone.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=response Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dave wrote: >Yes and they will only be content with between 16% and 27% drone cells >available. content? Not a word commercial beeks use. All my beekeeping I have tried to keep drone production per hive down to the 10% level. Not sure how *content* the bees are but healthy and thriving for sure. However it may be that a single hive on a location might prefer the numbers Dave wrote but my yard hive numbers are usually 24 (or higher) and because the drones drift between hives might be the reason the hives are *content* in my operations. In fall if I have a queenless hive in a yard I will find all the drones the other hives have tossed out. 10% of 60,000 bees from 23 hives all in one spot. Quite a skeptical. You can almost see the fear in their eyes! Disorganization rules the scene. Several times in my life I have felt the wrath of the female of the human species. Tossed from my warm home and forced to find another place to call home( all but once lasted only a couple days ). Once I (like the drones) felt I was going to freeze before a buddy took me in until her wrath subsided. bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:48:03 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: randy oliver Subject: Re: Trade of bees In-Reply-To: <002801c962a8$26f97440$c5570cba@useraca880810b> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > > >How dare you blame legal trade for spreading bee diseases? I was not blaming anyone. I was simply stating a biological fact. Any movement of organisms, whether legal or illegal, eventually results is the movement of their parasites. The less movement of organisms across oceans, the less movement of the associated parasites. The view that we will eventually spread all parasites to all continents is fatalistic, but is supported by history. My point is that we don't need to accelerate the process. Randy Oliver ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:35:17 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: John & Christy Horton Subject: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Martin, Your comments about Randys remarks were I felt really off the mark, and contained an implied fatalism. You quoted Randy: : How dare you blame legal trade for spreading bee diseases? First , please reread his post..Unless I have missed something , I didnt see that he was laying all the blame at the feet of "free trade". Now, you went on to cite instances of well meaning people actually importing organisms that actually caused harm. Really , this reasoning could be applied to "well meaning" people importing organisms based on profit rather than research motivations. Of all the authors I have read on Bee-L, Randy is certainly very competent, and rates right at the top-in my mind- in evaluating beekeeping practices in an objective light. He seems to try to let the facts speak for themselves without putting his own spin on things. I dont know him personally, but most of his comments I would categorize as being from the point of view of one who doesnt "have a dog in the fight". One thing I have read that let me know that he saw things in a different and I believe sobering light,were his comments on the tremendous number of species that (the fossil record shows) are no longer with us, as well as the extinctions documented over the last two hundred years or so-I think the numbers are in the 100's of thousands of species........ many extinctions have resulted from mankinds refusal to take "the long view". Mankind certainly has a powerful role to play in preventing the spread of disease, and "free trade" needs to be a tool in this role. One cannot simply say because men have broken import/export laws or misapplied research via importation of pests-and this is where your response to Randy is off the mark-that free trade is automatically exonerated from all contributions to spreading diseases. This also doesn't mean we should blame "free trade", or stop all importations.. Being a queen breeder,it is "human" to have sensitivity to anything that smacks of "anti- free trade". Sincerely, John Horton ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:13:48 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I find that by giving them a place to do so > [draw drone cells], they don't build it elsewhere. The interesting thing is that when you cut out all that drone comb, they DO make ad-hoc drone cells elsewhere, rather than waiting for the comb to be re-drawn. The sudden lack of drone brood in spring prompts the bees to convert empty worker cells to drone cells. They are not going to politely wait for the drone frame to be drawn out again, now are they? No - drones are as important to the colony's agenda as swarming is. The folks who freeze and reinsert drone frames won't see the problem, as the bees go right to work removing the dead drone brood, and re-use those same drone cells. So your report is something that I would consider very unusual bee behavior. Also, as one gets further into summer, I'd expect less and less interest in re-drawing the cut-out drone frame, and more re-use of wax to rework existing worker cells into drone cells. > Seeley, in the study that you cited, found the > same to be true. No, Seeley never removed any drone comb at all. What he found was that colonies given 4 frames of drone foundation did not draw any additional drone comb in the "worker" frames. But those combs were never removed during the study period. > There is ample evidence that the presence of > varroa at any level will suppress honey production. The classic case of the best honey-producing colonies being the ones that crash on Labor Day tends to refute that correlation, so I'm not so sure that varroa can be blamed for poor crops. I've always found that honey crops track the weather, while colony survival tracks varroa level. Also, Seeley said in the paper "I found no such correlation between the rankings of colonies according to their mite levels and honey yields." It is clear that when varroa levels are high, colonies crash, and crashing colonies consume their stores rather than bringing home more groceries, but I've found that Nosema was a bigger issue for "poor crops" than any other disease/pest issue. Nosema tracked lower hive weight every time, except for cases where hives went queenless at the bloom, and this was merely Nosema apis. If it was as easy as "varroa reduces crops" one could look at pounds per hive at first pull of honey, and make treatment decisions based solely upon pounds harvested versus the mean for colonies of equivalent size. But it isn't that simple, even if you look at data from all three pulls of supers, and go back and look at the outliers on both ends of the bell curve. > An ancillary question that I have is just how > critical is it to remove every round of drone > brood produced. I call drone frames "varroa hand grenades". Hold on to them too long, and they go boom. :) > I found several colonies in my operation last summer that > I had inadvertently left drone trap frames in through the > season, without removal, other than twice in the spring. > Those colonies did not exhibit higher mite levels than > "control" colonies side by side. Indeed, some of them had > extremely low mite levels, despite the presence of a drone frame! This is another very unusual report. How dry was the weather? I might understand if all colonies had low mite levels and the air humidity had been really dry. (I'm assuming here that the drone frame was being used for drone brood rather than for stores, which is something another guy sent me a photo of for my collection of "bees do the strangest things" pix.) ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:08:45 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: =?windows-1252?Q?Steve_Noble?= Subject: Mite tolerance in African bees Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Peter Borst mentioned the following as likely reasons for Varroa tolerance in African honeybees. * Short post capping period fails to limit varroa buildup * African bees have a much shorter lifespan Peter, What about the fact that AHB swarm much more frequently than EHB there by interrupting the brood cycle frequently and making build up of varroa more difficult? Steve Noble ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:50:46 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Richard Stewart Subject: Re: Trade of bees In-Reply-To: <002801c962a8$26f97440$c5570cba@useraca880810b> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v929.2) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > How dare you blame legal trade for spreading bee diseases? We will lose 12% of our natural hardwoods over the next 20 years here in our county because of the Emerald Ash Borer. As far as anyone knows it was brought here, from Asia, to Canada, and then to the United States via LEGAL trade. THe theory is that it came over via cargo skids used to transport legally traded goods. The easier and quicker you can transport goods the more likely it is that we will see transmission of almost any variety of pest, disease, virus, and the like... ...be they bees or bananas. Richard Stewart Carriage House Farm North Bend, Ohio An Ohio Century Farm Est. 1855 (513) 967-1106 http://www.carriagehousefarmllc.com rstewart@zoomtown.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:39:39 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Michael Palmer Subject: Re: Trade of bees In-Reply-To: <9C73FC1F-E7B0-40BB-BDA6-4D232F054C8D@zoomtown.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed > We will lose 12% of our natural hardwoods over the next 20 years here >in our county because of the Emerald Ash Borer. > >As far as anyone knows it was brought here, from Asia, to Canada, and >then to the United States via LEGAL trade. THe theory is that it came >over via cargo skids used to transport legally traded goods. Well, yes. The goods were legally imported. Trouble is with the skids. They were illegal. It's illegal to use skids made from green wood to transport goods into this country. Let see...Honey, royal jelly, prawns and salmon with chloramphenicol, pet food and baby formula with melamine, toothpaste with ethylene glycol, toys with high lead content, and pallets made from green wood containing Emerald Ash Borers and Asian Long Horned Beetles. And I just wanna buy a pair of boots made in the US. Mike ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:25:14 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: James Fischer Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit >> So, the long term impact of cutting out drone brood is >> going to be a colony with more and more drone cells, >> prompting more cutting, drifting in a slow spiral >> towards having a significant fraction of drone comb. > But once that significant fraction is actually reached > they should be satisfied and not over-produce drone cells. Yeah, and what do you have at that point? You have the frame used for "varroa control by drone brood removal" AND you have all the other drone cells spread hither and yon about the brood nest. For a "two-deeps" broodnest, one has one frame of 20 (5%) dedicated to drone brood comb, and another 1.1 to 2.2 frames of drone brood spread amongst the other frames to get to Dave Cushman's 16% to 27%. So much for "varroa control", unless you start scrapping comb left and right. If we are to buy into such large percentages of drone brood being "normal", maybe the problem is that one needs multiple drone frames per brood chamber for a more effective varroa-control scheme. For the "two-deeps" hive, one needs 3, 4, or 5 frames of the drone brood frames? That really sounds excessive! For those who use the green plastic Perico frames that Larry Connor waves at us threateningly in lectures, those who scrape off the drone comb, rather than freeze the comb might see the same problem, as bees just hate to draw out those frames. I can report that the freezing approach tends to not result in anywhere near the level of ad-hoc drone cells, but I can also report that women are really picky about finding even well-wrapped frames of drone comb in the deep freeze. And no, you can't lie to them that it is comb honey - they know when you pull supers 'cause you complain too much about how hard you work when you pull supers. ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:55:07 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bob Harrison Subject: Re: Trade of bees In-Reply-To: <9C73FC1F-E7B0-40BB-BDA6-4D232F054C8D@zoomtown.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=response Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Richard wrote: > The easier and quicker you can transport goods the more likely it is that > we will see transmission of almost any variety of pest, disease, virus, > and the like... I agree however as was pointed out in an earlier post some new arrivals are a benefit. We are now seeing what happens when we allow the rest of the world to do our manufacturing for us. A constant abundance of overseas containers enroute to our shores. Many of these sit at point of origin with open doors for days while being loaded. All manor of species are imported. In Miami, Florida these are stacked high for miles due to the fact it is cheaper to sell for steel rather than return to China. Brazilian Pepper is out of control in Florida and is a wonderful honey plant. Efforts to eradicate were a dismal failure. Has been a tremendous boon for beeks. If you look at the article which I did for the American Bee journal ( November 2005 pg. 899) you will see another boon for beekeepers in the making. The weed is now in over five states ( several states on both coasts) and out of control in Oregon. The weed is a water white honey producing weed which covers over a million acres in Australia. Some call the week "Paterson's Curse" after Mrs. Patterson which some say imported the beautiful purple weed for her garden around a 100 years ago. Over a million acres covered in a 100 years. I traced the source of Paterson's Curse back to imported bird seed. Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane" as crops of water white honey ( 8-10 on the Pfund scale). To get an idea of colors on the pfund scale (used by packers which ALWAYS fight over water white honey which is used to make dark bakery grade honey lighter) White is 17-34 and extra light amber is 34-50 Amber is 85-114. Quite a bit of Argentine honey arrives in the high end of amber. The normal packer *cut* for dark amber is two drums high end white mixed with 8 drums of amber. The same color could be had with *one* drum of "Salvation Jane". "Salvation Jane" ( E. plantagineum) Is very very drought resistant which will be a boon for California beeks which have been fighting drought in many areas the last few years. In Australia yields of honey from "Salvation Jane" over 200 pounds are common. Failure of honey crops from from "Salvation Jane" in Australia are rare. Last century beeks were accused of importing the dreaded thistle. Thistle is called thistle in Missouri but in some areas thistle is called "Chapman's Honey Plant" for the beek blamed for the import. I have not get thistle on my farm. Many spray after the seeds have set which is a waste of time. I go into the pastures and cut the tops off the plant and burn the tops in a burn barrel. Much more effective than killing a plant which has already set seed. bob ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:24:52 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Bill T Subject: Re: FW: [BEE-L] vectors In-Reply-To: <6999718ED3E19D4AA061F73254EEA3414BA0B0@UAEXCH.univ.albany.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline On Sat, Dec 20, 2008 at 11:42 AM, Aaron Morris wrote: > From: Dave Burrup [mailto:dkburp@frontiernet.net] > Sent: Sat 2008.12.20 11:05 > > the virus may not be replicating in the mite, the mite may only be moving > the viral phage from one bee to another. (snip) Aphids, not a mite, > transmit a whole host of > diseases to a wide assortment of crop and non-crop plants. But virus do replicate in aphids. Also, the lifespan of the virus can be very short or long in the aphid, depending on the disease. So we seem to be just guessing about Varroa, unless someone has actually looked. I wait for Peter to straighten us out. Bill Truesdell Bath, Maine ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:17:26 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Re: vectors MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit In this article, the authors show that virus does replicate in mites and when it does, it is far more damaging to the colony > We analysed individual mites collected from freshly-hatched crippled and asymptomatic bees. All mites collected were strongly positive for DWV. Analysis of virus replication revealed that all mites collected from crippled bees contained considerable amounts of actively replicating virus. In contrast, virus replication in mites collected from asymptomatic bees was not detectable. > We provide correlative evidence that virus replication in mites is related to the development of wing deformity. Our data presented show for the first time that virus replication in mites correlates with viral virulence. Furthermore, our data suggest that an important factor influencing the outcome of Varroa infestation is the proportion of DWV-transmitting mites in the mite population infesting a hive. RT-PCR analysis of Deformed wing virus in honeybees (Apis mellifera) and mites (Varroa destructor) Constanze Yue and Elke Genersch Journal of General Virology (2005), 86, 3419–3424 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:05:53 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: ALDEN MARSHALL Subject: Drone Brood Removal MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=Windows-1252; reply-type=original Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Assuming one does not wish to remove drone brood the full season, once the brood removal cycle is completed and the bees are allowed to raise drones to maturity it can be difficult to encourage the colony to raise drones for removal at a later date. At this time the population of drones is likely to be satisfactory so they are less inclined to continue. Also if the drone frame is left in it will often be filled with honey. > feeding drone brood through the capping > stage is "expensive" in both resources and labor. My experience leads me to believe that the health and morale of the hive more than make up for it in production. I would like to hear of other experiences. Alden Marshall Hudson, NH ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:03:42 +0900 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Detchon Subject: Pattersons Curse honey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=response Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob posted >The weed is a water white honey producing weed which covers over a million >acres in Australia. Some call the weed "Paterson's Curse" after Mrs. >Patterson which some say imported the beautiful purple weed for her garden >around a 100 years ago. Over a million acres covered in a 100 years. > > I traced the source of Paterson's Curse back to imported bird seed. > > Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane" as crops > of water white honey ( 8-10 on the Pfund scale). Be very wary of this plant. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which are extremely toxic, and hepatotoxic to grazing animals, particularly horses and cattle, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterson%27s_curse . Much controversy has occurred here as to the real danger of Pattersons Curse honey, but for my money, even very low levels of these toxins in honey are to be avoided because of their cumulative nature. See especially http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/newsroom/factsheets/factsheets2004/consumersadvisedtoli2347.cfm. However I think the presence of PAs in Comfrey tea,which has proved to be equally contentious as a health hazard, is in fact a much more serious hazard to human health (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfrey Despite the controversy, our principal Govt research agency CSIRO, eventually won through a battle in the courts, and a number of biological control agents were introduced to deal with the infestations of this plant. These have certainly had a big impact on the plant here in Western Australia which I believe is now much more manageable. Sounds like you guys might have to do something similar? Peter Detchon Western Australia ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 22:49:23 +1100 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Geoff Manning Subject: Re: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Harrison" > Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane" Actually graziers called it 'Salvation Jane', as despite being somewhat toxic (pyrrolizidine alkaloids), it can be useful fodder in extreme circumstances. So your livestock owner colleagues may not be all that impressed. > "Salvation Jane" ( E. plantagineum) Is very very drought resistant which > will be a boon for California beeks which have been fighting drought in > many areas the last few years. Well, yes and no. The plant is drought tolerant as befits a plant from the Mediterranean. It grows in the winter rainfall areas and needs rain at the right time to produce a honey crop, something that has been short on here for some time. Even with rain grass competition can knock the crop. > Failure of honey crops from from "Salvation Jane" in Australia are rare. Not all that rare, see above. What it also has though is high protein pollen, around 30%, slightly down on iso-leucine, but you can't have everything. Arguably it is this pollen that is its main benefit to the industry. Geoff Manning ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:32:05 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Mike Griggs Subject: Re: Vectors In-Reply-To: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v930.3) Subject: Re: vectors Still, does the mite die from or are they effected by the virus or are they immune? That would be more in keeping with a disease vector. Bill, I have speculated that perhaps what we really need to breed in bees is mite tolerance & resistance to virus infection/disease. The way that diseases, virus, are vectored by insects to other animals or plants can be very complex. Simply put the virus can either be physically moved from point a to b or the virus may infect (at some level) the vector and undergoing changes before returning to the host. Virus can be taken up by the vector and and pass through the gut where the particles move through the insect (or mite) hemolymph and can then be sequestered in a gland. At this point the virus could undergo changes during multiplication. Then it reinfects the host on the next feed along with a glandular exudate. Think the salivary exudate injected during a mosquito bite to reduce coagulation & prevent the host from feeling a bite. The virus in this later case may get vector genetics to help it survive/multiply in the vector without being acted on by the immune system . These changes could either reduce or increase the effect on the target host. As for definitions. The best known & therefor most used examples are human borne diseases from mosquitos or flies. When you delve into virology of insects, bacteria, plants it becomes a very specialized field with less well known classes of virus & virus life cycles less well elucidated. There are some general trends but some really weird stuff hapens in the virus world. Defining life cycles of virus is very tedious, mostly because virus particles are so small. I remember a plant virology course & lab that taught me that I did not want to be a virologist! Anyone know of a virologist working on the life cycle of these virus? IAPV? Working with virus in mites? Additionally, I have not heard much on the negative impact of the salivary gland exudates from the mites causing immune system crash in bees. As the mites feed they spit up an exudate that assists their feeding--this apparently allows otherwise non-infective microbes a chance to against the host immune system and thereby causing infections that ordinarily would not happen. Mike ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:58:39 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Mike Griggs Subject: Re: Movement = spread of (invasive) species In-Reply-To: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v930.3) > > I was not blaming anyone. I was simply stating a biological fact. > Any > movement of organisms, whether legal or illegal, eventually results > is the > movement of their parasites. Randy, I was just at an invasive species conference. One of the presenters had several line charts showing the number of (identified) invasives found in US ports by year. He then laid over this main means of transportation (boat, plane etc). The rate of invasive finds greatly increased as the rate of transportation. So in the era of sailing boats there were few--add in airplanes & the rate dramatically increased. add in container ships & air transportation &........ The fact is that the number of unwanted, invasive, non-native introductions increase with amount of world trade & the ease of world transportation. Thats why we have gotten three nasties in the last 20 years & just the usual suspects (AFB, EFB, some of the Apis m. brood diseases) the preceding 140 years (1850-1990). With the amount of manufacturing goods coming from Asia there is no one surprised at the number of invasive (plants, insects, microbes) coming here quickly from that part of the world. Move enough stuff from one place on earth to another fast enough & your bound to move something you don't want. Quarantines are only supposed to reduce the risk they cannot not prevent it. But once you have what you don't want?????? My two cents Mike ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:22:06 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <494D0E63.10600@waitrose.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Andy > I had no trouble getting the bees to draw a perfect frame of drone and > fill it with brood, I have done this three times between mid April and > late May. I am not suggesting that this is difficult, but when have you seen full combs of drone cells without beekeeper intervention ? It is a bit surprising that you did not trap any varroa though as your hived swarm indicates it normally acts like a magnet for varroa. Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY http://melliferabees.net Email: dave.cushman@lineone.net Short FallBack M/c, Build 7.21/2.01 Son of ORAC M/c, Build 5.o1/2.o1 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 16:47:20 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Dave Cushman Subject: Re: Timing the interruption of the brood cycle to reduce Varroa. In-Reply-To: <5CABF3F7592040379DB7E519468EA6F7@bobPC> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi Bob > However it may be that a single hive on a location might prefer the > numbers Dave wrote Not my numbers, the figures came from a US study in US with US bees in US yards (I thought the work was done by Tom Seely, but my googling has not found it). The figures that I normally quote are between 12% and 23% > In fall if I have a queenless hive in a yard I will find all the drones > the other hives have tossed out. 10% of 60,000 bees from 23 hives all in > one spot. This maybe due to the Italian blood although I dislike making anthropomorphic statements about bees. Not a phenomena I have ever witnessed myself. Although I have seen many freshly raised drones in hives of queens that exhibit queenright supersedure during October. Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY http://melliferabees.net Email: dave.cushman@lineone.net Short FallBack M/c, Build 7.21/2.01 Son of ORAC M/c, Build 5.o1/2.o1 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:18:36 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Pattersons Curse honey MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Echium vulgare, (Viper's Bugloss) is said to have got to Australia by the seeds becoming entangled with the fleece of Dorset Horm (and maybe also Dorset Down) sheep exported to Oz to improve the stock. It is fairly common on Portland whence I have just returned from dosing my bees with oxalic. I saw a drone in one hive! Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:00:43 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 18/12/2008 23:12:25 GMT Standard Time, bathbeekeeper@GMAIL.COM writes: Appreciate the corrections. Wonder now if virus were also in Tracheal. But then, maybe leave that so the universe stays in balance. I asked Norman Carreck that a couple of years ago and, as far as I remember, his reply was something to the effect that there was no proven connection. The conditions (overcrowding - too many hives in one place) that favour the one also favour the other. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 11:04:36 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Mike Stoops Subject: Drones (Rply) and red pollen MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I am in LA, Lower Alabama - actually southwest Alabama.=A0 Yesterday and th= e previous week I have been observing my bees bringing in pollen.=A0 What w= as unusual was that some of it was a bright red pollen.=A0 I know that Henb= it and Mustard are blooming, but the only think I know of that that produce= s red pollen is Red Maple.=A0=A0 Usually that doesn't start blooming around= here until mid or late January.=A0 Anybody on the llist have any ideas abo= ut this? Mike in LA --- On Sun, 12/21/08, Chris Slade wrote: ............ common on=A0 Portland whence I have just returned from dosing = my bees with oxalic.=A0 I=A0 saw a drone in one hive! =20 Chris =0A=0A=0A ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:14:56 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 19/12/2008 13:47:41 GMT Standard Time, waldig@NETZERO.NET writes: It's conceivable managed colonies may have no choice but go the cerana way then. Other than possibly hurt sentiment, I am not sure of all the pros and cons of such a change-over. I am told that the honey is indistinguishable outside a laboratory (but honey judges might not agree!); however the reason that Mellifera and Cerana became mixed enabling transfer of pests was that Mellifera tends to be more productive than Cerana, hence the incentive to move Mellifera in to Cerana areas. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:44:26 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable =20 In a message dated 20/12/2008 12:59:55 GMT Standard Time, =20 reinasmalka@GMAIL.COM writes: Another awful example, is the breeding ground for small hive beetles in the= =20 UK under the auspices of the Central Science Laboratories (a British gover nment agency). If I recall well, a couple of years ago a UK lab had a secur= ity =20 breach which made possible the spread of the =ABFoot & Mouth=BB virus. Hope=20= it is=20 not the same lab taking care of the small hive beetle now. The Central Science Laboratory is at York about 300 miles north of Pirbrigh= t=20 whence the F & M escaped. The SHB are kept secure and I am told that one=20 has to walk through a refrigerated corridor to reach them. Nevertheless on= e=20 would be happier if the CSL had a branch offshore! =20 Chris=20 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:03:32 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 20/12/2008 20:12:37 GMT Standard Time, rstewart@ZOOMTOWN.COM writes: The easier and quicker you can transport goods the more likely it is that we will see transmission of almost any variety of pest, disease, virus, and the like... Near Kilkenny in Ireland a house builder opened a sealed pack of cedar shingles to roof a building and was surprised when some large bees emerged and flew. I guess that they were some form of 'carpenter bee' that had pupated in the timber during the journey across the Atlantic from, I think, Canada. Is this the start of a problem? Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:24:11 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Drones (Rply) and red pollen MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 21/12/2008 19:06:43 GMT Standard Time, mws1112004@YAHOO.COM writes: I know of that that produces red pollen is Red Maple. Do you have any Mullein (verbascum) or Red Deadnettle (Lamium purpureum? Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalus) pollen in pinkish. Wrong time of year for Lupins or Horse chestnut (aesculus). Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:26:30 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Richard Stewart Subject: Re: Trade of bees In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v929.2) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bob I am not judging the benefit vs cost, just that it does transmissions/ invasions happen, legally or illegally. While some invasive species have helped bees I would argue that the dangers to bees have eliminated any benefit we might eek out of a species let loose in an environment unprepared for it or with no natural enemies. It is, usually quite rare to find a beneficial species that is invasive. Richard Stewart Carriage House Farm North Bend, Ohio An Ohio Century Farm Est. 1855 (513) 967-1106 http://www.carriagehousefarmllc.com rstewart@zoomtown.com On Dec 20, 2008, at 5:55 PM, Bob Harrison wrote: > Richard wrote: >> The easier and quicker you can transport goods the more likely it >> is that we will see transmission of almost any variety of pest, >> disease, virus, and the like... > > I agree however as was pointed out in an earlier post some new > arrivals are a benefit. We are now seeing what happens when we allow > the rest of the world to do our manufacturing for us. A constant > abundance of overseas containers enroute to our shores. Many of > these sit at point of origin with open doors for days while being > loaded. All manor of species are imported. In Miami, Florida these > are stacked high for miles due to the fact it is cheaper to sell for > steel rather than return to China. > > Brazilian Pepper is out of control in Florida and is a wonderful > honey plant. Efforts to eradicate were a dismal failure. Has been a > tremendous boon for beeks. > > If you look at the article which I did for the American Bee journal > ( November 2005 pg. 899) you will see another boon for beekeepers in > the making. The weed is now in over five states ( several states on > both coasts) and out of control in Oregon. The weed is a water > white honey producing weed which covers over a million acres in > Australia. Some call the week "Paterson's Curse" after Mrs. > Patterson which some say imported the beautiful purple weed for her > garden around a 100 years ago. Over a million acres covered in a 100 > years. > > I traced the source of Paterson's Curse back to imported bird seed. > > Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane" as > crops of water white honey ( 8-10 on the Pfund scale). To get an > idea of colors on the pfund scale (used by packers which ALWAYS > fight over water white honey which is used to make dark bakery grade > honey lighter) White is 17-34 and extra light amber is 34-50 Amber > is 85-114. > Quite a bit of Argentine honey arrives in the high end of amber. The > normal packer *cut* for dark amber is two drums high end white mixed > with 8 drums of amber. The same color could be had with *one* drum > of "Salvation Jane". > > "Salvation Jane" ( E. plantagineum) Is very very drought resistant > which will be a boon for California beeks which have been fighting > drought in many areas the last few years. In Australia yields of > honey from "Salvation Jane" over 200 pounds are common. > > Failure of honey crops from from "Salvation Jane" in Australia are > rare. > > Last century beeks were accused of importing the dreaded thistle. > Thistle is called thistle in Missouri but in some areas thistle is > called "Chapman's Honey Plant" for the beek blamed for the import. I > have not get thistle on my farm. Many spray after the seeds have set > which is a waste of time. I go into the pastures and cut the tops > off the plant and burn the tops in a burn barrel. Much more > effective than killing a plant which has already set seed. > > bob > ******************************************************* > * Search the BEE-L archives at: * > * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * > ******************************************************* ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:34:15 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Gavin Ramsay Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi Chris and All > .... hence the incentive to move Mellifera in to Cerana areas. Yes, just last Tuesday I was chatting to beekeeping researchers in Tamil Nadu in southern India (you're going to allow me this little bit of showing off, aren't you, moderators?!) who were telling me that A. mellifera (Italians) was tried in their area and were productive but just couldn't withstand the pressure of pests and diseases from A. cerana and so the local beekeepers have reverted to A. cerana. The A. cerana boxes were like mating nucs with supers on and, following the example of my hosts, I turned down the offer of a veil and went native, as they say, for the first time. They were as calm as anything in the late afternoon gloom. Just a couple of hundred metres away was a tree with a couple of dozen A. dorsata nests, single combs in the open, hanging from branches. The researchers were trying to persuade honey harvesters to slice out a sideways V-shaped portion of the honey above the brood but leave the main part of the comb hanging to allow the colony to recover. There had been a spate of desertions of this migratory species in this tree lately, suspected to be prompted by the predation of the 15 or so bee-eaters harassing them. I wonder if A. dorsata has pests of its own that might yet or perhaps already have jumped species? > I am told that the honey is indistinguishable outside a laboratory The different honeys from different bee species (including stingless bees, also on show) and different areas in India have distinct medicinal properties and are highly valued for them. I was offered A. dorsata honey to taste in the Indian way (pour onto palm of hand and lick up with the tip of the tongue) and I have to say that it had a delicious chestnut-like base but with aromatic overtones. Very nice. all the best Gavin ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:02:43 +1300 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter Bray Subject: Re: Movement = spread of (invasive) species In-Reply-To: <2C5338EF-6517-4A7E-893F-1178B0040CC4@cornell.edu> MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT New Zealand is one of the more unique parts of the World for biodiversity and the impact of humans and trade. This article from 2000 is well worth the read on this score..... first article in the PDF. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/publications/biosecurity- magazine/issue-17/biosecurity-17.pdf "since the early 1800s, one new plant species has become naturalized in the Auckland region every 80 days." Regards, Peter Bray_________________________________________________________ Airborne Honey Ltd., Pennington St, PO Box 28, Leeston, New Zealand Fax 64-3-324-3236, Phone 64-3-324-3569 http://www.airborne.co.nz peter@airborne.co.nz ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:25:39 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Walter Zimmermann Subject: Drones in hives at this time of year MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Chris Slade <CSlade777@AOL.COM> ( Pattersons Curse honey) wrote: I? saw a? drone in one hive! I also have seen drones kicking around at this time of year and so have many of my beekeeping buddies anyone got any ideas to share why Walter Ontario ________________________________________________________________________ New Music Releases - Free Full CD Listening Parties Every Week. Listen Now. http://music.aol.ca/full-cd-listening-party/?icid=AOLMUS00050000000045 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:32:34 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 21/12/2008 21:27:53 GMT Standard Time, gavinrbox-beel@YAHOO.CO.UK writes: The researchers were trying to persuade honey harvesters to slice out a sideways V-shaped portion of the honey above the brood but leave the main part of the comb hanging to allow the colony to recover. Does gravity cause any problems to users of this technique? Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:49:46 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Drones in hives at this time of year MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 21/12/2008 22:45:11 GMT Standard Time, littlewolfbees@AOL.COM writes: anyone got any ideas to share why Insurance. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:14:38 -0800 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Mike Stoops Subject: Re: Drones (Rply) and red pollen MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable The Red Deadnettle to which you were referring is called Henbit down here, = and that is what we have blooming right now.=A0 Dollars to donuts, that is = where the red pollen source is.=A0=A0 Thanks Mike in LA --- On Sun, 12/21/08, Chris Slade wrote: Do you have any Mullein (verbascum) or Red Deadnettle (Lamium=A0 purpureum?= =A0=20 =0A=0A=0A ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:30:03 EST Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Chris Slade Subject: Re: Drones (Rply) and red pollen MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 21/12/2008 23:23:07 GMT Standard Time, mws1112004@YAHOO.COM writes: The Red Deadnettle to which you were referring is called Henbit down here: which explains why Latin names are useful in botany. Chris ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:35:59 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: Vectors and Trade of Bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Clearly, the increasing prevalence of bee diseases – with a significant role of bee viruses – contributes to the current decline in honey bee populations. Some bee viruses may depend on Nosema. Black Queen Cell Virus does not readily multiply when ingested by young worker larvae or when fed alone to young adult bees. The virus was totally dependent on N. apis for infection of adult bees by ingestion and shortened their life more than that of adult bees infected only with the parasite (Bailey et al., 1983a). Continue to horizon scan for other pests and diseases. Many thought that Varroa was the last great threat to world apiculture but then Aethina came to dinner. We must not take our eyes off the ball. The huge level of colony losses in Spain reportedly caused by Nosema ceranae is another example. Who would have predicted these? Whether we like it or not, global trade in bees and their commodities is a reality. The risks both in terms of animal health, food safety and biodiversity can be reduced with better compliance from industry ... education and extension programmes in partnership with beekeeping organisations can play a major role in this area. from: Virology and the Honey Bee edited by Michel AUBERT, Brenda BALL, Ingemar FRIES, Robin MORITZ, Norberto MILANI and Iris BERNARDINELLI 2008 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:46:43 -0500 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Peter L Borst Subject: The problem with Apis cerana MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline > The main problem in modern beekeeping with Apis cerana is that after transferring the Apis cerana colonies from traditional hives into the modern hives they immediately absconded. Apis cerana stores little amount of surplus honey on an average 4.5 kilogram of honey per colony. HIMALAYAN HONEYBEES AND BEEKEEPING IN NEPAL * * * > Keeping oriental honeybees in movable-frame hives appears to meet with varying degrees of success, most of the difficulty lying not so much in questions of hive design and size as in the bees' biological characteristics. Beekeepers in temperate, sub-tropical and tropical Asia agree in finding that absconding by colonies is their main problem, even more prevalent in the tropics than in the other regions. It is a form of the bees' genetic behaviour which enables them to evade attacking enemies and to migrate to other foraging areas during dearth periods. Although this trait is biologically favorable to the bees, it constantly threatens beekeepers with the loss of their colonies. Thus, the economic success of beekeeping with A. cerana depends essentially on minimizing the rate of absconding of the honeybees. > The bee mite Varroa jacobsoni is a parasite of Apis cerana indigenous to the entire continent of Asia. Wherever colonies of the oriental honeybees are kept, there is therefore a possibility of mite infestation. Through millions of years of being parasitized by the mite, the bees appear to have developed some degree of resistance to its attacks. Absconding is one of the colony's manners of ridding itself of the mite, or at least of those infesting the brood, which in such cases is abandoned. Colonies heavily infested by Varroa produce little or no honey, but most often the beekeeper can lose the entire colony when it absconds. Beekeeping with oriental honeybees (Apis cerana) FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 68/4 Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Rome, 1990 ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:57:40 +0000 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Gavin Ramsay Subject: Re: Varroa - Are there any positives? MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi Chris > Does gravity cause any problems to users of this technique? That would be the main force to be taken into account when designing the particular 'V' for the colony. Gavin ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:19:46 -0300 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Martin Braunstein Subject: Trade of bees MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Disposition: inline Hi Randy Oliver, I really expected another kind of approach to this issue of trade of bees. Your new statement is disappointing: =ABI was simply stating a biological fact. Any movement of organisms, whether legal or illegal, eventually results is the movement of their parasites. The less movement of organisms across oceans, the less movement of the associated parasites. The view that we will eventually spread all parasites to all continents is fatalistic, bu= t is supported by history=BB Your above mentioned assertion, although apparently obvious and based on common sense, is far from being supported by strong scientific evidence. It seems to be based on long time exposure to the 24 HOURS program and the challenges of agent Jack Bauer and the CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) team trying to stop bioterrorist attacks. Is all your scientific evidence just based on the four pages (160 to 164) o= f the book entitled =ABInfectious Disease Ecology=BB that you found on Amazon= ? If you really want to find out something about the history of animal diseases and its world distribution, then I suggest you to read the book entitled =ABHistory of the surveillance and control of transmissible animal diseases= =BB by J. Blancou and edited by the O.I.E. (World Animal Health Organization * www.oie.int* ). This book outlines the history of the surveillance and control of the major transmissible diseases (sheep pox, foot and mouth disease, anthrax, glanders, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, rinderpest, rabies, tuberculosis, and ecto- and endoparasitic disease), as well as wildlife diseases. So you suggest the best way to avoid new pests and diseases is to stop the transportation of living organisms=85? This Howard Hughes approach to prese= rve the health of honeybees will drive us to insanity as it did for him. Maybe a future development of your recommendation could be to stop incoming migratory colonies from non-California states to accomplish almond pollination in California. Another course of action, might be to stop foreign passengers from arriving into international airports. We human beings are all dangerous living organisms carrying unknown and lethal microorganisms, aren`t we? Do you also have an epidemiological contingency plan to prevent or to eradicate the migration of swallows from California to Argentina? What abou= t the seasonal migration of wild geese through the Behring strait? These dangerous birds might carry the highly pathogenic version of the avian flu virus (H5N1). Should we kill all these birds or convince them to stop their migration plans? Common sense is the least common of senses. It looks as if your paradigm is a mythical state of purity enjoyed by honeybees in America, which was eventually altered by trade or better said =ABmovement of organisms=BB just= 40 years ago. Well, let me tell you that the original sin that corrupted the virginity of our American environment, started back in year 1622 with the first documented successful introduction of honeybees in North America and the consequent displacement of plenty of adapted native species of pollinators. The first European honeybees brought to North America 386 years ago, carrie= d with themselves an unknown set of pathogens (AFB and EFB, maybe?). We simpl= y ignore how devastating its effect was on the feral population of the American aboriginal native pollinators. What about the impact of new introductions of honeybee races (in terms of bee diseases) performed by Frank Benton during the late 1800`s and early 1900`s? I do not think there is a record for such events, but Mr. Benton brought bees from every conceivable place on Earth. It is a miracle Varroa mites were not introduced over 100 years ago accidentally, through Benton efforts to import different races of honeybees. The globalization of honeybees started 386 years ago and it has not ended yet. Thus your statement that until 40 years ago, the non-native Apis mellifera honeybee species was living in the Garden of Eden in America is far from true. This globalization process has indeed risks and challenges, and obviously transportation enhances some of them, but it is part of the imperfect world we live in. I do not think that the ostrich approach of bur= ying the head in the sand, is the best way to stop exotic diseases from entering into new territories. The World Animal Health Organization (www.oie.int) has certain guidelines, directives and recommendations for the trade of animals and animal by-products. Certainly you can agree or disagree with them, but they provid= e a framework of consensus gained by all 172 member countries (including the US of course!) to prevent the introduction and transmission of animal diseases. You can access the O.IE. Terrestrial Animal Health Code which includes a specific chapter on bee diseases at http://www.oie.int/eng/normes/mcode/en_titre_1.9.htm. Under the WTO Sanitary and Phitosanitary Agreement signed by the 153 member countries, th= e O.I.E. has been recognized as the international standard setting body for animal diseases. Like it or not, agree or disagree we have some ways to mitigate and reduce the impact of animal diseases. I am afraid that we do not have 100% certainty but a high probability to avoid their accidental introduction. However, limiting the movement of animals is not a realistic approach. Sincerely, Martin Braunstein www.malkaqueens.com ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=3Dbee-l * ******************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2008 21:00:19 -0600 Reply-To: Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology Sender: BEE-L@listserv.albany.edu From: Jim Young Subject: Re: Drones (Rply) and red pollen In-Reply-To: <765808.48523.qm@web53411.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Mike in LA wrote: >Yesterday and the previous week I have been observing my bees >bringing in pollen. What was unusual was that some of it was a >bright red pollen. ... Anybody on the llist have any ideas about this? Henbit pollen is bright red. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_source Jim Young ******************************************************* * Search the BEE-L archives at: * * http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?S1=bee-l * *******************************************************