The Basingstoke Beekeeper

Winter 2002

Contents

Apiary Update

by David Purchase

I have been reflecting on the past season in the Association's apiary (St. John's Copse). It has been a good year. Attendances at the monthly Apiary Meetings have been better than for several years. The enthusiasm of new members has been infectious. Colonies have been strong, healthy and, for the most part, well behaved. Respectable honey crops have been achieved.

The most difficult task this year was keeping a lid on swarming. As reported earlier in the year, my impression from my travels through Hampshire, Berkshire, the Isle of Wight and Wiltshire was that more colonies than ever had swarmed or were preparing to swarm. Without going over old ground, I believe this had much to do with strong colonies emerging early from a benign winter. I believe that the reality of Climate Change means that we have to re-think our swarm prevention methods. I have already offered some of my thoughts on this to engender discussion. The requested feedback did not materialise - does that mean that no-one has any thoughts or ideas, or that no-one reads my reports?! Please put pen to paper!

It was not necessary to feed any of the colonies in St. John's Copse. Fine weather in late summer and early autumn meant that foraging continued apace. A field of mustard in Pack Lane, Kempshott, well within range of St. John's Copse, provided a brassica feast reminiscent of the oilseed rape days of early season. Empty supers returned to hives for cleaning were being filled! Over the years I have taken a particular interest in the debate about the value of crystallised brassica and ivy honey for winter stores. My observations suggest that bees can make good use of it, provided they have access to water on mild days with which to liquefy it. I accept that it could be a different story in a prolonged cold spell, although it might be possible for bees to utilise condensation from within the hive.

That leads my thoughts to hive ventilation. An increasing number of beekeepers are experimenting with open mesh (as opposed to solid) floors for overwintering with the aim of improving ventilation and reducing condensation. As far as I am concerned the jury is still out. It does appear to work well in sheltered apiaries in urban areas. I have seen some wonderfully strong colonies in the spring showing no signs of mouldy pollen or chalkbrood (both characteristic of damp, poorly ventilated hives). However, in some cases, they might have been just as good with solid floors. Without `control' colonies it is very difficult to judge. Conversely, I have seen colonies in exposed rural apiaries whose spring development has been seriously retarded by (presumably) cold winds blowing up through the open floors. One apiary springs to mind in which there were control colonies, so the evidence was fairly conclusive. One important advantage of open mesh floors is that live varroa mites which fall from bees are unable to return to their hosts. They drop to the ground and perish.

Sadly, Peter will not be offering himself for re-election as Apiary Manager at the forthcoming AGM. A change of employment means that he has considerably less time to spare than previously. He has done an excellent job during the past two years. He has renovated old equipment donated to the Association. He has managed Association colonies to a high standard, including a programme of regular brood comb replacement. Colonies have produced good honey crops, despite the fact that they are managed primarily for instructional and educational purposes. His calm and assured handling of the bees at apiary meetings has been a lesson to new beekeepers. Thank you Peter - you've done a great job.

Whoever replaces Peter will not be dropped in at the deep end. I was Assistant Apiary Manager and then Apiary Manager for many years before Peter took over. Peter and I will do all we can between us to ease his successor into the job. In the meantime, if you are interested and would like to learn more about it, please talk to Peter or me, without obligation!

The annual Honey Show was a great success. Entries were up on last year. Our very good friends Mary and Bill Dartnall judged the entries and were impressed by the standard. Thank you to all those who entered, and a big Thank You to Christine MacKinnon and Tony Bamberger for organising the show.

A Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to you all.

David Purchase
(Secretary and Seasonal Bee Inspector)
18th November

Secretary's Report

by David Purchase

Chris, Gordon and I are planning a repeat of this year's Introduction to Beekeeping course. It will be held in the Study Centre on ten consecutive Tuesday evenings commencing 14th January. It will be followed by practical sessions in the Association's apiary. The cost will be £ 25 to cover printing, stationery, refreshments, etc. There will be no obligation on participants to join the Association. Please contact me for further information.

Peter's resignation from the post of Apiary Manager is reported in Apiary Update. You will recall from the last AGM that I am stepping down at the next AGM in January following fifteen consecutive years on the Committee. I have enjoyed it, but it is time for a break. I would like to return, refreshed, in a year or two if I am wanted. In the meantime, I shall be a co-tutor on the beginners' course and will help the Association on an ad hoc basis whenever I can. Christine, too, is stepping down. She has been one of our two delegates to Hampshire Beekeepers' Association and has organised speakers, demonstrations and the Honey Show (with Tony Bamberger) in recent years. She preceded me as Secretary, since when she has been very supportive, for which I am very grateful.

With over thirty paid-up members of the Association, it will not be too difficult, hopefully, to find replacements for Christine, Peter and me. You would not be dropped in at the deep end as we would do all could to ensure a smooth transition. Committee membership is not too onerous, otherwise I would not have stuck it for so long! Not all Committee members hold elected office and overall we work very much as a team, with no strict demarcation lines. There are just four meetings each year, in February, April, September and November, with the AGM in January. The Chairman does have the right to convene a special meeting in an emergency.

Like all voluntary organisations, we do need continuity of management. However, just like other organisations, we do need to balance that with regular infusions of `new blood' to avoid stagnation. With that in mind, it was agreed at our recent Committee meeting to recommend to the AGM in January that the Association's Constitution be amended to restrict Management Committee membership to a maximum of five consecutive years. So, if approved, anyone elected to Committee in January would have to step down not later than January 2008. Of course, it would be possible to be re-elected after at least one year had elapsed.

Please consider offering your services for the benefit of your Association. I or any Committee member would be happy to answer your questions.

David
(Secretary)

Carniolan Bees

Matthew olmstead email@omitted.anti.spam

I'm thinking of getting some Carniolan this spring and was wondering what other beekeepers think of them? I now have 6 hives of Italians and have done well with them.

Thanks,

Matt

Paul Burch email@omitted.anti.spam

Hello Matt.

I have several hives each of the Italians, Starline, and Carniolans here in Western North Carolina. All three done real good last year but I did notice the Carniolans did not produce quite as much as the other two. My Uncle in South Louisiana changed all his hives to Carniolans and he is very happy with the results. It might depend on where you live as to how well the Carniolans do, someone else might have more information on that part.

Paul

ARNOLD JONES email@omitted.anti.spam

An interesting notion. I have five Buckfast and five of the Russian. The Russian out produce the Buckfast by several pounds. Same area, same water source, same nectar source. Has anyone written anything on preference of flowers with the various bee strains? Are there any climate or terrain correlations for the various strains.

Arnold Jones

john f. mesinger email@omitted.anti.spam

I switched to Carniolans three years ago. The so-called Yugos were as bad as the car of that name. Those from Heitkam and Strachan, the Coby strain, have been good. However, you definitely have to change the way you work with them; timing of brood production and space needs differ widely fom Italians.

I would suggest you be careful where you get them. Some seem to be crossbred with Caucasians. Some seem to have been bred with a mix of drones other than Carniolan. Two east coast breeders of Coby bees have not worked for me. One is still building up his stock. The other does not respond to inquiries.

If Italians work for you - remember the adage: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

John F. Mesinger

huestis email@omitted.anti.spam

Hi Matt,

My first question is where do you live? How much experience do you have? Their is a difference in management between Carniolans and Italian colonies. Just because you have success with Italians doesn't mean you can't do the same with another race! Carniolans build up in the spring very rapidly and need in my opinion a little more care than Italians. Here is a list of characteristics:

1. Rapid population build up
2. Conserve honey stores
3. Gentle(as long as they are well breed)
4. Overwinter on smaller honey/pollen stores(until brood rearing begins)
5. Rob less(they will if you allow it)
6. Very white cappings(the best for comb honey in my opinion)
7. Not much brace comb or propolis
8. Forages well in inclement weather also a little farther
9. Swarms if not given enough room
10. Dark queen can be hard to find for some people(get her marked)

For more info go to http://www.apiphyt.com/carnica/

Part of the joy of being a beekeeper is trying different things. So have a go with Carniolans. I would keep them in three deep chambers. Reverse them in the normal way. Make a split with one of those deep boxes, super both as usual and recombine in the fall. This should make for very strong colonies in the spring and help with swarming. Good Luck.

Clayton Huestis

Mark G Spagnolo email@omitted.anti.spam

Besides the color, there are other less obvious differences between Italians and Carniolans.

I've worked extensively with both breeds and even spent a couple days watching Sue Cobey artificially inseminate breeder queens. I even accompanied her on a drone trapping expedition! We collected traps with hundreds of big fat drones. Collecting the semen was another story. I am very glad I wasn't born a drone! Squeeze, pop, and it's all over!

In my opinion, even though both breeds will produce honey, the real difference between these breeds is in how they handle a dearth or the big dearth, winter. Carniolans will stop rearing brood much more quickly than Italians. The saying is something to the effect that "The Italians made more honey than the Carniolans, but they also ate a lot more".

When I kept bees in the tropics I used only Italians. Now that I keep bees in Minnesota, I use only Carniolans.

You really need to determine how you want to keep bees and then use the appropriate breed.

Mark in Minnesota

David L. Green email@omitted.anti.spam

You don't say where you are. Others have given good pointers. I would like to add one. If you are in the deep south... I have found them to be poor at coping with long, hot, dry weather. Remember they were originally a mountain bee, and I think they are better adapted to areas with less extreme summers.

Some also depends on your intent and the conditions with which you will use them. Italians will keep larger populations thru the winter (and of course, eat more). This is not a problem it you want to start making packages in March, or if your main flow begins very early. Carniolans are still "waking up", at this point.

Dave Green
http://pollinator.com

john f. mesinger email@omitted.anti.spam

Re: Carniolans just waking up in March in SC. The three previous winters in central VA were unusually warm. I found brood started on three frames the last week of January in two hives and each of these had 7 frames of brood by March. Having left them honeybound the second year not realizing they ate so little stores compared to my Italians they were ready to swarm in mid March. The same first two years, Starlines had not started brood laying the first week of March and had eaten so much more honey, there was no problem of them being honey bound. I sold them that year, and now have 4 Carniolan hives educating me.

I do agree that not only state but elevation would be a factor to report when raising questions about "what type of bee".

John F. Mesinger

Ernest J. Gregoire email@omitted.anti.spam

Hello Matt,

You did not say where your are going to keep the bees.

Deep south, New England, Hawaii?

It makes a difference. I live in New England and they are the best bees for this area.

Ernie Gregoire.

Richard E. Squires email@omitted.anti.spam

Hi Ernie,

My name is Dick Squires and I live in Reno, NV., - winters are cold (not as cold as where you are), but normally winters temps are (lows) teens &20's & (high) 30's to 50's; summer temps are (lows) 40's to 50's &(highs) high 80's to low 90's.

The purpose of this letter is to find out your Carniolans Hive Management. I believe you published to the group a "to do" list for the medicating & procedures that you followed for managing your hives a couple of years ago.

I will be receiving my first shipment of Carniolans in late April early May of this year; also, I am a beginner (new-bee).

I would appreciate if you could send me a listing of what month you do what with your Carniolans relating to medications and/or any other information that you deem appropriate for me. I went to the archives to see if I could find anything &I did not. I realize this is an imposition on you, but I would appreciate the assistance.

If anyone else in the group has suggestions, please advise.

Thanking you in advance.

Dick Squires
Reno, NV

Bee Candy

Dennis Crutchfield email@omitted.anti.spam

I lost the recipe for hard bee candy,for winter feed, and would like to make some up. I made some once that was white and like brittle. Sure appreciate the help.

thanks

Ruary Rudd email@omitted.anti.spam

The mnemonic is 1,2,3,4,5.

Five parts sugar dissolved in one part water, bring to the boil and stir continuously until temperature is 234 degree Fahrenheit [112 degree C]. Cool rapidly stirring until it just starts to go whit then pour into moulds. Once the material starts to set it hardens very quickly so have your moulds ready.

David L. Green email@omitted.anti.spam

That's a lot of work. And for what? If you overheat it while mixing, you can caramelize the sugar and make it more or less indigestible for the bees. Let the bees make it.

Make up a feeder rim, around 1½ to 2 inches. Fill it with dry granulated sugar, with a couple layers of newspaper to hold it from falling thru. Make sure it is directly above the cluster. The excess moisture evaporated by the bees, will condense and wet the sugar, and it will harden into a block. The bees, tasting the sweet newspaper will open it as needed and consume the sugar. It can be replenished, as needed, but always use a little more newspaper to keep it from falling thru the frames. Sugar on the floor of the hives may not be used, it may even be thrown out.

This not only saves your labor, it helps the bees dispose of a waste product that can be dangerous to them in winter - the excess moisture that often condenses or forms frost on the bottom of the cover. Actually they don't dispose of it; they recycle it.

You can use the same setup to feed a small amount (one gallon or so) of heavy syrup. In this case make sure the newspaper is at least six layers thick and makes a continuous bowl, ie, put the newspaper in after the rim is placed. The reason for the multiple layers is to prevent them from chewing thru the paper too soon, and spilling the syrup. It has to seep thru. In this case use only heavy syrup; we use straight HFCS straight as it comes from the drum. Thin syrup will soak thru too fast.

Excluders are not required, but I place one under the newspaper when feeding this way. The feeders may be still on in spring and the bees will remove the sugar and fill the rims with burr comb. This can mean a solid feeder full of drone brood. By using the excluder, it still mean a feeder rim full of burr comb, but it will be spring honey, instead. This can be removed as one piece with the excluder as the bottom, and put on a nuc that needs feeding.

Honey Storage

by email@omitted.anti.spam

Unfortunately there are "no rules of thumb" because of the variability of temperature, storage time, type of honey.

Regarding temperature, it is very well known that the best temperature to encourage crystallization is 57 degree F, so a cool basement is a horrible place. The seed crystals are microscopic and they can be reduced by heating the honey for as short a period of time as possible to 150 degree F [65 degree C] and straining the honey through a filter type used in a chemistry lab. This is the procedure used by the honey packers to prolong the shelf life of the honey, but there is a penalty to be paid for subjecting the honey to this treatment. Some of the natural honey flavor is destroyed, some of the natural yeasts are destroyed, and the color is darkened.

Storage time is also temperature dependent. Honey kept at 0 to 10 has a very long storage time, and honey kept at 80 does not quickly crystallize, but above 80, you are getting into that area of yeast loss.

The TYPE of honey is the dominant factor in honey crystallization. Honey is a combination of several different sugars, but the overwhelming two predominant sugars are glucose and fructose. These two sugars vary in percentage of the total based on what floral source the bees collected nectar from to make the honey. In their natural surroundings, glucose is a solid at room temperatures, whereas fructose is a liquid at room temperatures. Hence, if a honey has a high percentage of glucose and a low percentage of fructose, these honeys are going to crystallize rapidly depending on the variation of percentage difference. In the U. S. some of the prominent honeys that are known to crystallize within a few months are alfalfa, cotton, goldenrod and rape (canola). In contrast, honeys that are high on fructose and hence are slow to crystallize are yellow clover, gallberry, locust, sage, and tupelo.

Honey is sooo good, soooo natural, and soooo useful in cooking, it is hard for me to figure why anybody wants to "keep it around" very long.

George Imirie
In my 69th year of beekeeping in Maryland

Winter Flights

Richard Drutchas email@omitted.anti.spam

Bernd Heinrich a very observant fellow watched his bees fly out into a sunny 10 degree F 10 degree F is very cold. As the author appears to be German, I wonder if this is a wrong translation from 5 degree C ...about 40 degree F day, crash into the snow and die. He curiously collected a hundred and some bees and found they where all full of feces. His questions to me were:

• if he went into his hive and took bees out of the center of the cluster would those bees also be full,
• do the bees come out only to rid themselves of wastes or do they think its warm enough to fly and collect something,
• do bees relieve themselves next to and on the hive or do they try to fly out and away?

He did check abdomen temp., I can't remember what it was but he did say it was too cold to sting and probably too cold to rid themselves of any wastes. He also checked honey stomachs and found them to be empty. Waste management is an interesting subject I wonder how much we know about it?

Garry Libby email@omitted.anti.spam

I've watched bees fly on 40 degree F. days and on a really bright sunny day, have seen them come out of the hive and within one second, dive into the snow. I've always suspected that they were confused by the sunlight bouncing off the snow, causing them to become disoriented.

I have on several occasions taken a dozen or so into the house in a jar and warmed them. Most of the ones I observed were healthy and flew off when I released them.

I have not seen this happen when the sun was not bouncing off the snow. My first winter when I only had two colonies, I rolled out an old carpet in front and did see improvement.

Have any studies been done on this?

Garry Libby
Attleboro, Massachusetts, USA

Stan Sandler email@omitted.anti.spam

This year [2001 I have an unusual wintering situation I have not had for many years now. Many of my stands are within igloos. The stands (lines of five hives) are drifted right over with snow. Some have a single chimney (a pipe straight up through the snow usually over the top entrance of the strongest hive). But when I open the igloo there is a good size cavity at the front of the hives and all the top entrances are connected to it. There is only one pipe because it vents the air from the whole stand. A few igloos have no pipe but the hives have been alive. The top 20 to 30 cm. of snow is not too icy yet, and the hives seem to be getting enough gas exchange through the snow (but I have been shoveling these out a bit, as I would not want them to get ice on top of the snow).

There is very little sunlight penetrating the snow drifts. I have noticed feces all over the insides walls of the igloo and the outside of the hives where the bees have been going out, but walking, not flying. I do not think that they are freezing as is usual, because I did not see many dead bees on the inside wall of the igloos I opened. However, I may not be seeing collections of them down at the bottom of the igloo, because the space gets narrower lower down on the hives and I wasn't looking down there.

Regards, Stan

Doug Henry email@omitted.anti.spam

I've often wondered what compels bees to leave the hive for a certain death in these conditions. My experience has shown that for the most part these are the hives that will survive the winter. The more dead bees laying in the snow, the healthier the hive, it seems like a paradox but it has been that way for me. Why this is, I don't know.

Doug Henry
Lockport, MB

Richard Drutchas email@omitted.anti.spam

Flying out into the snow is well explained by John Free in his book Honeybee Biology. In short he says unlike a fly that has a gyroscope balance the bee uses what's called dorsal light reflex. This means that in order to keep a proper flying attitude they need more light falling on the upper part of the eyes then the lower. If more light is coming from below than above the bee will turn over and crash. Heinrich called back yesterday to answer his question. He took off the cover and let bees run up out of the center of the cluster and found they too where full of wastes. So why do some bees fly out into cold and others not. Maybe its the older bees that can't hold it that fly out. I had the temp. on those bees wrong. The abdomen was 16 degree C, probably warm enough to function, the thorax was 30 degree C.

email@omitted.anti.spam

As I remember, the three simple eyes (ocelli) on top of a bee's head are light detectors whose purpose is to detect where the strongest light is coming from. In daylight this is almost always from above. So they tell the bees which way is UP. When you get a strong light reflection from snowfall the bees get confused messages and try to fly upside down, ending up in the snow.

Chris

SMR Bees

Computer Software Solutions Ltd email@omitted.anti.spam

Hello All

Allen Dick wrote from San Diego as follows:

John Harbo's talk about Suppressing Mite Reproduction (SMR) bees. He has found bees on which varroa females simply do not reproduce successfully,

I was wondering if I could obtain further information on this.

Thanks as always for any help

Sincerely

Tom Barrett
Dublin 18

Bob &Liz email@omitted.anti.spam

I also seek information Tom. I believe research is finally moving in the right direction and we are looking closer at varroa reproduction than we ever have before. John Harbo will be the first to admit we really don't know WHY varroa females do not reproduce successfully on certain bees as they do on others. This phenomenon has been observed by many researchers and I am sure bees are in a few hives on which varroa does not reproduce as well as others.

With all due respect to John Harbo I am VERY skeptical he has found A. melifera on which varroa females will not reproduce. Varroa LOVE drone brood of A.melifera! I believe Allen is reading more into the talk than was given. If John Harbo had A.melifera on which varroa couldn't reproduce we would all be dancing in the streets and opening bottles of champagne. Maybe a Nobel award would be in order.

Sorry to take the wind out of Allen's sails. I remain very very sceptical.

In a round about way John Harbo is saying the same thing many researchers have said that certain bees tolerate varroa better than others. Nothing new yet.

However (in my opinion) the key to stopping varroa may indeed be found by John Harbo as he is looking in the right place.

Sincerely,

Bob Harrison

Michael W Stoops email@omitted.anti.spam

Scepticism is good. If John Harbo's results can be duplicated, then come the hallalooya's. Here's hoping.

Mike Stoops

Adony Melathopoulos email@omitted.anti.spam

Allen heard right, there is a character[istic floating around within US bee stocks that results in reduced reproduction of mites. The character is heritable, and following a survey of US bee stocks in the mid-1990s, it appeared to be the strongest resistance character in the gene pool; that is to say it had a larger impact of mite population growth than hygienic behavior, grooming behavior and the duration of the capped period. Studies suggest that both the adult bees and the brood contribute to the character. I think one of the problems with the character is that it is difficult finding the breeders. The method to detect SMR is very time and labor intense. It is not like hygienic behavior, where I think you need a 3 days in the bee yard, a soup can and some liquid nitrogen.

Regards

Adony

Dr. Pedro P Rodriguez email@omitted.anti.spam

Hello to all.

A University study in southern Mexico has found that the reproduction of varroa mites is closely related to the release of certain pheromones by the honey bees. I wonder if SMR bees have a dysfunction of some type of the pheromone which triggers reproduction of the varroa mites. I will try to contact those researchers on this subject and post their reply later on. This is certainly a fascinating subject on the fight against varroa and worth pursuing.

Best Regards.

Dr. Pedro Pablo Rodriguez

Allen Dick email@omitted.anti.spam

Hi Dr. Pedro,

Good to hear from you. I'll explain a bit more and also address bob's comments.

The SMR mechanism was not explained, but the method of selection was.

Harbo simply pulls out 200 worker pupæ that are a little past the eye colour stage and examines them for mites. The SMR bees will have only the (prospective) mother mite(s) -- and no offspring attached. An obvious additional indication is that the white fecal spot often detaches from the cell and is found adhered to the pupa. If I understood correctly, this does not usually happen in non-SMR bees.

Harbo used queen(s) mated to a single drone to refine his stock and achieved these results in only a few (I forget how many -- was it eight?) generations.

Spivak spoke very highly of SMR in her talk. The SMR bees are apparently much more resistant to varroa than her hygienic stock, which has some anti-varroa powers, but not a lot. However, please note that there are no claims made for hygienic behaviour in Harbo's stock, and there are no claims made about other desirable traits either. His SMR bees simply do not support varroa reproduction. Period.

He is planning to release breeders to queen suppliers so they can incorporate this trait into their lines. It is also possible that breeders will simply identify this trait in their existing lines and select for it -- assuming that it is not strongly linked to some unacceptable characteristic.

allen

Gavin Ramsay email@omitted.anti.spam

Hi Allen

As I remember from his papers there are at least two types [of SMR mechanisms. Remember that in the Varroa life cycle, a mother lays one male egg and one or more female ones. The male does not survive outside the sealed cell. Females mate with their brother before the cell is opened. In one type of SMR, the female mites are unfertilised, or poorly fertilised - here the mechanism could be that the male mites do not thrive on these bees and are not as fertile as they should be. So, daughter mites do not reproduce as they carry defective sperm or none at all. In this type, if colonies are made up experimentally with an SMR queen but non-SMR workers and their mites, the SMR trait builds up over a few brood cycles as the mites go through their reproductive cycles and the old mites that arrived (already fertilised) in the experimental colony die off. John Harbo and colleagues also saw SMR expressing in the first brood cycle in at least one experiment, so this must arise from a different mechanism.

Some of the bees he used showed multiple resistance traits. Here are two abstracts...

Gavin.

Title: Honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the United States that express resistance to Varroa jacobsoni (Mesostigmata: Varroidae).

Author: Harbo, John R., Hoopingarner, Roger A.

Author Address: [a Honey Bee Breed. Genet. Physiol. Lab., USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA 70820, USA

Source: Journal of Economic Entomology 90 (4) 1997. 893-898.

Document Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purposes of this study were to select honey bees, Apis mellifera L., for resistance to varroa mites, Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans, and to find a probable cause for this resistance. As a genetic source, we assembled 8 colonies that we thought had potential for resistance to varroa. Queens and drones were propagated from this group to produce 43 instrumentally inseminated queens, each queen mated to only 1 drone. Colonies from 27 of these queens were tested in Louisiana and 16 were tested in Michigan. Each colony in the Louisiana test began with 986 +/- 13 g (mean +/- SD) of bees and apprxeq 290 mites; Michigan colonies began with 3,212 +/- 171 bees and apprxeq 51 mites. The populations of mites and bees were measured 10 wk later. Three of the 43 colonies had fewer mites at the end of the test than at the beginning. During the experiment, we evaluated each colony for grooming behavior, hygienic behavior, the duration of the post-capping period, and the frequency of nonreproducing mites in brood cells. Of these 4 characteristics, only nonreproduction of mites was highly related to a change in the mite population. The duration of the post-capping period was marginally related, and the other 2 characteristics were apparently unrelated to the growth of the mite population. This study showed that resistance to varroa mites is present in the honey bee population in the United States, nonreproduction of mites was highly correlated with the growth of a mite population, and nonreproduction of mites may be a valuable characteristic for selecting bees for resistance to varroa mites.

Title: Heritability in honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of characteristics associated with resistance to Varroa jacobsoni (Mesostigmata: Varroidae).

Author: Harbo, John R. [a Harris, Jeffrey W.

Author Address: [a Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Baton Rouge, LA, 70820, USA

Source: Journal of Economic Entomology 92 (2) April, 1999. 261-265.

Document Type: Article

Abstract: This study uses sibling analysis to measure the heritability in honey bees, Apis mellifera L., of characteristics that have been associated with resistance to the mite, Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans. Twenty-eight uniform colonies of bees were established on 13 May in Baton Rouge, LA, each with 1 kg of mite-infested bees and a queen. The 28 unrelated queens in these colonies were divided into 7 groups of 4 based on the insemination of 4 queens with the same mixture of semen from 1 of 7 sire colonies. After worker progeny from these queens had replaced the initial bee populations, a colony was related as a full sister to the other 3 colonies in its sire group and unrelated to the other 24 colonies. Heritability (h2) was 1.24 for proportion of mites in brood, 0.65 for hygienic behavior, 0.89 for the duration of the capped period, 0.46 for suppression of mite reproduction, and 0.00 for physical damage to mites (measured by the presence of physically broken or dented mites on the bottom board). These results suggest that it should be possible to enhance the expression of 4 of these 5 characteristics with selective breeding of bees, thus reinforcing confidence in our ability to breed honey bees for resistance to V. jacobsoni.

Nick Wallingford email@omitted.anti.spam

In early June, at a Bay of Plenty branch field day to discuss the then recent varroa outbreak in New Zealand, Dr Denis Anderson of the CSIRO spoke to us with some optimism regarding the long term future for varroa control. My understanding of what he had to say was that it would be related to the discovery of the `trigger' that initiated reproductive behaviour within the cell by the mite. He was a bit cagey and loathe to provide too much detail due to the untested aspects of what he was implying. I'm including below my notes from his talk on that day, as it is an interesting overview of varroa in general...

Nick Wallingford
http://www.beekeeping.co.nz

Dr Denis Anderson; From CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation), Australia.

Returned to Australia 11 years ago after working as bee pathologist in NZ. At that time, varroa was just on Australia's doorstep, in Papau New Guinea. Recent work has indicated that there is in fact a new name for the varroa we know on Apis mellifera, Varroa destructor. Various ramifications to that finding that he'll discuss in the talk.

Varroa was not originally on our honey bee, Apis mellifera. It is on Apis cerana throughout Southeast Asia, and exhibits similar behaviour.

Varroa was originally found in Java in the early part of this century by a man named Jacobson. It was described by Odemanns, and it was in fact a new genus. There are not other varroa like mites - it is the only one in that genus.

About 50-60 years ago, varroa appears to have jumped hosts to our honey bee. There are in fact three species of varroa already named: jacobsoni, underwoodi and rinderera.

When Denis first started working in Irian Jaya/Papua New Guinea, he found amazing behaviour. The mites in PNG (which would have come originally from Java) were not reproducing on Apis mellifera! Other researchers around the world had taken own direction, and didn't seem especially interested in the finding, or had other explanations of their own. Published this in 1994 in Apidolgie. Only researcher who took interest was a German bee scientist, so Denis worked with him over the next few years.

Considered that the failure to breed was in some way related to either:

• resistant bees
• genetically different mites
• some environmental factors

Bred 40 sister queens in Australia and sent 20 to Germany (where there was varroa present) and put 20 in PNG. The colonies in Germany were soon killed completely by varroa, but the PNG colonies remained.

Took DNA out of the mites in the two places and compared it. Found 6.7% difference in mtDNA on chromosomes which should not have been much different at all - this was a big difference. Published this in 1998 in the Journal of Apicultural Research.

Decided at this stage to go back to look at varroa on its natural host, Apis cerana. Did DNA sequencing from the varroa found on cerana throughout SE Asia, with very wide geographical sampling. For the mites all considered to be `jacobsoni', found in fact about 6 species. Very tidily geographically confined - jacobsoni was confined for the most part to Indonesia and Malaysia. Another species (which is now being called destructor) found mostly in mainland Asia. Some others unresolved (which will perhaps lead ultimately to other new species) from both Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Destructor is significantly larger body size than jacobsoni, and not so round. The two cannot interbreed.

Did more extensive testing on the COIII gene. Again, the distribution turned out the same, with differences from mainland Asia to the Indonesian groupings, and still the unresolved differences in Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Then did survey for varroa found in 32 countries on Apis mellifera. Found that there had been two types of the mite that had in fact changed over to mellifera from cerana - now called the Korean and Japan/Thailand types. Korean most widely distributed, even where cerana is present. It is this one that is present in Europe, US, etc.

The Japan/Thailand type present and now spreading out of Brazil, explained by the fact that honey bees were taken to Brazil from Japan in 1972. This type now spreading into US from the south.

Published this all in Journal of Experimental and Applied Acarology. Easier to read review now available from Apidologie.

Ramifications of this all. There is a name change to contend with, from Varroa jacobsoni to Varroa destructor. Said that after presenting the paper in Canada, beekeeper said the change in name shouldn't be too hard for them. They'd only just gotten used to saying "My bees have VJ", so the change would be interesting...

Impacts on bee trade and quarantine issues, with two species involved. Bee management and control methods may well be impacted. Even destructor is not especially good at breeding on mellifera - does not manage the necessary `signal' to initiate reproduction, so the development is not especially good (though obviously good enough to kill!). This weakness could lead to some form of permanent control method, if the signal could be disrupted or changed in some way. Finally, all previous research needs to be reviewed in terms of the fact that there are two different species involved.

Denis wanted to make a special acknowledgment to the ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) who has been far-sighted enough to continue to fund his work, along with CSIRO his direct employer.

Denis then moved into a detailed description of the varroa lifecycle. Varroa enters the cell in the pre-capping stage and buries itself upside down in the brood food. Once the larva has eaten most all the food and turns around preparing to pupate, mite moves onto position on abdomen. Moves from there to sit on the wall of the cell for a time. Once the larva has finished pupating, mite rejoins and begins to feed. About 70 hours later, lays first egg. First is male, then generally about 5 females. They develop in the cell before the bee emerges. Male mates with his sisters then dies. Females come out of the cell with the bee to continue the process. Eventually re-enter a cell to repeat the cycle. Goal is to develop some means of moving the signal `out of the range' so that mite will fail to reproduce.

Future control mechanisms for varroa were discussed. European methods appear to be moving from straight chemical control, to use of such things as organic acids. Spring often mechanical controls (variations on drone brood trapping of the mites to keep their number down). Later, uses of organic acids (such as formic acid, as spot treatment or longer). Autumn treatment with chemicals as required. Avoids continuous treatment. Goal is to reduce mite numbers through the winter period - if you can't do this, numbers rise too quickly in the main part of the season.

Question about Russian queens sold in US for resistance. Rinderer took bees from Russia, near area of original changeover to mellifera, and bred them. Being released to beekeepers as unmated queens. Possible resistance, but not clearly shown yet.

Denis was confident that some form of final control method could be found. Expected it could take about 3 years to identify the `signal' that he referred to (as he has a fair idea of what it is already). From then, should be relatively easy to develop some means of delivery.

Discussed finds of Apis cerana (from PNG) in Australia, one of which did have jacobsoni. Difficulty in explaining to beekeepers that they didn't have to worry, as even if it did get out into the mellifera population, it would not breed.

Honey Show Results

2002 Honey Show

Diary

Unless otherwise stated, evening meetings are at 7:30pm in our Study Centre, The Walled Garden, Down Grange, Basingstoke and apiary meetings are 2:30pm at St. John's Copse, Oakley.

December 19

In the Study Centre. Bring and Buy with mince pies.

January 16

In the Study Centre. AGM + Cheese and wine

February 20

In the Study Centre. Bob Geary .. How to make polish in beeswax

March 20

In the Study Centre. Chris Mounty .. How to cream honey

April 6

Apiary Meeting

April 17

In the Study Centre. Alan and Margaret Johnson .. Preparing for honey shows

May 4

Apiary Meeting

June 1

Apiary Meeting

July 6

Apiary Meeting

August 3

Apiary Meeting

September 7

Apiary Meeting

September 18

In the Study Centre. TBD

October 16

In the Study Centre. Beulah Cullen on dipping and making candles

November 20

In the Study Centre. TDA

December 18

In the Study Centre. Bring and Buy with mince pies.

Committee

In the Study Centre. Wednesdays 8 January, 5 March, 7 May, 3 September, 5 November.

Recipe

Stuffed Orange Salad

• 4 oranges
• 350g cooked long grain rice
• 2 tbs sunflower seeds
• 50g chopped walnuts or pecans
• quarter cucumber, diced
• 125ml French dressing
• 2tbs Orange Juice
• 2tbs Clear Honey

Slice the tops off the oranges, scoop out and reserve the flesh.

Mix together the rice, sunflower seeds, nuts, cucumber and orange segments.

Blend together the French dressing, orange juice and honey, pour it over the other ingredients and mix well together.

Fill the oranges with the mixture.