From SYSAM@UACSC2.ALBANY.EDUMon May 22 06:46:13 1995 Date: Mon, 22 May 95 08:35:19 EDT From: Aaron Morris To: dicka@cuug.ab.ca ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 11 Dec 90 07:57:23 EST Reply-To: Discussion of Bee Biology Sender: Discussion of Bee Biology From: Edward E Southwick Subject: nectar I have a colleague who needs information on floral biology and especially nectar production on: Cardus acanthoides, an heliophylous weed growing in grasslands of Argentina during the summer. Any help? Please BITNET or FAX me ASAP. Thank you... ================================================================== º Edward E. Southwick Department of Biology º º Phone 716-395-5743 State University of New York º º FAX 716-395-2416 Brockport, New York 14420 º º BITNET SOUTHWIK@BROCK1P U.S.A. º ================================================================== ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 13 Dec 90 14:16:22 ARG Reply-To: Discussion of Bee Biology Sender: Discussion of Bee Biology From: Insectos Sociales Subject: IUSSI Proceedings Concerning an old message from Jim Hunt, the Proceedings of the 11th International Congress of IUSSI, "Social Insects and the Environment" (G.K Veeresh, B. Mallik & C.A. Viraktamath, eds) are available at E.J. Brill Publishers and Booksellers, Netherland. They have the exclusive world-wide distribution rights, except for the India. The book costs US$ 85.75. The library address is: E.J. Brill, Publishers P.O. Box 9000 2300 PA Leiden The Netherlands Cheers! Martin Giurfa P.S.: I think that a valuable job for BEE-L members for the beginning of 1991 could bee to inform about scientific meetings where bee biology will be discussed. By the way, in Argentina there will be: - XV National Reunion of Ecology Rosario University, 15-19 April 1991 Rosario, Santa Fe 2051 - 2000 Rosario - ARGENTINA - XI Argentine Congress of Entomology Cordoba University, 4-6 december 1991 Cordoba, CP 5000 - ARGENTINA Insectos Sociales inssoc ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 19 Dec 90 09:30:03 EST Reply-To: Discussion of Bee Biology Sender: Discussion of Bee Biology From: "Stephen B. Bambara" Subject: Apis laboriosa Interesting reading: Natural History magazine. Dec. 1990 "Bee Cool" by Benjamin Underwood. Story recounts his observations of Apis laboriosa in Nepal. Tells how the be leaves its comb in winter and migrates to lower altitudes. Does not store honey and hibernates. Cluster temperature often lower than ambient temp. ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 19 Dec 90 12:36:00 EST Reply-To: Discussion of Bee Biology Sender: Discussion of Bee Biology From: General Delivery Subject: NOVEMBER ISSUE OF APIS--PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT TO BITNET:MTS@IFASGNV From: GNV::GCB 14-DEC-1990 16:04:15.84 To: MTS CC: GCB Subj: FILENAME: NOVAPIS.90 Florida Extension Beekeeping Newsletter Apis--Apicultural Information and Issues (ISSN 0889-3764) Volume 8, Number 11, November 1990 VARROA TREATMENT The new Apistan (R) strips have finally been released by Zoecon Corporation. They will carry a Section three or general-use label. This means that it will no longer be necessary to treat for Varroa under a compliance agreement, unless the specific state requires it. Florida so far continues to demand such an agreement. In addition, any instructions on the label must be followed to the letter. It cannot be overemphasized that the label on any pesticide is the law, and that it must be in the applicator's possession while using any pesticide. A recent meeting of Florida's Honey Bee Technical Council revealed how management of Varroa is evolving. A constantly changing set of rules and regulations that effect Florida beekeepers is in place. One reason is to try to conform with the agreement signed last spring by Florida and a few northeastern states to ensure orderly movement of honey bees for pollination. I will attempt to briefly summarize the current rules as described at the Council meeting, but be aware that they are complex and subject to be modified based on specific circumstances. Your most up-to-date source is the local bee inspector. 1. In order to be certified to move bees in Florida, 20 percent of colonies must be surveyed using ether roll. If no mites are found and there is no history of mites, a mite-free certificate is issued and the bees can move. This is very rare; as a matter of course, the vast majority of colonies in Florida are considered infested with Varroa at some level. If mites are found, the bees must be treated with Apistan (R) chemical within 60 days unless prior arrangements are made before being moved. 2. If bees are treated, a 12-month treatment certificate is awarded after the compliance agreement, treatment forms and proof of purchase (save your receipts) of strips have been received by the Division of Plant Industry. A post-treatment and six-month recheck may also be required. These latter procedures are to ensure that the treatment was effective. 3. Bees moving out of state fall under other rules, and vary depending on the receiving state. Those complying with the eastern states' agreement are usually sampled at the five percent level with Apistan (R) strips. Depending on the number of mites found, treatment will usually be required before movement, and colonies may be subject to post-treatment and six-month checks. OSSA BEEKEEPING FACT SHEET A new beekeeping fact sheet has been published by USDA's Office of Small-Scale Agriculture (OSSA). It is pretty generalized and something that can be handed out at bee meetings and other educational events. According to the sheet, over 211,000 beekeepers maintain about 3.2 million colonies of bees in the U.S. Thousands are small-scale entrepreneurs, keeping bees for honey, pollen, beeswax, propolis and royal jelly production. Information on how to get bees, their management, effects of insecticides, diseases and pests and where to obtain information is included. Copies are available from OSSA, 342-D Aerospace Bldg., USDA, Washington, DC 20250-2200. SEEDLESS WATERMELONS IN FLORIDA An article in the July issue of Florida Grower and Rancher last July promoted the growing of seedless watermelons in Florida. The authors, D. Maynard and G. Elmstrom of the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Bradenton, say that the technology for growing this fruit, as well as suitable commercial varieties, have been around for two decades. The cite that yield is often higher for seedless melons than for either the standard or icebox watermelon: Table 1. Yields and fruit weight in Bradenton and Quincy, 1987-1989. Average Yield Fruit Wt. Seeds Fruit Type (Cwt/acre) (lb) (No./fruit) Seedless 613 14.6 0-20 Standard 470 21.4 500-1000 Icebox 419 9.3 200-500 In addition, the authors say that consumer demand for specialty vegetables is high and these melons provide an attractive alternative for the upscale consumer and food service industry. Only about 5 percent of commercial watermelon acreage in Florida is devoted to seedless watermelons, but plantings are on the rise. As a first guess, it would seem that pollinating insects would play a small role in a melon that has no seeds. But the authors say that as many or more bees are needed to ensure adequate fruit yield than for the other varieties. This is because the growth hormone needed for seedless fruit comes from pollen and so normal watermelons must be interplanted to act as a pollen source. Seedless fruit tends to be malformed unless sufficient pollinizers (normal watermelons) and bee populations are present. The authors say experienced watermelon growers should plan on at least the same, and perhaps higher, bee populations than they have used in the past on regular fruit. This usually means from one to five colonies per acre or one bee per every hundred flowers in a field. Although not emphasized by the authors, use of normal watermelon pollenizers provides the opportunity to grow two crops, seedless and normal melons, spreading the risk to the grower. This and the higher yield and price expected from seedless watermelons are valuable inducements beekeepers might use while marketing a pollination service to a grower. In the 1990s, service is what most companies are being urged to provide to customers by consultants. A good part of the service provided by the would-be pollinator is to help the grower find new ways of growing and marketing crops. The authors provide valuable tips on recommended varieties, seed germination, pollenizer selection and field arrangement to be successful in growing seedless watermelons. I have copies of the full article available for those interested in the details. In addition, I publish Hint for the Hive 110, A Sample Pollination Contract. This and other useful information on watermelon pollination is available from county extension offices through the beekeeping database now resident on the Florida Agricultural Information and Retrieval System (FAIRS). TRAPPING BEES Expect more and more discussion about trapping bees as the African bee (AHB) becomes more established in the United States. The topic is receiving attention, especially with evidence coming from the University of Florida concerning limited hybridization in the tropics and subtropics. This research strongly suggests that two populations of bees may well coexist in Florida in the future. One will be managed in boxes; the other will be feral and often out of beekeepers' control. A great challenge for those in beekeeping in this state, therefore, will be how to manage the feral population that will reduce nectar resources for, and genetically mix with, managed bees and become a potential source of stinging incidents. The bee trap is the logical tool, but we still have a lot to learn as was abundantly clear at the American Bee Research Conference in Tucson, Arizona. The following information was gleaned from talks conducted at this meeting. What trap styles are available for detection and control of African bees? At present the paper pulp trap marketed by Scentry, Inc. appears to be the trap of choice. They recently have introduced one that will take frames, but experience with this is limited. What is the necessary trap density for detection and/or control? This is not well known yet. It was suggested by Dr. Orley Taylor that 80% detection is possible with 8 traps/square mile in urban areas and 4/square mile in rural situations. Traps also collect bees from managed apiaries; experience suggests this reaches a peak between 250 to 500 yards from the apiary. What about servicing traps? Experience suggests they should be run at least one to two times a week during the active (dry) season, but at six-week or one-month intervals in the inactive (wet) season. Two persons can take down about 100 traps per day. A big problem is how to dispose of the swarms found in the traps. Unfortunately, destruction of the bees is usually mandatory, and is the reason for trapping in the first place. Leaving trapped bees in black plastic in the sun will often be successful. There are many unknowns about bee trapping technology. Are traps responsible for bringing in populations that might not be there to begin with? This has been the result in some cases when traps have been used for pest species like Japanese beetles. What level of feral bees is acceptable near beekeeping operations before they affect an operation? This threshold is not known. Although we have much to learn, it seems reasonable to suggest that this area will continue to get study as the AHB makes its way across the coastal plain of the Gulf of Mexico toward the Sunshine State. All evidence so far suggests that bee trapping is an activity beekeepers will indulge in far more than in the past. NATIONAL MEETINGS I am in receipt of information on the American Beekeeping Federation meeting this year near Florida in Mobile, Alabama. A special event will be the 1991 American Honey Show including 13 classes: 7 colors of extracted honey, chunk comb, square and round sections, creamed honey and two classes of beeswax. Entry forms must reach the Federation office by December 31. The entry itself must arrive between January 1 and 21, 1991. The convention opens noon on January 23 at the Stouffer Riverview Plaza Hotel and concludes on the evening of January 26 with the annual banquet. Travel arrangements are being handled by Caravelle Travel Management, ph 800/222-6664, and 5 percent discounts are available on several air carriers. For details on registration, contact the Federation's business office, P.O. Box 1038, Jesup, GA 31545, ph 912/427-8447. The American Honey Producers Association will meet in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, January 8-13, at the Holiday Inn Holidome South. Because it will be meeting in Louisiana, the program has a good lineup of bee scientists talking about current research going on at the Bee Lab there. American Airlines is the official carrier with 5 percent discounts, ph 800/433-1790 and ask for STAR File #S-0111PI. For additional information, contact AHPA Convention, P.O. Box 815, Dayton, TX. Ph 409/258-3034. HONEY FARMING I am in receipt of information regarding honey farming from Mr. Geoff Wilson, Consultant to Greening Australia and Honorary International Secretary of the International Tree Crops Institute. According to Mr. Wilson, there is interest in honey farming in Australia. The activity would take the beekeeping enterprise into areas not yet capitalized on. "A honey-farming enterprise that provides its own year-around nectar flow from the multitude of Australian native species available, would not require heavy capital expenditure on a semi-trailer truck and processing facilities. Instead, a farmer or group of cooperating farmers could share both hives and honey extraction and processing equipment. They could also share the cost of an ancillary money making enterprise--a tourist facility combined with extraction and processing and retail sales." As evidence for the potential of honey farming in Australia, Mr. Wilson cites a honey farmer in Florida in 1978 who owned about 1,000 acres of land planted in nectar-producing trees and shrubs. According to his sources, Mr. Wilson indicated the farmer made as much, if not more, from servicing tourist interests as he did in honey sales. Apparently, the honey farmer was located near Disney World, but that is all the information we have. If anybody knows of this activity or the person conducting it, Mr. Wilson asks them to please communicate this information to me at the APIS newsletter desk. It would not only be interesting for Australians, of course, but for Floridians as well. AFRICAN BEES AND OUR NORTHERN NEIGHBORS The debate continues concerning how far north African bees might establish themselves in North America. A recent article in the Ontario beekeeping newsletter indicates the bees are not expected to be a problem in Canada. In fact, the African bee may be a boon to Canadian beekeeping because that country now produces about $1 million worth of queens and package bees. This supply of genetic material might be in demand in areas where the African bee will be established. In spite of the above prediction, there is evidence that the full story is not yet known. A new study by E. Southwick, D. Roubik and J. Williams indicates that African bees might be more cold hardy than previously recognized. These investigators predict that North American distribution will include most of Long Island, New York, parts of Pennsylvania, central Ohio, Illinois and Indiana and the southern borders of Iowa and Nebraska, central Colorado, northern Utah, Nevada, western Idaho and Washington state. The article is entitled: "Comparative Energy Balance in Groups of Africanized and European Honey Bees: Ecological Implications," Comparative Biochemical Physiology, Vol. 97A, No. 1, pp 1-7, 1990. Evidence from studies done by A. Dietz and colleagues in Argentina by USDA some years ago also supports the idea that the African bee can tolerate relatively low temperatures. Sincerely, Malcolm T. Sanford 0740 IFAS, Bldg 970 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-0740 Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190 BITNET Address: MTS@IFASGNV INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 19 Dec 90 12:38:00 EST Reply-To: Discussion of Bee Biology Sender: Discussion of Bee Biology From: General Delivery Subject: DECEMBER APIS--PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT TO BITNET:MTS@IFASGNV FILENAME: DECAPIS.90 Florida Extension Beekeeping Newsletter Apis--Apicultural Information and Issues (ISSN 0889-3764) Volume 8, Number 12, December 1990 TAKING STOCK This will be the 95th consecutive number of APIS to be published since Hum of the Hive got a face lift in February, 1983. Every year at this time, I try to take stock of what has happened in the last twelve months and provide a glimpse into the future. As expected, 1990 was the year of the African bee. In January and February, APIS carried articles on planning for the bee's arrival in Florida and results of the DNA honey bee research program underway at the University of Florida. A new video, "A Glimpse of Florida Beekeeping," was also released which is a good resource to use in communicating to the general public what Florida beekeeping is all about. And, of course, there followed the news that the bee was finally detected in Texas (October). Trapping bees and expanded knowledge about the bee's potential northern distribution were covered in the November issue. Varroa bee mites also received a lot of ink. The June issue summarized thoughts on stock introduction to combat the mite. There continue to be many persons who don't know about Varroa, still very new to beekeepers in the U.S.; the August APIS provided a quiz to ensure readers were up to date on this parasite. This was closely followed by a description of the first find of fluvalinate, the only material approved to control Varroa, in honey. As a followup, the September issue (which also noted that particular month as National Honey Month) detailed a resume of food safety concerns along with information on honey contamination crisis programs. Bee management was also featured with articles on limiting factors (April), the "sad and bad" bee phenomenon reported in California and reflections on protein management (July), and oiling your bees for tracheal mite control. A sprinkling of other issues were also reported: infotainment--the media's hybrid of information and entertainment (March), professionalism in the beekeeping business (May), registration requirements (July), and in April and July, developments concerning a major beekeeping database on the Florida Information and Retrieval System (FAIRS). The latter is available to all county extension offices. A full index follows: January--Planning for the African Bee's Arrival; A Glimpse of Florida Beekeeping (Video). February--African Honey Bee Research in Florida; Pesticide Paradox; The Bee Breeder (publication). March--On Certification; DNA Revisited; Infotainment--Doing the Unexpected. April--Pesticide Registration; Limiting Factors; African Bee Awareness; Speaking Clearly. May--American Foulbrood--Old Foe; Professionalism; Oiling Your Bees. June--Stock Introduction in Florida; The Numbers Game; The Other Half of Beekeeping. July--Beekeeper Registration; Sad and Bad Bees; Reflections on Protein Management. August--Contaminated Honey; Varroa in Florida-Test Your Knowledge; Survey of Florida Beekeeping Industry. September--Beekeepers Institute; Food Safety; Honey Contamination Crisis; Costs of Beekeeping. October--American Bee Research Conference; African Bee Arrives. November--Varroa Treatment; Seedless Watermelons in Florida; Trapping Bees; Honey Farming; African Bees and Our Northern Neighbors. For those with access to the IFAS VAX, all the above issues are available by entering at the $ prompt, TYPE [MTS.NEWSLET]---APIS.90, where the first three letters are those of the appropriate month. For example, JANAPIS.90 is January's issue. Plans to have the current year's issues also available on IFAS Online on the VAX and through FAIRS are being implemented. The 1990-1991 fiscal year continues to be more critical than most due to extreme budget cuts at the state and federal levels which are affecting Cooperative Extension programs at all levels. As a postscript to my call for support in the October issue of APIS, I wish to thank all those who took the time to write about the service this newsletter provides to beekeepers everywhere. It was gratifying, but the fight is probably not yet over. I have always tried to find a succinct description of the kind of publication APIS really is. It is not meant to and cannot compete with the established big three beekeeping subscription publications in the U.S. It was Kim Flottum, editor of Gleanings in Bee Culture, who put his finger on it. APIS seeks to write "around the edges of beekeeping." This is more than food for thought; it provides one reasonable answer to the question: why publish one more bee newsletter? We have now completed our move into the new building in Gainesville. Notice the changed address and added extension number on the telephone. Although physically moved, this is really only the beginning. You can expect to see significant changes in departmental programs, including that devoted to apiculture, as we adjust to the new location. It is certain that Varroa mites, African bees and food safety will still be of great concern to the beekeeping industry in 1991. Although there are plenty of problems surrounding these issues, at least beekeepers can now focus more easily than in the past when they were only on the horizon. And it is important to remember that all of them are manageable in one way or another. It is the decade of the manager, as many pundits have said. And often, the manager's point of view determines the probability of success or failure of a venture. As I said last year at this time while trying to sum up what we might expect in the 1990s, "It will depend on whether those involved (managers and beekeepers) perceive their cup as half empty or half full." 1991 4-H ESSAY CONTEST It's time again to enter the 4-H Essay Contest sponsored by the American Beekeeping Federation. Florida has yet to have a national winner; however, the state did have a third-place award won by Mark Dickinson from Tallahassee last year. Only 26 states entered last year's competition which is about normal. This increases the odds greatly for those who do enter. Get out your pencils and sharpen up your brains for this year's event. The topic for 1991 is "Honey Use in My Community." The essay should describe ways honey is sold, served and used in your community. Rural residents can focus on a nearby city, but size of the community will have no bearing on the judging. It is suggested to gather information by looking at: Consumer Use: Do your neighbors eat honey? Why or why not? How much do they use and how do they use it? Talk to the "good cooks" in your community about their use of honey. Retail Honey Sales Outlets: Talk to beekeepers who sell directly to consumers and food stores. Note volume and variety of honey on display. Interview managers about honey sales. Foodservice Establishments: Visit traditional restaurants and fastfood outlets to determine if honey is available on request, is routinely offered with certain menu items, or is not available. Interview managers about the establishments' use of honey. Don't overlook your school's foodservice (cafeteria). Food Manufacturers: If there is a food processor in your area which could use honey in its products, visit with the manager to discuss the company's use or non-use of honey. AWARDS: $250.00 cash prize to the winning essayist $100.00 cash prize to the 2nd place winner $ 50.00 cash prize to the 3rd place winner A copy of an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping or honey will be presented to each state winner. RULES: 1. Essays will be judged on (1) accuracy, (2) creativity, (3) conciseness, (4) logical development of the argument, and (5) scope of research. 2. All factual statements must be referenced with endnotes; failure to do so will result in disqualification. 3. Contest is open to active 4-H members only. Those who have previously placed first, second or third at the national level are not eligible; other state winners are eligible to re-enter. 4. Essays must be 750 to 1000 words long on the designated subject only. (This limit does not include the references or biographical sketch). 5. Essays MUST be typewritten, double-spaced, on one side of the paper and should follow standard manuscript form. They MUST also include a BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH of the writer, INCLUDING COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND DATE OF BIRTH. 6. All entries become the property of the American Beekeeping Federation and may be published or used as it sees fit. NO ESSAY WILL BE RETURNED. 7. Each state 4-H office is responsible for selecting one winner (only one per state is allowed) to forward to the Secretary's office for judging at the national level. Florida entries should be sent by April 1, 1991 to James Northrop, State 4-H Office, 115 Rolfs Hall, 0321 IFAS, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0321. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ESSAYS BE DIRECTLY MAILED TO THE OFFICE OF THE AMERICAN BEEKEEPING FEDERATION. 8. Winners will be announced by July 1, 1991. OILS AS INSECTICIDES The use of various kinds of oils as insecticides is receiving a good deal of attention these days. They have a number of advantages, being in the main biodegradable, and will not adversely affect the environment many insecticides. An article in the IPM Practitioner, Vol. XII, No. 8, August, 1990, describes a basic stock solution used to kills aphids, whiteflies and spider mites on cotton and vegetable plants. It is one to 2 1/2 teaspoons of a mixture of one tablespoon (15 ml) dishwashing detergent and one cup (237 ml) vegetable oil to a cup of water. A fine spray of this solution is applied to leaves of plants. In summary, the authors say: "...household cooking oils and liquid detergents, available in most homes, provide a safe and economical solution for control of several common insect and mite pests that plague the home gardener. Phytotoxicity may occur on certain plant types such as squash and crucifers." This information may be valuable for beekeepers to communicate to home gardeners. In addition, this solution may also be a good candidate for eliminating unwanted bee swarms. A paper at the latest American Bee Research Conference compared killing swarms by using several materials. Water and detergent mixed sixteen to one worked well; however, use of detergent has been criticized as polluting the environment. In many communities there are strict regulations concerning the disposal of "gray" or soapy water. By mixing in vegetable oil, the amount of detergent used can be reduced. It should be emphasized that although this technology is promising, it is technically not legal to use either detergents or vegetable oils as insecticides. The reason for the above paradox is that both materials are not registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this use. Thus, it is illegal even to recommend the use of these materials. This is a classic "catch 22" that must somehow be resolved as registration of these materials is highly unlikely. It takes at least $150,000 for filing fees and much more money to run the appropriate tests required by EPA. There is little incentive to spend this amount on a relatively inexpensive product just to register its use as an insecticide. ARIZONA'S SWEET BEES The March issue of Arizona Highways has a piece on the honey bee, entitled, "Arizona's Sweet Bees." The striking part of the this article is the profuse use of color pictures. Bees are shown inspecting foundation, probing flowers and chewing their way out of the comb as they achieve adulthood. The information is also refreshingly different than in most articles of this nature I've seen. For example, the Goulds at Princeton are quoted as saying that the honey bee is as advanced an organism as the human on its side of the animal family tree which includes 17 phyla, the arthropods (and insects) being dominant. On the other side, where humans are at the top, 4 phyla are represented. One cannot but wince a little at at the hubris in the statement attributed to the Goulds, however, "...whereas humans are the most highly evolved species on our branch. To look at honey bees, then is to see one of the two most elegant solutions to the challenges of life on this planet." Steve Buchman at the Carl Hayden Bee Research Laboratory also is quoted as describing honey bees' bodies as "living Swiss Army knives." This image brings to mind the quaint Christmas flick now at many theaters, Edward Scissorhands. Maybe bees and humans aren't all that far apart. With reference to the African bee, the article beats the refrain we have heard for many years, predicting a decline in beekeeping (especially) hobbyists in the sunbelt where many municipalities are likely to introduce stringent laws concerning keeping these insects. In time, however, beekeepers will learn to manage them. As the article concludes: "For as long as we have records, people have lived with bees. There is no reason to believe the honeymoon will end soon." This is a well-written article that many will be able to use as a reference for those calls by journalists asking one to "tell me all you know about honey bees and beekeeping in the next 90 seconds." Sincerely, Malcolm T. Sanford 0740 IFAS, Bldg 970 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-0740 Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190 BITNET Address: MTS@IFASGNV INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU