BBKA News

FREE TO MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION NO.173 OCTOBER 2008 In this Issue The No. 10 E - Petition

Chairman’s Letter 2 Inside Your Hive 2 Members may have become agriculture and the environment. beekeepers be described as an Pesticides and Honey Bees 3 aware of an e petition set up It also stated that Defra industry and be dragooned by the on the Prime Minister’s Office recognises the importance of a government accordingly. Bee Health Strategy 5 website which petitioned the strong bee health programme in BBKA Trustees 5 The response continues Prime Minister to fund England to protect these benefits describing the £192,000 worth of Bee Research at Sheffield 6 scientific research into and takes very seriously any current bee health related Research Campaign News 7 maintaining UK bee stocks. biosecurity threat to the research projects. It also refers to Introductory Genetics 8 This petition was set up by Mr sustainability of the apiculture an inaugural meeting of the Editors’ Exchange Scheme 10 Stanley Sebastian and by the sector. I am sure we agree this is Research Funders Forum which Purity of British Honey 11 close of the petition period it had all good stuff. will take place in early November. Winter Bumblebees 11 been signed by over 4,000 The response continues by The response concludes by Microscopists Corner 12 members of the public. Whilst explaining the current funding of commenting on the number of Queen Performance 14 this is not an official BBKA the National Bee Unit and colony losses and states that it The Buzz of the Chase 15 petition the BBKA Executive is mentions the fact that there is an believes the figures for 2007 were Vespa Mandarina 16 very grateful for the support to ongoing review of expenditure on not significantly higher than Winter Losses 17 the cause of seeking help from all Defra programmes including those experienced in 2006 at Exams 2008 Successes 18 the Government. bee health and that it is not 11.1%. Data from our own National Diploma At the close of the petition possible to give long term winter loss survey shows in Beekeeping 19 period the Prime Minister’s Office commitment on the continuation otherwise. Correspondence Course for then posts its response on the of funding into the distant future Many members will be aware Beginners 19 website. For this petition the for any particular programme. that the BBKA has its own Exam Dates for 2009 19 relevant page can be found on Included in the response is the petition for increased funding for National Honey Show 20 http://www.number10.gov.uk/ bee health strategy and the beekeeping research and the Business Corner Page16488. response notes that this review forms can be downloaded from will include consideration of Allotment Survey 21 The response acknowledges the BBKA website. resource implications and the role 2009 ADM 21 that honey bees are important To date we have over 78,000 that industry has to play in Publicity and Promotions 22 pollinators of crops and wild signatures so please make sure flowers and make an important working in partnership with Education and you have added yours and take a contribution to sustainable government. The government still form around with you asking for Husbandry Co-option 22 seems unable to grasp the fact Audit 23 others to sign up and give us their Hurry, Hurry that honey bee colonies are by support. BBKA Enterprises MD 23 and large kept by members of the Disease Recognition Day 22 BBKA Petition Closes public and in no way can David Aston, BBKA Executive Your Letters 31 October Honey Bee or Honeybee 23 Bee Sting Allergy 23 All forms to Newsround 24 Stoneleigh please BBKA Forum on Line 24 Awards Diary of Events 24 The Robert Hammond Award for the highest marks

BBKA NEWS EDITOR: awarded for the Intermediate Theory Certificate goes to: Sharon Blake, Stratton Court, Smokers in Marshall Pugh, Tattenhall, Cheshire Over Stratton, South Petherton, Whitehall Somerset TA13 5LQ The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers Tel: (01460) 242124 5 November E-mail: has awarded the prize for the best Master Beekeeper to: [email protected] See web-site John Leslie Hanks, Lockerley, Romsey, Hampshire BBKA NEWS ASSISTANT EDITOR: Dr Christine Knott for more details Tel: 07765 130203 E-mail: [email protected] GENERAL SECRETARY: All you need to keep Bees well! Mike Harris, National Beekeeping Centre, National Agricultural Centre, Makers of the f inest Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG. quality Bee Hives Tel: (02476) 696679 Fax: (02476) 690682 Expert advice and friendly service. Prompt nationwide delivery. E-mail: Catalogue and price list available on request. [email protected] tel: 01837-54084 fax: 01837-54085 Website: www.britishbeekeepers.com e-mail: [email protected] www.beekeeping.co.uk Access to members’ area: user name 2bee password 1874am National Bee Supplies, Merrivale Road, Exeter Road Industrial Estate, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1UD

BBKA News - October 2008 1 Chairman’s Letter Inside Your Hive When I first starting beekeeping I seem to recall we were taught that the season was really almost finished at the end of July, whereas nowadays with crops such as We have had an awful summer and the predictions are Himalayan Balsam and the changing weather patterns the that the total UK honey crop will be 25% of the normal bees are continuing to bring nectar in well into September. average. This is not the only problem we face; although By the time you read this however in October it will have many bee colonies are suffering because of the poor finally finished. For those who experienced losses of weather and we know that our bees are suffering similar colonies last winter and early spring I hope you have been problems to those in the USA and Europe. We now know able to replenish your stocks and for those who were able that last year the winter colony losses were about 30% to bring their bees through last winter intact, I hope you compared with 5-10% a few years ago. have had a good honey crop. You can help your bees get through the winter by ensuring Honey has been in the news in the last couple of months, with they are well fed and in good health now. We discussed varroa reports of English honey ‘running out by Christmas’. This makes control last time and will return to this subject in a later article. good headlines, and brings our campaigning to the fore again, Once the honey has been taken off, the colony needs to be but it does have a serious side to it. More and more people assessed to ensure it is healthy. This can be done by shaking the bees off the frames and looking at the brood. Patchy, damp and appreciate local honey and demand continues to increase whilst perforated cappings on sealed brood and dead larvae are an at the same time supply is static at best and has probably indication that something is amiss. Ask your friendly beekeeper declined this year. You hear reports of high prices for honey in to look at the colony if it is this state just in case your bees have specialist stores, but most beekeepers I speak to are reluctant to foulbrood. All may be well but it is always worth checking. put up their prices – they have been supplying the same Once the varroa treatment is complete you can start to feed customers for many years and almost feel embarrassed about the bees with a concentrated sugar solution to make their stores asking for another 50p a jar. I personally rationed my customers up to about 15-20 kg to carry them through the winter. Feeding during the summer – hardly a great example of market forces at should be done whilst the bees are still active and the external work! Perhaps this is another indication that bees and temperature is still warm. If this is left too late the bees will have beekeeping are not a normal industry in this country. trouble reducing the water content in the solution and will leave You will see the report on the continued campaign to fund the liquid in uncapped cells. Food like this will ferment and will research on page 7. Attending several shows and talking to cause the honey bees problems (i.e. dysentery). people about the bees – it was often the case that they During October and November the bees will be settling down mentioned ‘There is a problem with bees isn’t there?’ We have for winter. They will cluster together and keep warm by a public awareness that is really remarkable, something that I exercising their flight muscles (without moving their wings!). This suspect the commercial world would have had to pay millions in generates heat and they are able to keep the centre of the cluster to a temperature of 33°C (whilst there is brood) and terms of advertising and sponsorship to achieve. As a about 20°C if the queen has stopped laying eggs in the depth of consequence whilst we all thought that interest in starting winter. This is an amazing feat but will use a lot of fuel – hence beekeeping must have peaked in the last couple of years, we can the need for plenty of sugar stores. It is said that in really cold see that our courses for next year are already filling up. Interest weather the bees on the outside of the cluster open their wings is even higher this year and now is the time to think how you are to provide yet another layer of insulation to preserve heat. When going to teach these new people, and more critically, how are the bees on the outside of the cluster cool to about 8 °C they you going to get them started with their first bees as early as will move into the centre of the cluster and be replaced by other possible next year. Who in your branch is taking all the nuclei bees. Bees whose body temperature falls below this level through the winter to get them going? become torpid and are unable to warm themselves. They will fall off the cluster and die. This mutual help preserves the colony There is a report on page 19 on the October Forum that the numbers so that the colony is strong enough to recover after BBKA hold each year. This is an annual event to allow winter. associations to bring up items they wish to discuss. It is not a By the way – as autumn develops and the temperatures drop, policy making meeting (that is the ADM in January of each year) you will probably notice many dead drones outside the hive. As but it does help to form opinion. far as the colony is concerned the drones are mating machines The National Audit Office (NAO) is undertaking a value for and during winter there is no need for them. The workers jostle money audit of the National Bee Unit. As part of their work they the drones out of the hive and refuse to feed them. The poor asked beekeepers to complete short survey either on line or by virgin drones die of starvation or cold. A drones’ life is interesting post. The timescale on this was quite short and unfortunately but brutal. If it is successful in mating with a queen it is we did not get advance notice of it so we were unable to put immediately paralysed and dies. If it is unsuccessful, it will live details in the last edition of BBKA News. We did publicize it via well in the hive being fed and doing no work until the winter email and understand quite a few beekeepers were able to comes when it will effectively be killed by its sisters. respond within the timescale. The results of the NAO work will Finally – back to the workers. These will have fed well on pollen be available later in the year. to increase their protein intake during the late summer. This increases the size of their fat bodies (areas inside the abdomen) Finally it is that time of year where we are looking for people to and as their need to fly is considerably reduced, these changes stand for election as a trustee of the BBKA and be on the with others extend the life of the worker from about six weeks National Executive or exam board. I have written about the roles to six months. The ‘winter’ bees keep the colony viable whilst in more detail on page 5. I would urge everyone to consider there is little nectar and pollen available so that the colony can standing – we have a thriving association by virtue of the people return to an active existence in the following spring. This is just involved and we need to keep it that way. yet another example of how well the honey bee is adapted to its environment and, given the chance, is able to survive the hardships the colony faces through the year. Happy beekeeping Martin Smith, Chairman Ivor Davis

2 BBKA News - October 2008 Pesticides and Honey Bees

Insecticides are designed to midge Dasineura brassicae , all of used, what to do when the UK since 2003. kill insects. Because bees are which need to be controlled at poisoning incidents occur, and Fungicides mask pyrethroid insects there is inevitably the time of flowering. advice on obtaining odours a risk that whenever Organophosphate sprays were compensation from farmers. Over the last ten years, there insecticides are used bees bad news for bees Carbamates and pyrethroids have been a total of ten may be harmed. Widespread spraying of are more ‘bee-friendly’ confirmed incidents involving The history of pesticides and flowering oilseed rape with The introduction of less toxic synthetic pyrethroids, several of bees in the UK is reviewed insecticides such as the chemicals changed the situation. which involved tank mixes of by Williams et al 19 and organophosphate triazophos The first chemical to be synthetic pyrethroids with Thompson 17 . In summary, the caused devastating losses of marketed as “bee friendly” was triazole fungicides. By 2003, problem of bee poisoning has honey bee colonies. Attempts to the carbamate insecticide studies were underway to been known about since the reduce problems by spraying pririmicarb, marketed as Aphox. examine the effects of these 1920s. Early problems arose due early in the morning or late in This was accompanied by an tank mixes, and it was to the use of heavy metal the evening, or to shut in bee advertising campaign with concluded 17 that these compounds - particularly those colonies, proved of limited yellow stickers with the slogan fungicides can mask the containing arsenic - in orchards, practicability or effectiveness “Bee friendly - spray Aphox”. repellent effect of the and problems have also occurred due to the high toxicity and This was, however, only suitable pyrethroid, causing losses of with crops such as field beans. persistence of the chemicals, for use on a limited range of bees. Advice to spray operators Matters reached a head in the and the dangers of shutting up crops. The introduction of has subsequently been revised 1970s when oilseed rape began colonies on warm days. synthetic pyrethroids allowed to discourage such tank mixes. to be grown extensively. At first, At this point beekeeping oilseed rape to be sprayed In the last ten years, the major like all new crops, it was organisations set up “spray liaison” without significant danger to cause of bee poisoning incidents believed that there were few schemes. The seriousness of this bees. This class of insecticides has not been due to agriculture, pest problems, but once it was problem cannot be over was originally developed at but due to the poisoning of feral grown extensively, problems emphasised, and I have a copy Rothamsted Experimental Station colonies by pest control with specialist Brassica pests of a 51-page A4-sized “Spray and based on natural operators, especially involving emerged. A particular problem Liaison” publication produced insecticides produced by the carbamate insecticide was caused by the pollen beetle by the Essex Beekeepers Pyrethrum flowers, which were bendiocarb. Improvements in Meligethes aeneus , the cabbage Association, whose members unfortunately very unstable and operator training have led to a seed weevil Ceutorhynchus had suffered serious losses, and short-lived. Synthetic pyrethroids welcome reduction in this assimillis , and the brassica pod which details the chemicals have very low mammalian practice in the last three years. It toxicity, can control insect pests should also be noted that at much lower doses than earlier numerous bee samples in recent compounds, but unfortunately years have been found to are extremely toxic to fish. contain residues of the synthetic Although LD 50 tests [LD 50 is the pyrethroid fluvalinate. These are amount of a chemical that kills not thought to have caused 50% of the exposed animals death of the bees, and are upon a single application] show probably due to Varroa control, that synthetic pyrethroids are but they draw attention to the harmful to bees, in practice they possible long-term effects of can be sprayed on flowering chemicals placed inside crops without harm to bees as beehives. Jackets from £28 they have a strong and Neonicotinoid seed dressings persistent repellent effect, and are not safer than sprays are rapidly broken down on In recent years, there has been Bee suits from £38 contact with the plant cuticle. much concern about a new Data produced by the Wildlife class of systemic insecticides, Incident Investigation Scheme the neonicotinoids, in particular Pullover smocks £38 from its inception in 1981 the compound imidacloprid, 18 to date show that as marketed as Gaucho. These older insecticides such as compounds are highly toxic to Starter packs from £63 Smokers £15 organochlorine and bees, but are used mainly as a organophosphorus compounds seed dressing. In theory, the use were replaced by synthetic of a systemic insecticide applied Leather gloves £9 Hive tools £4 pyrethroids, confirmed poisoning as a seed dressing should be incidents – which peaked at 73 inherently safer than the use of individual recorded incidents in sprays, which can directly 1987 - have fallen to an average contact bees. In France since the of 3 incidents a year over the introduction in 1994 of Gaucho last five years. Numbers of for use as a seed dressing on colonies affected peaked at 692 sunflowers, it has been widely in 1983, and have averaged 16 blamed for losses of colonies colonies a year over the last five and this use was banned in years. There has been no 1999. Its use as a seed dressing confirmed incident of honey bee on maize was banned in 2004, poisoning arising from the but losses have continued. Many Approved Use of a pesticide in scientific studies have been continued on page 4 BBKA News - October 2008 3 Pesticides and Honey Bees ... cont

carried out since 1994, but have blowing onto flowering plants one of the major nectar sources Metarhizium flavoviride applied to Apis mellifera. Biocontrol Science and Technology , proved inconclusive. Field such as oilseed rape, causing to UK beekeepers. Pest control 4, 289-296. experiments, under both losses of colonies. The German remains a major problem and 4: Bonmatin, J.M., Marchand, P.A., Charvet, controlled conditions and in government swiftly banned the the crop therefore remains the R., Moineau, I., Bengsh, E.R., Colin, M.E. (2005) Quantification of imidacloprid uptake extensive multi-factorial trials, use of all insecticidal seed greatest potential threat to in maize crops. Journal of Agricultural and have not demonstrated harmful dressings while the incident was honey bees from insecticides Food Chemistry 53 , 5336-5341. effects on bee colonies 10,2, 6,7 . investigated, but this ban has should the products used 5: Carreck, N.L., Butt, T.M., Clark, S.J., Ibrahim, L., Isger, E.A., Pell, J.K., Williams, I.H. Laboratory studies have now been lifted. Attention will change from those currently (2007) Honey bees can disseminate a produced inconsistent results 12 . now focus on the design of seed employed. There is evidence that microbial control agent to more than one Work has suggested that drills. It should be noted that in certain oilseed rape pests have inflorescence pest of oilseed rape. Biocontrol Science and Technology 17 , 179-191. 11 although levels of imidacloprid 2004, a paper was presented recently developed resistance to 6: Chauzat, M.-P. (2005) Multifactorial in nectar and pollen following at the EurBee Conference in Italy synthetic pyrethroids, but it is prospective survey on bee troubles in France. seed dressing are lower than the drawing attention to the not yet clear how much of a In Proceedings, 39th International Apicultural Congress, Dublin, Ireland, 21-26 August levels known to affect bees, possibility that imidacloprid dust problem this is in the UK. There 2005 . p 76. accumulation in the hive could could be released by pneumatic is no organic oilseed rape 7: Chauzat, M.-P., Martel, A.-C., Aubert, take place, causing behavioural seed drills during sowing grown, partly due to a lack of M.F.A., Faucon, J.-P. (2006) French regulatory scheme and controls for pesticide uses and changes such as disorientation operations. market, but primarily due to residues in agricultural matrices. In of bees 8,9 , but this has not been Although tested for for a insurmountable pest and disease Proceedings of the Second European Conference of Apidology, Prague, Czech demonstrated experimentally in number of years, there have problems. In recent years a Republic, 10-14 September 2006 . p. 80. the field. In addition, there are been no confirmed incidents of number of organisations such as 8: Decourte, A., Lacassie, E., Pham-Delègue, concerns that the seed dressing bee poisoning in the UK from Rothamsted Research have M.-H. (2003) Learning performances of honey could lead to residues devised Integrated Pest bees (Apis mellifera L) are differentially the use of imidacloprid. The affected by imidacloprid according to the accumulating in soils, leading to compound clothianidin has as Management Programmes for season. Pest Management Science 59 , 269- uptake in subsequent crops. In yet not been used extensively in oilseed rape with the aim of 278. general, the scientific consensus reducing insecticide usage in 9: Decourte, A., Devillers, J., Cluzeau, S., the UK. It has occasionally been Charreton, M., Pham-Delègue, M.-H. (2004) seems to be that the major claimed that the Wildlife combination with manipulation Effects of imidacloprid and deltamethrin on losses of bees that have Incident Investigation Scheme of natural enemies and other associative learning in honey bees under semi- field and laboratory conditions. Ecotoxicology occurred in France were not figures are misleading because approaches such as biological and Environmental Safety 57 , 410-419. caused by imidacloprid, but by a there is extensive under- control (see reference 5). We 10: Faucon, J.-P., Aurières, C., Drajnudel, P., combination of other factors, in recording of poisoning incidents, should, however, not assume Mathieu, L., Ribière, M., Martel, A.-C., Zeggane, S., Chauzat, M.-P., Aubert, M.F.A. particular pyrethroid resistant but it is difficult to see why this that all biological control agents (2005) Experimental study on the toxicity of Varroa mites, but the possibility should be so. Any beekeeper are safe for bees; indeed some imidacloprid given in syrup to honey bee (Apis that imidacloprid has more are extremely harmful. Protocols mellifera) colonies. Pest Management Science concerned that his bees may 61 , 111-125. subtle, sub-lethal effects, have been poisoned can contact for testing the safety of 11: Greatti, M., Sabatini, A.G., Barbattini, R., especially in conjunction with their Bee Inspector, who will biological control agents on Rossi, S., Stravisi, A. (2004) Loss of other factors such as disease, bees have been devised 3, but imidacloprid during sowing operations using collect samples free of charge Gaucho dressed corn seeds and cannot be ruled out. Work is for investigation. The analytical the whole area is very much in contamination of nearby vegetation. In underway to study the possible laboratories are capable of its infancy. Proceedings of the First European Conference of Apidology, Udine, Italy, 19-23 September toxic effects of metabolites of detecting very small residues of Conclusions 2004 . p. 119. imidacloprid rather than the chemicals. In recent years only It is clear that for the 12: Maus, C., Curé, G., Schmuck, R. (2003) chemical itself 14 and to devise about 20-30% of suspected foreseeable future beekeepers Safety of imidacloprid seed dressings to honey bees: a comprehensive overview and tests that may be more capable poisoning incidents investigated must expect that the majority of compilation of the current state of of assessing these more subtle have been found to involve the oilseed rape crop will be knowledge. Bulletin of Insectology 56 , 51-57. sub-lethal effects 4,13,16 . pesticides. treated with insecticides. The 13: Rortais, A., Arnold, G., Halm, M.-P., Touffet-Briens, F. (2005) Modes of honey bees Some continental spring 2008 only current major alternative ‘Organic’ approaches are exposure to systemic insecticides: estimated losses were heavy group of insecticides to the amounts of contaminated pollen and nectar unlikely for oilseed rape In Spring 2008, heavy losses of synthetic pyrethroids is the consumed by different categories of bees. There is a view that with the Apidologie 36 , 71-83. bee colonies occurred in neonicotinoids. Since the jury is growing of food using organic 14: Suchail, S., De Sousa, G., Rahmani, R., Germany and Slovenia and have very much still out regarding Belzunces, L.P. (2004) In vivo distribution and farming systems, the use of 14 been linked to the use of a their field safety to bees, we metabolisation of C-imidacloprid in pesticides can be entirely different compartments of Apis mellifera L. related compound - clothianidin must expect that the oilseed eliminated. Although organically Pest Management Science 60 , 1056-1062. (Poncho) - as a seed dressing on rape crop will continue to pose a 15: Thompson, H.M. (2000) Pesticides and farmed land now comprises maize. In the Rhine valley, in potential threat to bees, and we honey bees . Central Association of Bee- about 3% of agricultural land in Keepers; Poole, Dorset. 11 pp. Germany, clothianidin was being cannot assume that the the UK 1, 85% of it is permanent 16: Thompson, H.M. (2006) Assessing the used as a compulsory seed problems of pesticide poisoning toxicity of systemic pesticides to honey bee or temporary pasture, so the dressing on maize to control the in the UK are all behind us. workers and larvae - are additional tests proportion of arable land needed? In Proceedings of the Second serious notifiable pest the farmed organically is actually Norman Carreck, ND B European Conference of Apidology, Prague, western corn rootworm, Czech Republic, 10-14 September 2006 . p. 82. negligible. The vast majority of Diabrotica virgifera . The seed References. 17: Thompson, H.M., Wilkins, P. (2003) Assessment of the synergy and repellency of arable land is thus farmed 1: Anon. (2008) Agriculture in the United dressing was applied at a high pyrethroid / fungicide mixtures. Bulletin of “conventionally” and the Kingdom 2007 . Defra; London. rate in conjunction with other Insectology 56 , 131-134. 2: Aubert, M.F.A., Faucon, J.-P., Martel, A.-C., application of pesticides is likely 18: Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme chemicals, and the necessary Chauzat, M.-P. (2006) Imidacloprid and bee (2007). Pesticide Poisoning of Animals in to feature in its management. mortality in France. In Proceedings of the binding agent required to make 2006: Investigations of Suspected Incidents in Second European Conference of Apidology, Oilseed rape remains one of the United Kingdom . Pesticides Safety the treatment “stick” to the Prague, Czech Republic, 10-14 September Directorate, York, UK. seed was omitted. This resulted the most economically 2006. p. 84. 19: Williams, I.H., Ball, B.V., Tomkins, P.W., important crops in the UK, with 3: Ball, B.V., Pye, B.J., Carreck, N.L., Moore, in dust, which in combination Carreck, N.L. (1993) Rothamsted: Cradle of D., Bateman, R.P. (1994) Laboratory testing of more than 600,000 ha being agricultural and apicultural research. 2. Bee with modern pneumatic seed a mycopesticide on non-target organisms: research achievements. Bee World 74 , 61-74. drills and high winds led to dust grown each year. It also provides The effect of an oil formulation of

4 BBKA News - October 2008 The Bee Health Strategy Response

The consultation period for serious and glaring errors and been inadequately recognised. areas (Bio-security) Defra’s Bee Health Strategy faults which to date, we have Perhaps the key criticisms are • Develop effective strategies closed at the end of August failed to get Defra to see. We that the document makes for controlling foul brood and it is now over to the can but hope that our no provision for ongoing • Develop and promulgate a Minister to take on board the consultation responses will be consultation with stakeholders common set of good comments received from all taken on board. to agree policy, priorities and husbandry principles interested parties. In essence our comments were actions. In the present climate of Once the Minister has digested The BBKA has made a response kept general, but so detailed is concern on the lack of research all comments and published the and you can read it in full by the 45 page document that it is funding, it will come as no final version of the strategy, the going to our web-site. The hard not to get sucked in. In surprise that we have underlined all important implementation development of the strategy has fact, one of our major criticisms the scant regard paid to research stages begin. Here prioritisation been demanding for all involved is that the document is not a funding to fill the major gaps in will be vital and Defra will really and the BBKA has more than strategy, it is far too long, more our understanding of bee have to consult and listen if the played its part in attempting to a wide ranging Government diseases, to enable the strategy strategy is going to deliver. They generate a document of real departmental discussion of to plot a science based future may well have to commit some value. We need the strategy to beekeeping in the UK. There course of development. additional funds and we all be ‘right’ and it contains much is no clear accountability, which The document is guilty of know how open they are to of value. But there are some we believe should be at setting too many priorities - ten that! Ministerial level out of the twenty proposed and the future outcomes. We have set-out six Tim Lovett, BBKA President management, ‘super priorities’ which we updating and believe should be pursued as review of the followed: strategy is not • Prioritise and commission provided for. The further research to address huge contribution gaps to beekeeping • Monitor and investigate education and causes of colony losses through it, raising • Expand options for effective beekeeping varroa management standards, has • Continue to monitor high risk David Heath, MP for Somerton and Frome (on the left) Steve Webb, MP for Northavon Credit: Peter Grudgings, South Gloucestershire BBKA Trustees

A call for people to stand up for bees and beekeeping

Over the years that I have of local and association the public and the media in the events such as the Spring been involved with the BBKA beekeeping. At national level best light for the benefit of our Convention or the National at national level it is you are working for all craft. The publicity you see in Honey Show. noticeable how professional beekeepers not representing the press and media these days From a personal point of view the organisation is becoming. your local area. does not happen by accident. as a long standing, but not This is due entirely to the We need a balance of skills on Management skills – Beekeepers particularly technical beekeeper efforts of those elected each the Executive including: - as we know tend to be one of the benefits has been year and the many people Technical beekeepers – we individuals and it is the meeting with and getting to who help on the many need people who are skilled responsibility of the Executive to know all manner of people who committees that we have. beekeepers to be able to manage conflicting interests for have this one thing in common – Each year a number of trustees understand the issues that face the common good. wanting to further the craft of retire and fresh blood comes in. beekeeping – and for this alone beekeepers today. Educational skills – The BBKA This presents challenges in terms it has been well worth it. Financial acumen – the BBKA has a world class educational of continuity, but keeps the flow works on a tight budget and system and some excellent If you would like to discuss the of ideas and a vitality within the some of the Executive need to teaching and training materials. process of standing, which starts Executive. have financial skills to be able to These need to be kept up to with a nomination in October, This article is a blatant plug for ensure we set budgets and date and relevant. for the BBKA Executive or people to put themselves what is involved in more detail capitation and be able to then There is a time commitment. forward for election to the please contact me by email work within the available We meet around six times a year Executive and the Exam board to ormskirk_beekeepers@hotmail. resources. usually on a Saturday at ensure this process continues. com or by phone 05601 Marketing and presentational Stoneleigh with committee 484388. The over riding requirement skills – The BBKA is the public meetings often on the Friday is a passion for bees. face of beekeeping in the evening before. In addition Do not be backward in coming It is not necessary to have England. This means we need to members of the Executive forward!! ‘worked up through the ranks’ ‘market’ bees and beekeeping to normally attend some national Martin Smith, Chairman

BBKA News - October 2008 5 Bee Research at Sheffield goes from Strength to Strength

Honey bee-varroa-virus scientist’s world-wide to disease expert (Mike) and myself International bee links are research begins understand the complex as the bee-mite researcher. In strong It is about time beekeepers had interactions between various addition there will be two new Although my research over the some good news. In recent years diseases and honey bees and appointments that will help past few years has taken me away bee research in the UK has been provide valuable insights into the conduct the various experiments. from the applied aspects of honey steadily declining for a wide death of colonies at the local and It is expected that taking a truly bees, I have still been involved variety of reasons, but the lack of national scale. multidisciplinary approach over running an international honey funding, which is currently been that this will generate a series of bee disease workshop in Pakistan addressed by the BBKA is a core Purpose-built laboratories for exciting findings and put the UK (see August 2008 issue of issue. However, this trend is about multidisciplinary bee research back at the forefront of honey bee American Bee Journal) and have to be reversed as the Natural The research will be conducted research. active collaborative projects in Environment Research Council in the newly built Environment Mexico, Pakistan and Japan to (NERC) has just awarded Centre that will be completed this In addition to the bee research name a few. So behind the scenes £521,000 to Dr. Stephen Martin, autumn at a cost of £4million. It funding, Stephen and Roger there is a lot going on. Prof. Mike Boots and Prof. Roger will provide state of the art along with chemical ecologists at BBKA research funding Butlin in the Animal and Plant laboratories that have been Keele University were awarded campaign is fully supported Sciences department at Sheffield designed particular for honey bee £664,000 by NERC to study the We fully support the BBKA University to conduct research research in mind and includes a maintenance and source of the campaign to increase research into honey bee viruses over the wooded area where a small chemical recognition system in funding for honey bee research as next three years. Although the number of research colonies will ant societies. This work will also such additional funds will allow focus of the research is to be maintained, as well as a bee be carried out in the bee researchers to utilise the vast investigate the evolution of observation room and other environmental centre and means amount of data that this and virulence using the honey bee- excellent facilities. We will also be that Sheffield is currently one of other projects will generate and varroa-virus associations as a using the UK’s foremost genetic the best funded social insects’ so assist beekeepers to better model system, it will provide facility where most of the viral laboratories in the UK. However, understand their bees. fundamental data on the natural work will be conducted. The we have no intention of sitting history of honey bee viruses and research team is composed of one back and new ideas and funding Dr. Stephen Martin, their effects on honey bees. This of the country’s foremost streams are currently being Animal and Plant Sciences Dept. type of basic research will help geneticists (Roger) and leading exploited. Sheffield University

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6 BBKA News - October 2008 Research Campaign News

100,000 - a Nice Round Number! discussed, hopefully resulting in funding for some much needed top- As August drew to a close and the silly season ended, we flight scientific research. The BBSRC is another major granting body received both good and bad news. which, whilst it cannot predicate funding to bee health research, has Firstly the bad news; it looks like English honey will run out by shown a sympathetic ear to our needs. Christmas, certainly that is what commercial packers such as Rowse Bees and their troubles have been in the news all through the Honey say. Indeed, many of us know that the harvest has been very summer. Our press statements on the 30% winter losses, honey poor this year. The 30% bee losses have been compounded by a shortages and the Rowse funding, have all helped. Coverage has disastrous wet summer during which feeding has been necessary for been regular on local radio and TV. We have also had good pieces in some colonies in July! For those with honey to sell there may be the national press and on GMTV, Richard and Judy, Channel 5 News, some consolation in the fact that prices will rise, but so what. If Sky News, Newsnight and Farming Today and even had output as far honey production is down then so will be pollination; fewer seeds afield as Hong Kong. and berries for wild fauna and who knows Our members have continued to take the what this means for next spring. We will all message to the public, who continue to sign need to feed and look after our surviving the petition with relish. The public ‘gets it’, colonies with even greater diligence this Campaign why not Defra? Beekeeping Associations, winter. Women’s Institutes, Gardening Clubs, But what of the good news? Well, again Numbers Politicians, Town Councils and countless from Rowse Honey, comes a most welcome dedicated individuals having been doing more initiative in that they have committed than their bit to gather signatures. A big £100,000 over three years to the Bee Health thank you to all of you - please keep it up. As Research Campaign. Let us hope that this is £100,000 we go to press we have over 83,000 but the first of many such donations. We are signatures- yes 83,000! in discussion with a number of household Rowse’s Commitment We are now planning to close the petition names which will hopefully yield more and all forms must be sent to the National support. But as was said on Sky TV when Bee Centre at Stoneleigh by 31 October the announcement formed part of a piece 83,000 2008. We then plan to present the petition to on honey bees, the Rowse commitment Downing Street appropriately on Bonfire serves to expose the lack of official research Petititon Signatures Night, Wednesday 5 November. Actually the funding - no way is Defra off the hook! The only fires or fireworks will be beekeepers’ Government’s failure to provide adequate smokers when we assemble in Parliament funding has also been highlighted in the Square to deliver the petition and then go BBKA response to the Bee Health Strategy, of 31st October into the House of Commons to lobby our which you can read more on page 5. MPs. We need a big turnout for this event. It cannot be easy at Defra, or perhaps they Petition Closing Date We hope that members will come from all do not make it so. The National Audit Office corners to this mass lobby. It will be essential is now investigating their performance on to contact your MP to tell them that you are bee health and many members have 100,000 coming so that he or she is there to meet you. participated in the on-line survey that closed The gathering is planned for 1.30 pm and on on 12 September 2008. The survey Target Signatures a Wednesday, because that is Prime Minister’s concentrated on the National Bee Unit’s Questions in the House and no MP worth performance and no doubt a lot of good their salt wants to miss that! Having delivered points were made. The BBKA’s wider the petition we will process the short distance commentary on Defra and bee health was 5 November across to Parliament for the lobby. More probably not quite so complimentary and details will be available through Associations reflected many of the shortcomings Smokers in Whitehall and on the web-site, but make a date enshrined in the Bee Health Strategy. Frankly now and book that ‘cheap day return’. Please we need a new regime if all the stakeholders, which includes Defra notify Mike Harris our General Secretary by e-mail, on behalf of the nation, are to set the right priorities and initiate the [email protected] that you are going to work needed and honey bees are to continue to play their vital attend - we want hundreds of ‘Smokers in Whitehall’ and of course ecological and agricultural role. you must bring your ’ whites’ to wear! We have a number of weeks Looking forward, a number of important meetings and events lie to round of our efforts on the petition - surely we can take that ahead. Readers will recall that through the good offices of HRH number of signatures on to 100,000. That is a nice round number Prince Charles we made contact with the Wellcome Trust. They are and one that I am beginning to like more and more. Keep it up! now organising a Bee Frontier meeting on 10 October, when the Tim Lovett current challenges and scientific responses for bee disease will be BBKA President

BBKA News - October 2008 7 Introductory Genetics for Beekeepers - Part Two

In this second article Graham true and is a result of having mitochondria in the adult derive awarded the Nobel Prize for Wilkin explains more about two forms (or alleles) of a gene from those found in the ovum, their work (see The Double Helix genes, DNA and how this – one being dominant (giving making the mitochondrial DNA by Watson or What Mad Pursuit codes for cellular proteins. rise to an expressed useful for tracing female by Crick, both Penguin Books). characteristic) and the other lineage. The genetic code was elucidated Introduction being recessive (and ‘masked’). However, it is the DNA within not long after. In the last issue of BBKA News ‘But what are genes?’ you may the chromosomes in the nucleus DNA is an extremely long, I explained how Mendel, a monk ask. In this article I will now that codes for the majority of double-stranded molecule, which and beekeeper, discovered the explain a little of what is known proteins. Proteins facilitate a curls up naturally in the nucleus way in which characteristics about genes. wide range of crucial cell in the shape of a double helix (a were passed from parent to Chromosomes, genes and functions and are differentially twisted ladder!). RNA is single offspring. Although his bee DNA expressed in the varied cell types stranded. They are both made of breeding experiments resulted in Genes are unique sequences of of an organism. Proteins chemicals called nucleotides aggressive bee stocks, that had deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) comprise amino acids and they which comprise a ‘base’ with a to be destroyed, his pea located inside the cell nucleus are synthesised on a cellular ring structure joined to a sugar- experiments helped Mendel to in the chromosomes. Each particle called the ribosome, phosphate group (see Figure 3). understand the basic mechanisms chromosome contains many which is located outside the DNA contains only four types of underlying inheritance. He genes. Humans possess 23 pairs nucleus. The coding DNA base: Adenine, Thymine (in RNA described ‘units’, which we now of chromosomes and honey remains in the nucleus, but this is substituted by Uracil, U), call genes that are passed bees 16 pairs. It is possible to when the cell makes protein the Cytosine and Guanine – often unchanged from parents to their visualise chromosomes when coding DNA makes a small referred to by their first letter A, descendents. cells divide, using special stains intermediary called messenger T (or U), C and G (Figure 4). Genes are inherited in pairs – and a light microscope. Between RNA (ribonucleic acid) that A sequence of three of these one from each parent. cell divisions the chromosomes leaves the nucleus and carries nucleotides (or codon) is Sometimes parental characteristics are less tightly coiled and they the code it comprises to the required to code for each amino do not show up in individual cannot be visualised so easily. ribosome. Here, the code carried acid and there are a total of 64 offspring but they reappear The only other cell organelle (or by the messenger RNA is different codons (Figure 5). All in subsequent generations – functional component) that translated into amino acids that proteins are made up of Mendel suggested that these contains DNA is the are then linked together to form different combinations of only traits are passed down through mitochondrion (see Figure 1) – a the protein chain (Figure 2). 20 amino acids. This means that the generations, but may be structure that is of crucial The genetic code most amino acids are coded for masked by more dominant importance in the production The structure of DNA was by several different codons, as ones. We now know that this is of energy in the cell. All determined by Francis Crick and illustrated by amino acid serine James Watson in Cambridge, UK (Ser) in Figure 5. The amino acid in the early 1950s. Both were methionine (Met) starts protein Endoplasmic reticulum Golgi apparatus

Mitochondrion Chromosome Nucleus

DNA Transcription of code

mRNA copy leaves the nucleus Translation of mRNA tRNA with amino Cytoplasm code into protein acid attached Growing protein chain mRNA Cell membrane Ribosome travels along mRNA reading its code Nucleus tRNA brings amino acids, which make up a protein

Ribosomes Figure 2 Summary of how proteins are made within cells. DNA Figure 1 Diagrammatic representation of a simplified cell, within the nucleus contains the code needed to generate a surrounded by an outer cell membrane and containing cell protein, but it does not leave the nucleus. Instead, the DNA organelles in the cytoplasm. These include the central nucleus, code is copied – or transcribed – to a messenger RNA (mRNA) which contains chromosomes - the bearers of our genes, molecule, which leaves the nucleus carrying the code to the which are made up of DNA. Mitochondria perform cellular protein-generating machinery within the cytoplasm. The mRNA respiration and energy production and contain a small amount molecule binds to a cellular organelle called the ribosome, of maternal DNA. The endoplasmic reticulum (er) is either which is able to read the genetic code and translate this into a ‘smooth er’ - a network of interconnecting tubes that make protein. Also within the cytoplasm are small molecules that lipids among other things or ‘rough er’ - so-called because this physically bring single amino acids to the ribosome – these form has ribosomes attached to it during protein synthesis. molecules are called transfer RNA (tRNA) coding molecules. As Ribosomes convert the genetic code into amino acid the ribosome moves along the mRNA reading its code, different sequences, the building blocks of cellular proteins. The er has tRNA molecules are permitted to ‘dock’ onto very specific many functions including transporting proteins around the binding sites on the mRNA and unload their individual amino cell. The Golgi apparatus synthesizes carbohydrates, which are acid onto the growing amino acid chain until the protein attached to some of the proteins. molecule is complete.

8 BBKA News - October 2008 Introductory Genetics for Beekeepers - Part Two ...cont

Phosphate Sugar 5ʼ 3ʼ Base G C A T G + C G T A Sugar-phosphate 3ʼ 5ʼ

Segment of double-stranded DNA Figure 4 Illustration of a segment of double-stranded DNA showing the complementary pairing of its nucleotides: G with C G and A with T and giving it the appearance of a ‘ladder’. a Nucleotide chains and its mRNA code is written as Ala (Figure 6). For always AUG. There is only one even swifter notation each type of tRNA molecule that amino acid can also be 5ʼ 3ʼ brings methionine to the designated by a single letter – G C A T ribosome to start the protein in the case of alanine, this is the chain and this tRNA is also letter A (Figure 6). made up of three nucleotides. Changes to genes Segment of a DNA strand These are the complementary The different types of cells in b nucleotides to AUG on mRNA - an animal’s body are UAC - and it is this specificity in determined by the unique Figure 3 Illustration of the chemical components that make up nucleotide binding that ensures sequence of genes which are DNA. Top panel (a) a sugar-phosphate molecule combines with the correct amino acid is added activated to produce a unique a base (adenine, A; thymine T; cytosine C or guanine, G) to form to the growing protein chain. set of proteins. Genes not a nucleotide. Bottom panel (b) shows a segment of one strand There are three codons on required by a particular cell type of a DNA molecule containing four nucleotides. mRNA that tell the ribosome to are not activated. Occasionally stop protein synthesis – the DNA becomes damaged. This STOP codons (Figure 5). These might be caused by exposure to are coded by UAA, UAG and radiation, chemicals or perhaps UGA (remember this is the by a mistake during DNA The Genetic Code code for RNA so uracil is used replication (during cell division, 1st position 2nd position 3rd position instead of thymine). Once the discussed in my third article in (5ʼ end) U C A G (3' end) ribosome reaches a STOP this series) or repair. Such Phe Ser Tyr Cys U codon it terminates protein damage might result from U Phe Ser Tyr Cys C synthesis and releases the insertion of an extra nucleotide Leu Ser STOP STOP A protein. An ‘average’ protein pair into the DNA strand, Leu Ser STOP Trp G will contain several hundred deletion of a pair or insertion of amino acids. Because writing an incorrect pair. Such damage Leu Pro His Arg U out all the amino acid genetic C Leu Pro His Arg C may have no or little effect on codes in a protein would the function of the protein Leu Pro Gln Arg A be very time-consuming Leu Pro Gln Arg G coded by a gene. In some biochemists have given each cases, however, such ‘mistakes’ amino acid a three- letter can lead to protein loss or a He Thr Asn Ser U abbreviation of their full name, A He Thr Asn Ser C change in its function. Such for example alanine is also He Thr Lys Arg A changes in the DNA coding Met Thr Lys Arg G

Val Ala Asp Gly U A Ala Alanine M Met Methionine G Val Ala Asp Gly C C Cys Cysteine N Asn Asparagine Val Ala Glu Gly A D Asp Aspartic acid P Pro Proline Val Ala Glu Gly G E Glu Glutamic acid Q Gln Glutamine F Phe Phenylalanine R Arg Arginine Figure 5 This shows how the genetic code is produced. All G Gly Glycine S Ser Serine amino acids are coded for by a set of three nucleotides or H His Histidine T Thr Threonine ‘codons’ (made up from U, C, A or G). There are 64 different I Ile Isoleucine V Val Valine combinations of three nucleotides and 64 different K Lys Lysine W Trp Tryptophan complementary types of tRNA molecule. Each set of three L Leu Leucine Y Tyr Tyrosine nucleotides on mRNA is read by the ribosome, which allows a molecule of tRNA that is made up of complementary Figure 6 Each amino acid has been given its own three-letter nucleotides to bind to that genetic sequence – and only that abbreviation and single letter designation (shown in red in the genetic sequence. two columns of amino acids).

Continued on page 10 BBKA News - October 2008 9 Introductory Genetics ...cont Beekeeping Editors’ Exchange Scheme sequence are called mutations. Examples of mutations, which you may be familiar with include Sickle-cell anaemia. Here the mutation causes a single substitution of the amino acid valine for glutamic At some stage in the dim and distant past, it was mooted acid at position six in the beta-globin polypeptide chain of that editors, and hence beekeepers, could benefit from haemoglobin, and this produces sickle cell disease in people who sharing articles and news for publishing in their local are homozygotes (possessing two of the same gene – see the first newsletters and magazines. The stumbling block was postal article in this series). The effect of this mutation is to reduce the costs and, to a lesser extent, coordination. Jeremy Burbidge elasticity of haemoglobin, which causes the red blood cells to of Northern Bee Books (NBB) undertook to handle the co- assume a sickle shape when oxygen tension is low. This shape ordination and fund the return postage. makes it difficult for the cells to travel through small capillaries in The first co-ordinator was Mary Fisher of Leeds BKA, who was the normal way leading to blockage of blood vessels, which eventually followed by Mo Davies of Twickenham & Thames Valley deprives the tissues they supply of a normal oxygen supply and BKA. I slipped into their shoes about eighteen months ago when produces a variety of symptoms. Cystic fibrosis is another example there were some twenty editors participating, ranging from of a mutation passed on to a child from both parents, but here national, through county, to district levels. The publications were three nucleotides are deleted, which results in the loss of monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly. It was my task to collect the phenylalanine from one point in a crucial protein that makes small packages as they arrived and, when my study floor would take no channels within cell membranes, which are responsible among more, sort and distribute them to the participating editors. other things for producing secretions in the lungs. The mutation Most of the editors had an email address and, after prompting results in inactive channels, which contributes to the thick mucus from editorial activists, I investigated the possibility of an electronic production experienced by people with cystic fibrosis. exchange. This would have the advantage of saving postage both A mutation (or perhaps a series of mutations) may lead to for the participants and for NBB, whilst providing computer files negative, positive or indifferent changes. Over time positive without the need to scan or transcribe. However, from the size of mutations may lead to a more successful outcome for an organism some of the files, it would need a broadband connection to be in its environment. Such changes are the basis of the phenomenon successful. of natural selection proposed by Charles Darwin in The Origin of the So we started a rather clumsy distribution, which became known Species. as eBEES, with editors individually emailing other editors. Then Chris Jackson, editor for Derbyshire BKA, became involved and Graham Wilkin, offered the use of his server, whereby editors send their copy to Wimbledon BKA, Surrey eBEES and it is automatically sent out to all participating editors. Editors from the following associations currently participate in eBEES: Central Sussex Ipswich & E Suffolk Stratford-upon-Avon Cheshire Irish Taunton Derbyshire Ludlow & District Warwickshire Essex (joining) Montgomeryshire Welsh Harrogate & Ripon Scottish West Norfolk Hertfordshire Shropshire Wiltshire Huntingdon Somerton And we invite other editors to join.

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10 BBKA News - October 2008 The Purity of British Honey?

The public accept British risks. With current legislation honey as a wholesome food the storage of comb in this way being free from additives is probably not an offence but and chemical residues. traces in honey are Beekeepers consider their unacceptable and will lead to honey in the same way, but is the mandatory destruction of it? honey both stored and offered During the 2008 season a for sale. honey sample taken as a result One of the problems is that of the screening programme many web sites promote its use incorporated into The Animals for comb storage but it is clear and Animal Products that we all need to store comb (Examination for Residues and by other methods. Generally Maximum Residue Limits) comb that has no organic Regulations 1997 proved matter in it is safe as wax moth positive for Naphthalene larvae cannot survive on a wax E6631and Paradichlorbenzene diet alone. However any comb E680 (PDB). This is the third that has pupal cases or pollen in positive sample for these it will be susceptible. Storage of chemicals in two years in such comb is questionable but a comparatively small placing comb in a deep freeze programme. Today, both in the for two days will kill all the life UK and other EU member stages of wax moth. B401 is states, no trace of these also effective. Any stored comb chemicals is permitted in honey. should be checked on a regular Imported honey has basis, say once a month, for any occasionally tested positive for signs of infestations. PDB or Napthalene resulting in British honey has an excellent its immediate exclusion from reputation, we must keep it the EU food chain. that way; negative publicity Traditionally beekeepers have about chemical residues will stored comb using PDB crystals destroy its good reputation. but today this chemical is Richard Ball, considered to present health National Bee Inspector Winter Bumblebees

As autumn approaches, the last few tired bumblebees can be seen scavenging for nectar on michaelmas daisies and willowherb. They are males and workers, often sun bleached with age, and they will not have long to live for unlike honey bees, bumblebee nests die off completely in winter . Only the new queens survive the winter, and they have already disappeared into hibernation. They hatched back in the summer, as early as May in some species, and would have eagerly feasted on pollen stores in the nest to build up their fat reserves. After a week or two of this they left their nests, quickly mated, and entered hibernation (in some species as long ago as June). They are now hibernating a few inches below the soil surface, having burrowed down anywhere where the soil was loose, often choosing mole hills. They will stay there for up to nine months, emerging next March or April. The only exception to this is the buff-tailed bumblebee, Bombus terrestris , which since the late 1980s has been seen throughout the winter months in southern England. They appear to have adapted to mild winters and the availability of winter-flowering exotics such as Mahonia by giving up hibernation. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust is trying to track the spread of this phenomenon, which has currently reached the Midlands. Anyone seeing bumblebees in December and January in northern England or Scotland is encouraged to email their sighting to [email protected]. Professor Dave Goulson, School of Biological & Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA Tel: 01786 467759 www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

BBKA News - October 2008 11 Microscopists Corner - Nosema

Last winter a lot of spring weather that made identified in 1907. It is one of filament and inject the nucleus beekeepers, myself included, foraging impossible for an 1500 species of microsporidian through it into an epithelial cell. lost more colonies than is unusually extended period. To which have been identified and The parasite develops and usual. Some of our members named, there are almost multiplies in the cytoplasm of sent me samples asking for certainly many more. the host cell and the spores (new help and gave descriptions of For the biologists among spores) form after about five crawling bees unable to fly us, microsporidia are days. These cells (with their and also descriptions of very recognized as a distinct spores) are sloughed off as is dead colonies. Phylum - Microspora normal and pass into the Of the samples I received, Sprague 1977 and based rectum. All the cells of the mid- when examined under the on molecular data they are gut are eventually parasitized. microscope they all had one presently ranked among (‘Honey bee Pathology’, Bailey thing in common, a profusion of fungi. They are unicellular, and Ball). nosema spores. At just about intracellular parasites. Turning now to the more this time I received photocopies Only four species of of two articles from the Fig. 1. Nosema apis spores leaking from micrrosporidian are American Bee Journal on this an epithelial cell. From the NBU website thought to infect very subject. Whilst nosema as pollinating insects and compound the ill effects of what we have known it has been only two of these are, so far as is quite clearly a succession of around for a very long time, the I have been able to determine, seasons which produces American articles did contain are of significance to conditions that are very difficult some information that was new beekeepers. to me and led me to other data for honey bees to cope with, we • Nosema apis Zander 1907 on the web. There were also have varroa! infecting Apis mellifera; also two interesting micro So, I hear you say, quite how photographs of Nosema apis does this result in colonies • Nosema ceranae Fries et al., 1996 normally infecting Apis Fig. 3. Nosema apis spores. Average size 6-7 and Nosema ceranae spores collapsing with very heavy micrometres long x 3-4 micrometres in which could be downloaded ‘nosema’ infestations – and cerana. diameter. Note that some spores are miss- from the National Bee Unit what is this disease anyway? The second of these, Nosema shapen which makes the identification by microscopy of a mixed N apis/N ceranae (NBU) website: In order to refresh my memory ceranae has recently spread infection difficult. Image from the NBU http://beebase.csl.gov.uk and to obtain up-to-date world wide, has ‘jumped website. Members interested in the thinking on the subject I looked species’ and is a serious differences in shape should refer up ‘Honey Bee Pathology’, the emergent pathogen of Apis recent work of Spanish to the NBU website – but please writings of Dr Bailey and his mellifera . researchers and drawing on see my later comments on spore Nosema apis develops within some of the information shapes. the cells of the epithelium of the contained in a series of articles First the ‘straws midgut of the adult bee. Many on Nosema apis and Nosema in the wind’, the research workers have looked ceranae published in the anecdotal for its spores in tissues other American Bee Journal earlier this evidence that we than the midgut but have year, I have extracted the really ought to usually found nothing. Infected following pay heed to bees live only about half as long information: when we have as non infected individuals in Nosema checked and colonies in spring and summer. becomes a verified its basis. For infected bees in winter the problem A beekeeper of rectal contents of infected bees when newly many decades gains weight more rapidly than emerged bees experience has uninfected individuals, so the ingest spores. been fairly infected bees become dysenteric When this recently quoted happens the earlier than uninfected Fig. 4. Nosema spore as saying that in individuals. Spores are spread in infection showing internal his experience the feacal matter of adult bees ‘messes up’ structure. exceptionally and are ingested by young their ability to heavy winter Fig. 2. Microsporidian ejecting polar filament. digest pollen and thus prevents The filament acts as a hypodermic enabling the individuals when they clean losses had taken spore nucleus to be injected into an epithelial cell. contaminated combs. Bees are them from ever developing their place when cold Larsson 1981. From the NBU website. more likely to defaecate within hypopharyngeal glands. The life wet summers the cluster during late winter spans of infected young bees were followed by cold wet colleague Brenda Ball, also after long confinement because can be reduced by up to 78% winters and in turn by long cold the web presentation by the weight of their rectal plus they are unable to feed wet springs (the italics are mine). Dr Ingemar Fries, Department of contents then increases rapidly. brood! At this point the death An NBU graph I saw supports Entomology, Swedish University The spores are ingested by rate of the bees exceeds the this. So, we have weather which of Agricultural Sciences , the bee and are passed quickly birth rate and the colony made it difficult for our bees to Uppsala, Sweden, which has into the mid-gut by the collapses. gather adequate stores last been published much more proventriculus. As soon as they From Dr Ingemar Fries: ‘Under summer, followed by the usual recently. enter the mid-gut they each conditions where old infected unhelpful winter and finally Nosema apis Zander was extrude their hollow polar bees must rejuvenate the continued on page 13 12 BBKA News - October 2008 Microscopists Corner - Nosema ...cont production capacity of their he writes: ‘Noseama apis. I have hypopharygeal glands – nosema no experience of this disease so disease may be devastating’. far as I am aware, though there Nosema is known to be is very little doubt that some present normally at a low level spring dwindling and some in almost every colony and is winter casualties may be caused also known to be a stress by it………I should say that the disease. From the foregoing best way to guard against loss information obtained from the from the attacks……….is to see quoted sources and researchers, that our bees are kept dry and the likely course of events well fed and cared for, and that following the summer – winter only sound strains of good – spring, 2007 – 2008 was stamina are bred from.’ We do probably: a shortage of stores it seems have a choice of placed the bees under approaches in prevention, Mr nutritional stress. The presence Manley’s and/or Fumidil B - and of varroa mites (virus infection to add the up to date twist, a vectors) would be a further low varroa population. cause of stress. Nosema We can not leave the subject infected bees became of Nosema without reference to dysenteric and spread the what our American friends refer infection throughout the to as ‘the new kid on the block’ colony. The bees which would ie Nosema ceranae. Previously a normally nurse and feed the parasite of the eastern honey new generation are unable to bee it is now widespread and do so because of damage to has been found in UK. Spanish their hypopharyngeal glands, researchers believe that ceranae caused by the infection. The is more virulent than apis. long cold wet spring made Unlike apis which is a foraging almost impossible. The winter/spring disease, ceranae is results we all know about. reported to be a summer So what can be done to help disease – so we must take heed infected colonies and hopefully and attend to our routine prevent nosema disease? inspections. Mixed infections of Fortunately there is an effective apis and ceranae are possible. antibiotic, Fumadil B which can Note that the positive be added to the autumn feed as identification of ceranae spores a preventative (please refer to by microscopy in a mixed the product information for infection is difficult due to the dosage etc.) or can be given to usual presence of mis-shapen an infected colony in spring, apis spores which bear a strong mixed with syrup and sprayed similarity to ceranae spores. See directly onto the bees if they are Fig.3. to weak to go up to a feeder to Nosema has been researched collect it. We must of course by many scientists for over a ensure that any honey that may century and as a result there is a be contaminated with an very extensive body of antibiotic product does not get information some of which I into the human food chain. It is have drawn on for this article. also necessary to ensure that Source references I have given our colonies go into winter with in the body of the article. I Hope a minimal varroa population! that it not only helps members To leave the subject of to manage their colonies but prevention and cure without also stimulates interest in the reference to the writings of R. cause of the disease. Dr Bailey O. B. Manley would be an error. and his colleague Brenda Ball Manley was a commercial give much information on beekeeper who depended on Nosema in their books ‘Honey beekeeping for his living for Bee Pathology’ both first and twenty years between the wars second editions and further and whose opinions are I information will be found in believe still well worth paying Morse and Flottum’s ‘Honey Bee heed to. In his book Honey Pests, Predators and Diseases’. Farming published in the 1940’s For recent work on the subject continued on page 14 BBKA News - October 2008 13 Queen Performance

History programme in Excel that indicated broken down the problems into worldwide are now agreeing I have been involved in that bees in their natural two groups, and given below the there are major problems. It is beekeeping since 1963 and at environment could not survive for most common ones that occur. not confined to home reared one stage kept 130 colonies. I long with such a high failure rate. Before laying queens as many who have had a spell without bees for I included information I thought Queens not emerging because imported queens are reporting about fifteen years, though I would be relevant to a new queen there are decomposing pupae or ‘disappearance’, early supersedure, kept a close contact with my heading a colony. This included dead queens in cells, some or queens quickly turning into local Beekeeping Association, the number of swarms and casts developing as far as having wings. drone layers. and kept up to date with given off by a colony, the Some queens that emerge have I attended the 2008 Irish developments including varroa. wintering success rate of colonies, deformed abdomens and/or Summer School at Gormanston I returned to beekeeping in swarms, and casts, how long a wings, and clearly cannot fly. I and many beekeepers there were 2002 and was given five queen lives before being believe these are not noticed by reporting the same experiences as colonies from various sources. I superseded, and the success rate beekeepers who think the queens me, yet in 2006 nobody was. It is have always raised my own of mating. I know a simple have emerged, and assume they difficult to understand if they have queens with a high success computer programme is not are lost on their mating flights. experienced the problems later rate, but when trying to raise particularly reliable, but it does Most beekeepers are amateurs, than me or not. queens for these colonies I show what can happen when you and are not constantly looking at Recently I have had many experienced difficulties I did lower the success rate of their bees, which is what is reports of bees swarming without not expect. Further efforts also successful mating. advised when virgin queens are in leaving queen cells, but when I tell gave a high failure rate. a hive, so when an inspection is I accept that everything I have the beekeeper to inspect every done any evidence has been lost. In 2004 I wrote an article for reported will happen naturally, frame they usually come back and BBKA News highlighting the but what I am seeing is way After laying say they found one, or problems I had been experiencing. beyond that level. At one stage I It has always been accepted that occasionally two queen cells on I have written several articles for would have expected in excess of queens from prolific races will live outside frames. These are clearly magazines, and have a document 90% success rate from a sealed for around three years, and those supersedure cells and the colony on several websites including queen cell, but now it is way from non prolific races for four – has swarmed on them. There are http://www.davecushman.net/ below that, although figures are five years. It is normal for colonies now an increasing number of bee/rogerpatterson.html I have difficult to provide as some to supersede their queens at the swarms where the queen is either also given lectures. problems occur after a queen end of this time in the autumn superseded or ‘disappears’ very Initially there was a lot of starts to lay. Those who have only where one or perhaps two queen quickly, and I believe these have scepticism, and the usual excuses recently come into beekeeping cells are built, and duly emerge for come from colonies that have such as bad weather and bird are not aware of the high success the queen to mate and lay swarmed on supersedure cells. rate we used to have, and easily alongside her mother for a time, predation were put forward, but I On three separate occasions in knew the failure rate was far too accept what they have known. often being seen together in the following spring. Before the 2008 I have seen large colonies high for that. I made a For ease of explanation I have current problems summer where the queen appears to be supersedure was extremely rare. laying well, but with one emergency cell. There is no logical Microscopists Corner - It is now rare for a queen to see reason for this. On several two seasons The queens that occasions I have seen small round appear to mate well and lay queen cells about the size of a Nosema ...cont ‘perfect’ brood are usually marble with an egg in them. If a superseded well within this time, queen appears to be laying well and many within weeks, the web is a very rich source of information – try and these cells appear I can only supersedure cells often being built assume they are laid by her and http://www.dipucordoba.es/medioambiente before the first brood is sealed. /pdf/XJornadasApiPonencia01.pdf as a starting point and the NBU not a worker. There are a few Queens have taken to website. other issues here, under what ‘disappearing’ and one of two impulse are they built? why would Summer 2008 seems to be following the cool wet pattern of things happen, either the colony a proper queen cell not be built? 2007. If spring 2009 is similar to spring 2008 then our bees are will build emergency queen cells is the egg haploid or diploid? and likely to have similar problems all over again. or not. The latter suggesting the how will it be fed when it hatches David Rennison, Harrogate and Ripon BKA queen instantly goes off lay, but into a larva? Whatever the stays in the colony for at least a reasons it is doomed to failure, so week before ‘disappearing’, as a complete layman I am leaving the colony queenless and thinking the pheromones are with no hope of raising one. In my somehow being interfered with. BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD experience it is rare that the I regularly receive messages and Specialists in Microscopy timing is right for a queen to be I quote from one:- ‘I just thought I We offer a large range of Dissecting damaged during the previous would enquire about your queen & Compound Microscopes inspection. rearing successes this year. Here Quotes given Some queens are laying a in Wiltshire I have had poor To suit any budget variable amount of drone eggs in success at natural mating and For worker cells. The amount can vary several colonies have gone Image Capture & Insemination Systems from the odd few to 100%. This queenless when they should have For a full colur catalogue send to can happen at any time, often been thriving. Many colonies Brunel Microscopes Ltd, Unit 2 Enterprise Centre after an apparently good queen have started to raise replacement Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate goes off lay. queens when they are not built up Bumpers Way, Chippenham, SN14 6NQ The Current Situation to sufficient strength. I started off Tel: 01249 462655 Fax: 01249 445156 There are now regular references another round of queen rearing [email protected] in the bee press to poor queen on Sunday using my Jenter cage www.brunelmicroscopes.co.uk performance, and many people continued on page 15

14 BBKA News - October 2008 The Buzz of the Chase

Scientists from Queen Mary, laboratory, combined with animals: from bees and bats to The results showed that GP University of London are computer model simulations, great white sharks. ’ can be used to find the nest helping to perfect a they could use GP to distinguish The research is also of interest entrance, from observing the technique used to catch between different types of to criminologists, as the locations of the flowers that serial killers, by testing it on foraging behaviour. experiments can be used to test bees visit. This has implications bumblebees. GP relies on two things; the the GP technique - something for bee conservation. In future, GP could be applied to help Geographic profiling (GP) is a fact that most serial crimes which is impossible to do with locate bee nests, or areas of technique used by police forces happen close to the killer’s criminals, for obvious reasons. potential nesting habitat – a around the world to help them home; and that the killer’s home The results of the laboratory valuable tool for reversing the prioritise lists of suspects in is surrounded by a ‘buffer zone’ experiments allow the numbers of rare or endangered investigations of serial crimes. It - an area where the opportunity criminologists to perfect their bumblebee species. uses the sites of a serial killer’s to commit a crime is GP technique, and predict the crimes to predict where killer is comparatively low. These two serial killer’s location with more Nigel Raine most likely to live. parameters allow criminologists accuracy. to create a geoprofile, which Although GP has been applied Reference: Dr Nigel Raine and Dr Steve Le shows the areas where the killer to bat foraging data by two of Raine, NE, DK Rossmo, SC Le Comber, from Queen Mary’s is most likely to live. The more the authors, this bee study is the Comber. 2008. Geographic profiling School of Biological and accurate the GP model – the first time that the assumptions applied to testing models of Chemical Sciences, along with bumble-bee foraging. Journal of the more precise the geoprofile and of GP technique have been Kim Rossmo, the former Royal Society Interface: the quicker the police can track tested using an experiment. This detective who invented the doi:10.1098/rsif.2008.0242. down the killer. study suggests that bees could technique, have used GP to The paper is freely available from To explain: ‘GP is interesting to create their own ‘buffer zone’ the journal website: examine the foraging patterns biologists because it can tell us around the hive where they do http://journals.royalsociety.org/ of bees. which strategies animals use not forage, to reduce the risk of content/a645708212j7k78m/ The team found that by when foraging. The approach predators and parasites locating ?p=0d2ab2b6a063442daf0584355 observing bees foraging in the works well for very different their nest. 1e09e38&pi=0

Queen Performance ...cont

and the queen had not laid up the Advice to Beekeepers • Try and get queens to emerge and a nucleus, and only one has a cage by Monday evening, despite There is no doubt in my mind into cages so they can be laying queen. One has been the colony being fed. Not that that we have to be much better checked before releasing. queenless for ten weeks, and unusual, so I left her another day beekeepers than we were a few • Keep spare queens in nuclei several attempts to introduce a and last night found her dead in years ago. We must know what • Keep simple records. An queen cell have failed. the cage. She was alive and should be happening in our example of a printable one In my view the situation is kicking the previous day and I did colonies, and be able to put can be found on worsening which is supported by not handle her apart from lifting things right by using our www.wgbka.org.uk the cage frame out of the hive to knowledge. Some of the things I the messages I have received. My losses for 2007/8 winter were check on progress. A curious have highlighted will not be found Conclusion 50%, which is my highest ever, year.’ in books, and neither will be the I consider myself to be a good and many of the colonies had a answer, so may I suggest that all practical beekeeper, and so are Suggested Research Areas history of queen problems in beekeepers do the following as a those I am working closely with. I I believe the reasons for queen autumn 2007. I suspect many of minimum:- currently have around thirty failure are very complex and one the overall winter losses were due • Clip and mark all queens. colonies, and look after around symptom may have several to failed queens, which was not This is to prevent them twenty for my local BKA. Overall I causes. There have been several swarming on supersedure cells noticed by the beekeeper, and the have close contact with at least theories put forward, and I believe you may have missed, and to blame was placed elsewhere. one hundredcolonies. At the time we should be careful not to be able to tell whether the of writing (1 August 2008) one of Roger Patterson dismiss anything too quickly. queen you see at this I am a practical beekeeper inspection is the one that was our members has four colonies [email protected] without a scientific background. I there at the last. am merely trying to highlight • Make inspections at least every  Bee Books  Bee Boxes  Bee Posters  BE WITH IBRA  problems, not solve them, but fourteen days, as some of logic suggests the following these problems can appear From Beekeeping to Bee Science should be investigated:- very quickly. Visit the IBRA Bookshop for all your • Nutrition of both larvae and • Inspect every frame in the reading requirements and much more …

adult queen. brood chamber and look for www.ibra.org.uk • Viruses that may be the odd supersedure cell. No transferred through the egg longer can we look at three or from either parent, or varroa. four frames in the centre of the IBRA’s latest publication is a touching & personal tribute brood chamber, see no queen to the late Dr Eva Crane. A fascinating read but we only • Drone potency. have limited stocks. cells, and close up. £9.50(plus p&p) • Pheromones. • Check for eggs at every • Transmitter emissions. inspection. Tel: 029 2037 2409 • Chemical levels in wax and • Look for an unacceptable Email: [email protected] IBRA, 16 North Road, Cardiff, CF10 3DY food. number of drones in worker cells.

BBKA News - October 2008 15 Vespa Mandarinia

The Giant Asian Hornet this is the largest hornet of all. Natural History Museum (UK) A modified queen excluder It was a warm, but overcast The creature I saw and the size I states that v.mandarinia ‘is at could help keep hornets out morning, towards the end of estimated it to be fitted into this present confined to Japan and There is no single way to avert May 2008. I had my arms ‘gigantic’ category! I used all of surrounding areas and will not be an attack, because there are so brimming with old cartons my skills and training to take a making an appearance in the UK many variables such as, hive and cardboard as I flitted clear memory home with me in in the near future.’ design, the size of the bee colony, around my local recycling order to research it properly. To (http://www.nhm.ac.uk/about- climate, location and so on, but centre . Coming from a the best of my knowledge and us/news/2007/may/news_11635. basically a way needs to be found background and training in ability I believe I encountered a html ) I believe he is referring to that allows each hive to not only wildlife husbandry and queen vespa mandarinia at the any naturally occurring migration be able to defend itself from the conservation and being a recycling centre that day! patterns for the species. It is, usual predators such as mice, and nature photographer, I find I Imports from the Orient – however, entirely possible that wasps, but now potentially also will often catch things out of honey bees beware! this hornet could be inadvertently from the Asian hornet. Using just the corner of my eye whilst I There are several timber brought into the UK through a winter entrance as a defence am out and about - and today merchants in the surrounding imported oriental goods at any would not be enough because was to prove no exception! area and many of them import time, as happened in France. these hornets are experienced at As I stood by the metal skips wood from the Orient. Dave Bee Defences killing bees very efficiently. A dutifully discarding my rubbish, Knight from Timbersource near Japanese apiarists begin to possible short-term solution, something unbelievably large Frome told me that in his 25 protect their hives from the Asian should an Asian hornet be meandered past my ear. I had years in the timber industry he Hornet towards the end of suspected in your locality, could never seen an insect of this type has witnessed several unusual August until late autumn, the be to use a winter entrance quite this size before. insects arriving with imported time frame that these predators covered with some form of mesh timber. He says that although he are most often seen. Beekeepers (akin to the 4mm holes found in A giant Asian hornet buzzing is no expert, he has seen large install wasp traps at their the mesh of a queen excluder) around the recycling centre? that still allows movement for the If you have ever seen the USA bees but blocks the entrance to military aircraft, the Lockheed C- this larger predator. A more 5 Galaxy, whose sheer size defies permanent solution would its ability to become airborne, require a greater experience and you will perhaps understand understanding of beekeeping what I mean. The head of the than I am able to offer. hornet I saw was a vibrant I cannot prove that the Asian orange and its body more of a hornet has arrived in the UK - dark chocolate brown than the although it is probably only a terracotta and yellow shades of matter of time before it is found our native species of hornet – in this country. The purpose of vespa crabro. I watched the writing this article is to alert the hornet hovering for a few beekeeping community to what I seconds before it disappeared. It saw that day and to the was huge, so huge that I felt possibility that the Asian hornet compelled to investigate it Photo: vespa mandarinia – JL Renneson ©2006 may have now reached our further. My searches led me to a shores. It would therefore, in my species of hornet that is native to hornets that are definitely not entrances to deter attacks. The view, be wise to be prepared for Asia, the Asian Hornet. from this country arriving with oriental honey bee has a means its arrival and to construct some Hornets belong to the insect some oriental shipments. So, of defence against a hornet kind of defence against it. order Hymenoptera. They range anything is possible and an open attack. They mass around the Sally Hamilton Dip.V.Med, in size from around 3cm up to a mind desirable, especially scout, before it has a chance to ITEC massive 7cm. The Asian Hornet because the Asian Hornet direct other hornets to their hive Sally Hamilton has a diploma in can be found in parts of Russia, (whether vespa velutina or vespa and heat up their body vibrational medicine, a wild animal Korea, China, Nepal, India, Sri mandarinia) has a particular taste temperatures until the hornet husbandry certificate and worked Lanka, Thailand and Japan. Vespa for the honey bee. scout dies. The Asian bee can do for many years in Wildlife velutina, is one species of Asian Whereas the European hornet this because it has a higher Conservation. She is a writer, hornet that is currently plaguing feeds mostly upon flies, wasps temperature tolerance than the nature photographer and life skills France, thought to have been and other garden pests, the Asian hornet; however, this is not the consultant with a particular brought into the country in 2004 hornet specifically targets bees. A case with the European honey interest and involvement in the in a shipment of Chinese pottery. scout searches for a hive and bee. They have not developed care and preservation of nature. She runs courses on how to live A queen European hornet (vespa wipes it with a particular scent such a defence against the Asian respectfully with the natural world. crabro) can reach up to 5cm in that signals to other hornets to hornet. length and has sometimes been come and attack. Within a few mistaken for vespa velutina, hours a swarm of just thirty of With grateful thanks to Jean-Luc Renneson for permission to use his simply because of her size. these hornets can totally destroy photograph. Scientific collaborator to the Royal Institute of Natural However, there is a larger species a hive of 30,000 bees. They do Sciences of Belgium (Natural History Museum IRSNB) and the still and it is to this that I now not sting their prey, but use their Agronomic Faculty of Sciences to Gembloux. wish to draw your attention – powerful jaws to crush the bees, http://users.swing.be/entomologie/ vespa mandarinia – the giant and once destroyed, will carry Asian hornet. away the bee larvae to feed their Further information on the Asian hornet can be found at – http://users.swing.be/entomologie/Guepes1.htm own offspring. The vespa mandarinia hornet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUQt6TP2ank can reach a remarkable 7cm in When Stuart Hine of the Insect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDSf3Kshq1M length, nearly three inches and Identification Service at the

16 BBKA News - October 2008 A Personal Experience of Winter Losses

When I started keeping bees cells from May through to July. colonies and 27 of these were the bees are adapting to live in 1999 I was told the chances (As you might expect the honey doing so nicely I sent them to the with varroa? Or could it be of losing a colony in winter yield was low at less than heather too. varroa non-destructor is were less than 10% as long as 2,000lb in total, but that was a In the midst of the doom and gradually taking over from I made sure I got the basics deliberate choice. I was not gloom of big winter losses is varroa destructor? After all, right. So I lavished time on my relying on honey to pay the bills there any room for optimism? successful parasites do not two National nucs (which just yet.) Each batch of nucs and Should we be expecting high usually kill the host. quickly became three when queen cells was kept together, winter losses year on year We do partially understand the one swarmed unexpectedly). resulting in some apiaries without recovering numbers in high winter loss rates. Ineffective Sugar syrup, pyrethroid strips, containing only early mated the summer? This is certainly the varroa control and queen failure and mouse guards were queens and others only late view of the general public after a are certainly both involved. We dutifully applied at the right mated queens. The twelve large amount of media can all learn to combat varroa time. And sure enough spring survivors from the 2006 non- coverage. It is also the worst better and there is always the 2000 saw my three colonies fit oxalic apiary were strong case scenario stick that we are prospect of new treatments and raring to go. Easy! enough to split into 34 new beating DEFRA with in the becoming available, such as And so things continued for a colonies even though they were research funding campaign. But the fungus from the few years. The numbers grew not being treated for varroa at all let us remember it is only a worst Warwick/Rothamsted project. mainly via splits and artificial by now. case scenario. If 2008/2009 Queen failure is trickier but swarms and retrieving swarms By spring 2008, sixty of the losses are ‘only’ 20% then the perhaps aiming to do all that got as far as the next hedge. 180 colonies had died out (33%) whole campaign could lose requeening early in the season Out-apiaries became necessary. but a very interesting pattern momentum because we’ve leaves some opportunity for For expansion I switched to was emerging. The biggest overstated the significance of failures to be rectified before using Langstroth hives, both casualties by far were the winter die-offs. The threats to winter. And of course next polystyrene and wooden, in an apiaries of late-mated queens our bees are real enough but the summer will be glorious queen attempt to dampen the bees with about 50% mating weather and it will urge to multiply all the time. The losses. Often the only rain at night (okay I notion of keeping bees for a queen was present Table of Winter Losses concede that might be living took root and grew too. in February or over-optimistic). By autumn 2005 I had eighty March but no brood Year Spring Winter Autumn Any beekeeper with a colonies and had never lost a and the bees simply colonies Loss % colonies reasonable competency single one over the winter, in dwindled. At the 1999 0 N/A 3 level can produce nucs for spite of the odd woodpecker other extreme, one overwintering as an 2000 305 having a go and a falling tree apiary of thirteen insurance policy. I believe smashing three hives. I was early mated queens 2001 508this is a small but growing starting to think I was the had no losses at all 2002 8015 practice. Plan for the worst beekeeping equivalent of Jose and were very 2003 15 0 31 but hope for the best! Morinho. But that year I noticed strong. It appeared 2004 31 0 51 Homes for surplus stock one or two varroa mites on bees that poor queen 2005 51 0 80 can easily be found in the while the strips were in. Mite mating was playing 2006 70 12 117 spring and will fetch a count was too low to do a a big role. Perhaps good price. 2007 64 45 180 meaningful Beltsville test so I last year’s wet July In summary, my 2008 120 33 198 was content to rely on affected more than experience of heavy losses (Integrated Pest Management) just the honey yield? over the last two winters IPM which meant oxalic acid for The second notable outcome seems to match the national the first time in December 2005. was that the non-treatment link to recent winter losses might averages (at least the BBKA Nevertheless, by spring 2006 I apiary had lost fourteen out of not be very strong. version) quite closely. Locally had lost ten colonies (12%). The 34 colonies (41%) which was a Personally I am cautiously here in North Worcestershire chief suspect was obviously big improvement on the 60% optimistic for the following many beekeepers I know would varroa. loss of the previous winter at the reasons: tell you a similar story (although 2006 saw me turning to same apiary, even though it was In spite of high loss rates, the losses do not seem to relate Apiguard supplemented by now eighteen months since their survivors in the spring tend to be much to skill levels, but that is a winter oxalic acid as the basis of last varroa treatment. nice and strong. There is not a different story). Everyone has varroa control. Rearing queens Unfortunately juggling general malaise. At this moment built their stocks back quickly and buying in another twenty, beekeeping with a day job left in time my bees seem stronger one way or another. It is only the from two different sources, no time for my own queen than twelve months ago. I am honey yield that has been allowed expansion to 117 rearing this summer so I have anticipating the downward compromised ultimately. There is colonies. But that winter was a bought queens again in order to trend in winter loss percentages certainly no room fo r disaster and 53 colonies died expand to around 200 colonies. to continue. complacency, if anything we all (45%), including all the twenty And against all the odds this I am seeing some domestic and need to take our skill levels up a bought in queens. It also years honey yield looks a lot wild colonies surviving and notch or two. However, our bees included eighteen colonies from better, with a pre-extraction thriving without any varroa are not going to die out in ten an apiary of thirty that did not estimate of 7 ,000lb plus treatments (except a mesh floor). years either. It is way too early to have the oxalic acid treatment whatever comes from the This year I have also encountered be getting despondent – I will for some inexplicable reason. heather. What is more, my non- two colonies high in trees where save that for when I see my first In 2007 I expanded from 64 to treatment apiary is almost swarms have been witnessed Small Hive Beetle! 180 colonies mainly by splitting empty. No they did not die - I leaving annually, suggesting they Chris Broad and adding home-reared queen expanded from 20 to 32 are long established. Could it be Worcestershire BKA

BBKA News - October 2008 17 BBKA Examination Successes 2008

Successful Candidates for the Junior Peter Day, Hoxne, Eye, Suffolk Markus Klinge, Windlesham, Surrey Kate Sayer, King's Lynn, Norfolk Certificate Ralph Defty, Westow, York, N. Yorks. David Knight, Wedmore, Somerset Colin Sayer, King's Lynn, Norfolk Jamal Huleatt, Robertsbridge, East Sussex Eric Denton, Hook, Hampshire Bridget Knutson, Cheddar, Somerset Alex Schajer, Hendon, London Phillipa Dodd, Whitefield, Manchester Axel Knutson, Cheddar, Somerset James Scobbie, Colchester, Essex Successful Candidates for the Basic Craig Donlon, Dunsford, Exeter, Devon Gordon Laking, Leamington Spa Marl Selwood, Redruth, Cornwall Certificate Pennie Drinkall, Dolphinholme, Lancashire Hilary Lambert, Ilkeston, Derbyshire Gregory Sharp, Selby, North Yorkshire Paul Abbott, Rayleigh, Essex Bill Duncan, Wrayton, Lancashire Karin Larsen, Truro, Cornwall Barnaby Shaw, Walworth, London Dennis Adams, Salisbury, Wiltshire Patrick Duncan, Nottingham, Notts. David Learmonth, Felsted, Essex Audrey Shead, Dunmow, Essex Stephen Adkins, Chesham, Bucks. Judith Earl, Harrow, Middlesex Graham Legg, Wistow, North Yorkshire Peter Sheppard, St Albans, Hertfordshire Janie Airey, London Robert Egger, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. Malcolm Legg, Thaxted, Essex Kaerron Shimmin, Maughold, Isle of Man David Alison, Tockington, South Glos. C J Ellis, Guisborough, Cleveland Tiffany Levi, Loughton, Essex Patricia Shimmin, Maughold, Isle of Man Gordon Allan, Petworth, West Sussex John Evans, Derby, Derbyshire Hugh Loftin, Winchester, Hampshire Mike Skinkis, Oldham, Lancashire Peter Allanson, Copmanthorpe, N. Yorks. Carole Finlay, Cuffley, Potters Bar, Herts. Deborah Longden, Alveston, S. Glos. Ann Slatcher, South Zeal, Okehampton Jane Anderson, Pulborough, West Sussex Stephen Fishwick, Milnthorpe, Cumbria Peter Longden, Alveston, S. Glos. Ron Small, Hillingdon, Middlesex Stephen Angwin, Nanstallon, Bodmin Christopher Flemming, Basingstoke David Longden, Alveston, S. Glos. Rodney Smart, Colchester, Essex Simon Arnold-Round, Bledlow Ridge Peter Folge, Woolmer Green, Herts. Susan Longden, Alveston, S. Glos. Cherry Smith, Haywards Heath, W. Sussex Jane Arnold-Round, Bledlow Ridge Sarah Foster, South Harrow, Middlesex Jonathan Longstaff, Woodford Green Celia Smith, Nettleton, Lincolnshire Dhonn Atkinson, Havercroft, Wakefield Pamela Foulkes, Stockport, Cheshire Denis MacDaid, Wappenbury Andrew Smith, Brooke, Norwich, Norfolk Matthew Atkinson, Elvington, N. Yorks. William Foulkes, Stockport, Cheshire Dennis Mack, Northolt, Middlesex Paula Stanley, Lydbrook, Gloucestershire Amanda Aufenast, Bawdsey, Suffolk Judy Fox, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire Caroline MacKenzie, Preston, Lancashire Ian Stell, Catford, London Iris Bailey, Winchmore Hill, London Paul Francis, Oakwood, Derbyshire Peter Madden, Stapleford Abbotts, Essex Mark Stott, Thornton Heath, Surrey Maurice Ballard, Halesown, W. Midlands Duncan Fraser, Enfield, Middlesex Patricia Malone, Kendal, Cumbria Valerie Sullivan, Cleator, Cumbria Diane Banahan, Southport, Merseyside Sally Freeman, Little Easton, Essex Carolyn Mann, Leamington Spa Dave Taylor, Finchley, London David Bartlett, Ilkley, North Yorkshire Ireneusz Gajowniczek, Twickenham George Martin, Peterborough, Cambs. Michelle Taylor, Mitcham Junction, Surrey Janet Bates, Ravenshead, Notts. Peter Gardner, Coventry, West Midlands Maslin Paul, Pontrilas, Herefordshire Stuart Taylor, Oakham, Rutland David Bates, Beaworthy, Devon Stephanie Gent, Woodbridge, Suffolk Suzanne Maxwell, Okehampton, Devon Alan Tett, Carnforth, Lancashire Jim Batsis, Ioannina, Greece Colin Gilbert, Bourne, Lincolnshire Derek Mayze, Tooting, London Odette Thomas, Harrow, Middlesex Zacharias Batsis, Ioannina, Greece William Gilmour-White, Nantwich, Patrick McCormack, Wells, Somerset Joyce Thompson, Mexborough, S. Yorks Labrini Batsis, Ioannina, Greece Cheshire Michael McDermott, Bodmin, Cornwall Allan Thompson, Skipton, North Yorkshire Matthew Beardsworth, Northwich, Ches. Calwyn Glastonbury, Gilwern, Monmths. Nick Middleditch, Mathern, Monmouth. David Thomson, Hornsea, East Yorkshire Jeffrey Bee, Rudgeway, S. Glos. Brain Godfrey, Morecombelake, Bridport Margaret Middleditch, Southam Susan Tippin, Southport, Merseyside Tony Bell, Wells, Somerset Julian Gonnermann, London Harry Middleditch, Mathern Nicola Tipping, Redruth, Cornwall Colin Bennett, Dallington, East Sussex Kirsty Gordon, London, Catherine Miller, Thorrington, Colchester, David Titterton, Holbeach Fen, Lincs. Engin Bicer, London Edward Gradosielski, Nazeing, Essex Nicholas Mills, Carlisle, Cumbria Rod Toms, Newquay, Cornwall John Bielby, Scarborough, North Yorkshire Francis Graham-Smith, Macclesfield Ian Mitchell, Evesham, Worcestershire Mary Trace, Lanivet, Bodmin, Cornwall Andrew Blackburn, Barnetby, Lincolnshire Jay Grater, Ilford, Essex Roger Moore, Coventry, West Midlands George Travis, Beaworthy, Devon David Blower, Kenilworth, Warwickshire Jackie Greaney, Hanworth, Middlesex Thomas Moore, Petworth, West Sussex Svenja Trettin, St Albans, Hertfordshire Alessia Bolis, London, Geoff Hall, Rowlands Gill, Tyne & Wear Sarah More, Bridport, Dorset Frank Tyson, Bootle Station, Millom Robert Borrill, Marshchapel, Grimsby Janet Hall, Ingatestone, Essex Jacqueline Mosedale, Bridgwater, Soms. Joseph Van Hoorebeek, Leamington Spa Stuart Brakewell, Scorton, Lancashire Claire Hardgrave, Coulsdon, Surrey Christopher Mounty, Basingstoke, Hants. Fredrick Vanston, Redbourn, Hertfordshire Susannah Brown, Gilwern, Gwent Jeremy Harding, Alveston, S. Glos. Louise Mowl, Fareham, Hampshire Nigel Vear, Ainstable, Cumbria Andrew Brown, Carnforth, Lancashire Iain Harley, Peterborough, Cambs. Alban Mullen, Evesham, Worcestershire Page Vela, Penzance, Cornwall Lynne Brown, Coggeshall, Essex Sally Harris, Stockton, Warwickshire John Munday, Brilley, Herefordshire Sarah Vicker, Rayleigh, Essex Ashlyn Brown, Gainsborough, Lincs. David Harris, Bodmin, Cornwall John Naybour, Ilkley, West Yorkshire Michelle Von Ahn, Tottenham, London Peter Brown, Herne Bay, Kent Christopher Harvey, Downend, S. Glos. Jane Naybour, Ilkley, West Yorkshire Raina Von Ahn, Tottenham, London Peter Buckley, St Albans, Hertfordshire Judith Heal, Melton Constable, Norfolk Alison Nugent, Barnet, Hertfordshire James Walker, Calstock, Cornwall Lisa Buckley, Cheadle, Staffordshire Geoff Heal, Shebbear, Devon Miriam O'Connell, Orpington, Kent Robert Wallwork, Bolton, Lancashire David Buckley, Cheadle, Staffordshire Christopher Heaven, London John O'Connell, Orpington, Kent Brian Watson, Launceston, Cornwall David Buckley, Hough, Crewe, Cheshire Hazel Henry, St Austell, Cornwall Sandra Oldfield, Blandford St Mary Andy Wattam, Bassingham, Lincolnshire James Buddo, Scarborough, N. Yorks. Robin Hersom, Harpenden, Hertfordshire Alexei Pace, Rabat, Malta Paul White, East Bergholt, Suffolk Michael Bunyan, Rudgwick, West Sussex David Hetherington, St Ives, Cambs. Malcolm Padfield, Dewsbury, W. Yorks. Marian Whittaker, Harpenden, Herts. Burgess Jonathan Michael, Bodmin George Hibbert, Bolton, Lancashire Douglas Paine, Kesgrave, Suffolk Jonathan Wilcox, Porthtowan, Cornwall Elizabeth Burns, Newmarket, Suffolk Peter Hicks, Launceston, Cornwall Andrew Paisley, Taunton, Somerset Adrian Wilford, Malton, North Yorkshire Robert Burns, Sandbach, Cheshire Andrea Hill, St Albans, Hertfordshire Trevor Parrish, Saffron Walden, Essex Jack Wilford, Malton, North Yorkshire Andrew Caddy, Camborne, Cornwall Emma Hill, Dunham Massey, Cheshire Sarah Pasteur, Grundisburgh, Suffolk Richard Wilkinson, Wedmore, Somerset Suzanne Caddy, Camborne, Cornwall Patricia Hindle, Bury, Greater Manchester William Paterson, Preston, Lancashire Keith Wilkinson, Kessingland, Suffolk Judith Cain, Port Erin, Isle of Man Craig Hirons, Clavering, Essex Roger Patterson, Horsham, West Sussex Celia Wilkinson, Wedmore, Somerset Richard Challenor, Carnforth, Lancashire John Hoar, Fareham, Hampshire Robert Patterson, Scarborough, N. Yorks. Steve Williams, Wollaton, Notts. Peter Chapman, Scarborough, N. Yorks. Gerald Hodgson, Leyburn, N. Yorks. Terence Payne, Iwerne Minster, Dorset John Winterburn, Harrogate, N. Yorks. Sue Chapman, Carnforth, Lancashire Julia Hoggard, Kendal, Cumbria Gerald Pelham, Woking, Surrey David Wolley, Crediton, Devon Sue Clapson, Herne Bay, Kent Martin Hoggard, Kendal, Cumbria Evelyn Pelham, Woking, Surrey Kay Wreford, Sittingbourne, Kent Colin Clark, Bridport, Dorset Thomas Holland, Skelton, York, N. Yorks. Xuan Pham, Wandsworth, London Graham Wrenn, Taverham, NorwichPeter William Clayton, London Richard Hollinshead, Knutsford, Cheshire Andrew Phillips, Coleford, Gloucestershire Wright, Hornby, Lancashire Karen Clemens, Billinghurst, West Sussex Susan House, Wetherby, West Yorkshire Ruth Phipps, Braintree, Essex Phillipa Wright, Ashton, Helston Peterson Cobbett, Coventry, W. Midlands Mandy House, Kent Luke Phipps, Braintree, Essex Vicki Wyn-Griffith, Ilkley, West Yorkshire Julie Coleman, Canterbury, Kent Linda Howell, Richmond, Surrey James Pimblett, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. Annie Yeo, Saltash, Cornwall Nicholas Coles, Bodmin, Cornwall Martin Howells, Newport, Gwent Richard Polyblank, Brampton, Cumbria Lisa Young, Stotfold, Hitchin, Herts. Pat Colledge, London Peter Hunkin, Saltash, Cornwall Patricia Poole, Alveston, S. Glos. More results in December BBKA News David Connelly, Bulwell, Nottinghanshire Paul Hurley, Bourne End, Bucks. Monty Pugh, Skipton, North Yorkshire Jennifer Conway-Meleady, Whaley Bridge Robert Hyde, Hornchurch, Essex Andrea Quigley, Horsham, West Sussex Successful Candidates for the General Kevin Cook, Loughton, Essex Andrew Ilchyshyn, Coventry, W. Midlands Max Rackliff, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Husbandry Certificate Andrew Copley, St Albans, Hertfordshire Elizabeth Jack, London, John Randall, Wheathampstead, Herts. Richard Bache, Somerton, Somerset Stephen Copsey, King's Lynn, Norfolk Denise James, Bodmin, Cornwall Margaret Rickard, Wisbech St Mary Brain Gemmell, Tilney Fen End, Wisbech Joanne Corless, Morecambe, Lancashire Eric James, Bodmin, Cornwall Vanessa Rickett, Prestwood, Bucks. Marlene Harris, Rayleigh, Essex John Cornish, Wollaton Park, Notts. Ron James, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire Thelma Riddle, Wadebridge, Cornwall Pamela Hunter, Cowfold, West Sussex Rupert Coutts, Bournemouth, Dorset Lelly James, Brede, East Sussex Richard Ridler, Hatfield Broad Oak, Herts. Adam Leitch, Reigate, Surrey Ruth Cowley, Stoke Golding, Warwicks. Ian Jamie, Weston under Wetherley Jane Ridler, Hatfield Broad Oak, Herts. Suzette Perkins, Langport, Somerset. Simon Croker, Skipton, North Yorkshire Robert Jarvie, West Bridgeford, Notts. Malcolm Rittman, Winchester, Hampshire Mike Rowbottom, Otley, Harrogate Edric Cross, Jurby East, Isle of Man Phillip Jepson, Welwyn Garden City, Margaret Rittman, Winchester, Hampshire Jill Tinsey, Dereham, Norfolk Michael Cross, Ambergate, Derbyshire Sidney Jobling, Scarborough, N. Yorks Graham Roberton, Cromford, Derbyshire Alastair Welch, Hindhead, Surrey Lena Crowe, Worsley, Manchester Jennifer Johns, Chingford, London Michael Robertson, Tolleshunt Darcy Successful Candidates for the Michael Cullen, Bexhill, East Sussex Lee Johnson, Dingestow, Monmouth James Robinson, Llanvesnoe, Hereford Advanced Husbandry Certificate Andrew Curry, Wimborne, Dorset Saskia Johnson, Woodbridge, Suffolk Anthea Rogers, Carnforth, Lancashire Kenneth Edwards, Spaxton,, Somerset Robert Curtis, Loddon, Norwich, Norfolk Stuart Jones, Briercliffe, Burnley, Lancs. John Rogers, Carnforth, Lancashire John Hanks, Romsey, Hampshire Ann Cushion, Leigh on Sea, Essex David Jones, Sutton, Surrey Nicola Rogers, Brigg, Lincolnshire Candidates gaining the Master John Dadswell, Wendover, Bucks. John Kearsey, Marsworth, Hertfordshire Dean Roizer, Oakham, Rutland Beekeeper Certificate Ian Danby, Scarborough, North Yorkshire Jane Kember, London, Isobel Rose, Kingstanding, Birmingham John Hanks, Romsey, Hampshire Helen Davidson, Launceston, Cornwall Robert Kenny, Bransgore, Dorset Stephen Rose, Melbourne, Derbyshire Richard Davies, Peterborough, Cambs. Sean Killick, Heathfield, East Sussex Beverley Rose, Kingstone, Herefordshire Congratulations to all these Nigel Davies, Claxton, York, N. Yorks. Kevin Kinchin, Richmond, North Yorkshire Sharon Rout, Ramsey, Harwich, Essex successful beekeepers Elizabeth Davies, Rainham, Essex Tim Kingsbury, Blandford Forum, Dorset Selwyn Runacres, Dunmow, Essex Linda Davis, Chilla, Devon Thomas Kirsch, Purley, Surrey Katherine Rutherford, Norbury, London Val Francis, Exam Board Secretary Barbara-Ann Dawson, Thornton Heath Justus Klaar, Stourbridge, West Midlands John Rutherford, Norbury, Croydon

18 BBKA News - October 2008 National Diploma in 2008 BBKA Forum Beekeeping The BBKA Forum has become an annual event giving representatives from Area Associations the opportunity to meet to share and discuss ideas. The Examinations Board for the National Diploma in Beekeeping The 2008 Forum is being held on Saturday 4 October 2008. are delighted to announce that in the recent examinations the following candidates were successful and consequently have been awarded the National Diploma in Beekeeping, the highest Agenda beekeeping qualification obtainable in the British Isles. We would 10.00 Welcome Martin Smith like to congratulate them on this major achievement:- BBKA Chairman Dr Bridget Beattie, Miramont de Guyenne, France . 1. Dealing with bees other than honey bees Kent Dr Ivor Davis, Congresbury, Bristol. 2. Register – update delay Warwickshire Robert Smith, Rochester, Kent. The Board have recently discussed the format of the NDB syllabus 3. Exam Certification process Warwickshire and examinations, and will shortly be announcing details of the new 4. National Beekeeping Centre usage Warwickshire format. The first examinations in the new format will be held in 5. Internet Registration system demo Exec/Martin Smith 2010. Past examination papers and other information are available 13.00 Lunch Not provided on the website: http://www.national-diploma-bees.org.uk/ An Advanced Beekeeping Course will be held in summer 2009. 6. EFB/AFB site confidentiality Kent This particular course will focus on the biological and pollen 7. Endorsements - Exec Draft Propositions Exec/Martin Smith identification aspects of the syllabus. Details will be advertised in 8. Queen performance West Sussex due course. Norman Carreck, NDB Secretary 16.00 Close Martin Smith

The Honey’s off - So Four representatives from each Area Association have been invited. The Forum is well subscribed and seating will be It’s Time to get out the Books allocated on a first come – first serve basis, so if your association And Book your Modules for 2009 has not yet booked telephone to 02476 696679 or email to: Get the latest reading list and schedule information from [email protected] Val Francis, Examination Board Secretary Mike Harris, General Secretary 39, Beevor Lane Gawber Barnsley South Yorkshire, S75 2RP E-mail: For Beginners [email protected] Or via the web site: www.britishbeekeepers.com Correspondence Course There is a revival in the craft of beekeeping. Many beginners want to start keeping bees. But there is a problem. It appears that many B B N O of the courses in some regions are full. To start up without any For all Bee Keeping Study Notes by Yates, training is very difficult due to the knowledge required to control write to BBNO or contact www.honeyshop.co.uk swarming or pests and diseases and is often doomed to failure. Just reading a few books is not enough. Brown, F Trad. Scottish Honey Recipes Training under the eye of an experienced beekeeper is ideal. If a £4.99 new edition training course is not available you can start to learn the basic The Weaven, Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire HR2 6PP theory by taking a correspondence course under the guidance of a Tel: 01432 840529 remote but experienced tutor. This will take you step by step through the Basic Assessment syllabus. Further details can be found in the BBKA website (Members section - Examinations and Examination Dates 2009 Assessments) or contact Chris Utting 01237 474 500 Chris Utting, Correspondence Course Co-ordinator Module Examinations – 21 March 2009 (Applications in by 10 February 2009) Advanced Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry Central Association of Beekeepers – 20 June 2009 October 30th Talk and buffet Thursday evening, at Honey Show. (Applications in by 28 February 2009) Speaker - Keith Delaplane from USA. "Honey Bee Pollination and Foraging Ecology". £15 entry. General Certificate in Beekeeping Husbandry Contact Pat Allen 01708 220897 [email protected] and Microscopy November 21st-23rd, Stratford Conference. Falcon Hotel. Date by arrangement with the Examinations Board Secretary Speakers - Mathilde Briens (Sniffer Bees), Norman Carreck (Applications in by 28 February 2009. (Charles Darwin – Cats, Mice, Bumble Bees, Old Maids and Clover), Ivor Davis (Living with Pyrethroid-Resistant Varroa), Microscopy Assessment takes place in autumn) Michael Keith-Lucas (Development of Sociality in Bees), Basic and Junior Certificate Julia Pigott (Hive Defence, composition & properties of propolis), Brian Ripley (Adventures in Beekeeping), Date by arrangement with the County Examinations Secretary Jim Ryan (The Contribution of Digges to Beekeeping). (Applications one month before assessment) Contact John Chapple 020 8749 7773 [email protected]

BBKA News - October 2008 19 National Honey Show 30 October - 1 November 2008

National Honey Show Workshops Friday 31 October 2008 10.30 The Small Hive Beetle – an imminent threat? Keith Delaplane Following a suggestion put forward at the 2006 show the organising 2.00 Varroa related losses in the UK – an update Dr Giles Budge committee of the National Honey Show (NHS) have agreed that we 3.00 Propolis: Beneficial properties and uses Steve Ryan hold a number of workshops to assist new or less experienced 4.30 Pollination - integrating native bees with honey bees exhibitors in the art and skills of showing and help raise the general Dr Dewy Caron standard of exhibits. 6.00 Show Closes The format for each workshop will be designed to identify and discuss methods of preparing and improving exhibits for the show bench with Saturday 1 November 2008 either a qualified Judge or an extremely experienced exhibitor. 10.30 Bee parasites and their impact on plants and pollination The workshops will take place in the science rooms but, in view of the Keith Delaplane limited space available, the number of attendees will be limited to 12.00 Beekeeping around the world Clive De Bruyn twelve persons. This will facilitate a more informal discussion and ensure each person will receive proper attention. 2.30 National Honey Show AGM Followed by the Annual Meeting of the National Council Anyone wishing to attend a workshop should register before the and the Draw show by contacting Peter Matthews to be assured of a place on the 4.00 Presentation of Trophies and Awards day. You can book either by telephone 01461 205525 or 4:45 Show Closes E-mail :[email protected]

Workshop Programme Profiles of Speakers Thursday 30 October 2008 Clive de Bruyn has experienced beekeeping in eleven English counties 3.00 Preparing honey for the show bench as an amateur and bee farmer. His extensive experience includes the Peter Schollick , winner of six trophies at the NHS in 2007 National Bee Unit, BBKA Committee, NDB Board, British delegate to 3.30 How to prepare a perfect piece of Commercial wax Apimondia, and bee advisor in South Africa, Nepal, Australia and the Dr Stephen Case-Green Caribbean. Dr Giles Budge has worked in plant pathology research and Friday 31 October 2008 development for ten years. He specializes in using molecular 11.00 How to prepare the perfect photograph Claire Waring diagnostics to answer epidemiological questions about the pathogens 11.30 How to make beeswax flowers Liz Duffin under study. Giles started work at the National Bee Unit in October 2.30 Preparing granulated and set honey Mary Hill, Senior Judge 2007 as the research co-ordinator. Prior to this, he was responsible for 3.00 Introduction to Beekeeping John Hendrie the development of real-time PCR-based diagnostics for bee pests and diseases and the delivery of the European foul brood study. Saturday 1 November 2008 Keith Delaplane is Professor of Entomology and Director of the 10.00 Making Toiletries Dr Sara Robb University of Georgia Honey Bee Laboratory where he manages a 11.00 Preparing honey for the show bench comprehensive programme of bee research, teaching, and public - The art of displays Jill Tinsley outreach. Keith and his students do research on pollination and 12.30 Introduction to beekeeping Chris Deaves integrated control of bee disorders. He received his education at Purdue and Louisiana State Universities. Exhibitors Dr Dewey Caron has been Professor and Extension Entomologist at If you are a first time exhibitor or have not entered within the last ten the University of Delaware since 1981. He has a threefold role: years, you get the first four entries free. teaching introductory courses in entomology, wildlife biology and two You can get the entries to St Georges College in a number of ways - courses on beekeeping, undertaking research into pollination, bee send them by post or carrier direct to the Facilities Department at the mites, bee pests and social insect queen replacement /swarming and College, bring them to Thorne’s at Wragby or Thorne’s of Windsor, take delivering an extension programme on Pollination & Beekeeping; them to Northern Bee Books at Hebden Bridge, ask a beekeeping Ornamental insect biology & control. He is Past Chairman of the Board friend to take them - or best of all - take them to the college yourself. of Eastern Apiculture Society (EAS) and currently Chair of the EAS Foundation for Honey Bee Research. For more details about the National Honey Show - look at www.honeyshow.co.uk Denis Ryan is the FIBKA Vice President and its Bee Health Officer as well as being Secretary of the South Tipperary BKA and a member of Lecture Programme the famous Galtee Bee Breeding Group. Thursday 30 October 2008 Steve Ryan is the founder and Managing Director of Bee Health 2.00 Opening Ceremony Alan Teale Vice-President, Scottish BKA Limited and the Honey Farm Exhibition Centre. With his keen interest 2.45 Colony Collapse Disorder – is it a new threat? Dr Dewey Caron in the environment and natural remedies, Steve has pioneered Bee 4.10 Queen Rearing Dennis Ryan Health Limited to become the world’s leader in the manufacture and 6.00 Show Closes retail of standardised propolis and propolis products.

www.thorne.co.uk International exhibitors and suppliers of quality beekeeping equipment, to over 80 countries, for almost 100 years, with four UK locations and 50 staff. we are team GBEE

20 BBKA News - October 2008 The Business Corner

2008 Allotment Survey As many of you will be aware, there are increasing reports of the For group B, there were two significant items: difficulties encountered by beekeepers when seeking to keep bees on Firstly, many Local Authorities regard bees as livestock and have a ‘no allotments. To investigate the real state of play in the UK, the Education livestock’ rule. However this is not absolute – one group had managed and Husbandry Committee (E&H) has conducted a survey amongst to persuade their local authority that bees were ‘wild’ and therefore BBKA members. This article summarises the current position and gives not livestock – it is worth remembering that there will always be bees a few suggestions; a more complete booklet to aid beekeepers in this (hopefully!) on allotments, even if there are no hives. Some replies matter is in preparation. pointed out that they had tenancy agreements that explicitly allowed Firstly, many thanks to the 248 of you who replied, sometimes in honey bees – this remains a confused area that E&H will look into great (and useful) detail. further. The headline results are: Secondly, there was considerable ‘unreasoned’ objection, usually on • 66% of replies fell into group A – beekeeping allowed the grounds of ‘I was stung once, so…’. Here there was confusion of • 27% fell into group B – permission refused wasps, bumble bees and honey bees (as ever) but also confusion of • 6% fell into group C – permission withdrawn. significant swelling after a sting with anaphylaxis (which has quite The results were much the same across different types of allotment different symptoms). This is an area where decision makers need to be managers; cities, towns, rural District Councils, Parish Councils and educated. private owners were all present in each category. For group C, six of the sixteen were beekeepers who had removed This would seem to indicate that it is not impossible to get permission bees after on person was stung or felt threatened, rather than allow to keep bees on allotments. the situation to get out of hand. What can we learn from each group? There were two main reasons for other withdrawals, both slightly For group A, there were three significant items that stood out. unexpected: Firstly (and most importantly) was whether the other allotment Firstly, as development takes place, houses are being built nearer and holders (especially those with nearby plots) were happy to have bees. nearer to allotments – indeed, some local authorities sell of parts of Generally, they are – allotment holders understand the importance of allotments for this purpose. When these new houses are occupied the pollination and were generally supportive. Getting local support is owners see (for the first time) beehives on the allotments that may clearly a key issue. have been there for years, become alarmed and contact their local Secondly, having an apiary site ‘tucked away’ and/ or screened was authority. Usually, the local authority acquiesces to their wish and valuable. ‘Out of sight – out of mind’ seems a good rule and also asked for the bees to be removed. We hope that the BBKA campaign helped with keeping flight lines above head height. Conversely, one activities will help in education to reverse this trend. attempt to put hives in the middle of an allotment (with flight lines Secondly, there is an increasing demand for allotment plots. This has going over lots of other plots) was a disaster. One Local Authority had resulted in plots that were previously regarded as ‘not worth the effort’ allowed a ‘shared apiary’ for general benefit in a rough and being brought into cultivation by new allotment holders. Quite often, uncultivateable corner, despite the fact that none of the beekeepers these new plots are the very ones close to the ‘rough patch’ where the was actually an allotment holder. Warning signs were also regarded as apiary is. This results in conflict between the new plot holders and the helpful, as was making sure that infants could not wander into the bees; again the usual outcome is that the bees are removed. apiary area. A more detailed discussion of the results will be prepared as a Thirdly, being a BBKA member was a useful plus, even if you did not separate leaflet, hopefully including a more complete discussion of the have any particular qualification. by-law issues and related matters. Finally, demonstrating third-party insurance cover was valuable. Chris Deaves, Chair Education and Husbandry

Looking Towards the 2009 ADM With the issues of bee poisoning in Germany and a discussion on the Comment: The Executive believes that it has a duty to intervene where web site www.britishbee.org.uk/ the executive considered that now it considers that a product in development or on the market may directly might be an appropriate time to review the policies agreed at the 2005 or indirectly pose a threat to the health and safety of bees. ADM regarding our relationship with bee husbandry product producers 3 That the BBKA Executive may, after appropriate and satisfactory and agro chemical companies. It is clear that elements of the subject can appraisal of the such companies’ stewardship of the methodology of become emotive for some people but the issues are complex and not application and use of products, allow such companies to use such black and white. wording as may be agreed with the Executive, including use of the Below are a series of possible propositions for 2009 ADM, that the BBKA logo, to describe the BBKA’s opinion as to the proper executive intend to put forward, to give the membership the application and use of such products as regards the health and safety opportunity to reconfirm, or otherwise, the BBKA’s policy regarding its of bees. dealings with these companies. We have tried to make these Comment: The Executive considers that the attachment of such opinions comprehensive and in a sequence that we think that makes sense. As to products can be of benefit to bees and beekeepers, as farmers and you will see if any proposition fails then the following ones automatically other users are made aware of which products do, and effectively which fail. If you have suggestions or amendments for any of these please let do not, carry such favourable opinions. At a minimum, it should make me know before the 18 October and we will try to include them rather some users aware, at the time of application, that they should be giving than have a number of similar propositions to debate at the ADM. proper consideration to the welfare of bees. 1. That the BBKA Executive may continue to engage in dialogue with 4. That the BBKA may accept payment for granting a licence for use of agrochemical companies and suppliers of bee husbandry products its logo as described in proposition 3 above. (referred to collectively in subsequent propositions below as ‘such Comment: The Executive considers that the BBKA logo has value and companies’) with the objective of improving the health and welfare of this should be preserved. bees and beekeeping. 5. That any money received by the BBKA as a condition of granting a Comment: The Executive believes that continuing dialogue helps foster licence for use of the BBKA logo, as set out in proposition 4 above, good relationships with producing companies and allows solutions to be shall be ring-fenced for bee research. found more readily, if problems with products arise. Comment: If the licence income for use of the logo is ring-fenced for bee 2 That the BBKA Executive may, after appropriate appraisal of products, research, then the budget will have to be revised either by curtailing make representations to such companies and related regulatory some of the BBKA’s activities to save an equivalent amount or increasing authorities, with the objective of improving the safety and efficacy of capitation by at least £1. their products in relation to bees. Bob Robinson, Chairman Standing Orders Committee

BBKA News - October 2008 21 Disease Recognition Day The Business Corner

The National Bee Unit Southern Region Disease Recognition PUBLICITY AND PROMOTIONS Day was a great success . Ian Homer and his team held an excellent disease recognition day Work within Publicity and Promotions Committee (P&P) continues for the southern region on Sunday 13 July. A long day was had by on a number of projects, including completion earlier this year on all and folks had travelled from far and wide to attend. Richard Ball, an update of the advice on how to recognise a swarm and what the National Bee Inspector, and David Packham came up from action to take made available as an information leaflet on the web Devon and Margaret Holland, Robert Carpenter Turner and Rupert site following a proposition at the 2007 ADM Coutts (all Seasonal Bee Inspectors) came from their patches to Following the success of the virtual hive as a teaching aid a Benson. All of them gave up their Sunday to give talks, show number of potential future developments of the ideas are being photographs, microscope slides, combs of diseased brood and tools for managing varroa. The speakers had saved, frozen and brought worked on with hopefully some progress to report later in the year. along frames of AFB, EFB, Sac Brood, Chalk Brood and Varroa Looking at the agenda for the next meeting of the P&P Committee damage for us to examine. Gosh did AFB stink – not something you I note that the agenda includes printing and posters, ongoing would forget in a hurry. publicity work with the media, P&P Budget for 2009, Spring Useful tips on optimising our bee husbandry Convention 2009, Chelsea Flower Show and BBKA News, so there We were also shown how to decrease our detrimental and is no shortage of things to do. increase our beneficial effects on our bees, how to reduce the risk On the thought of things to do, it is a fact that many hands make of disease, but how to recognise it if it did occur and – importantly light work, and the development of advertising for BBKA News – how to respond to it. After the educational sessions we had a remains an area where we seek assistance from any member who quiz and then a question and answer session – quite a task since has some background in selling space and linking this in an we were asked to go home with no questions unanswered! A innovative way with the use of web based advertising. marvellous effort for only ninety beekeepers and it was all done at the taxpayers expense! Please try and assist by giving us a little of your time, to help in the Our bees’ health is our responsibility initial as well as ongoing development of the way in which BBKA The Bee Inspectors are a free service to us beekeepers and they can offer a service to both members and advertisers. are generous with their advice and time. Probably, like some of you, Brian Ripley, Chair Publicity and Promotions Committee I felt it was a long way for me to go to learn about bees, but then I thought – how far should I not go for my bees. They are my responsibility after all. EDUCATION & HUSBANDRY As a ‘landlord’ I need to provide my bees with sound, clean, Wanted! comfortable accommodation, suitably sited. As a human whose As BBKA News readers will know, we often report on various species has brought varroa and other diseases in, it is my responsibility to assist my bees to live a long, successful and healthy 'regulatory' documents of relevant to beekeepers. Sometimes this is life. To do that I need to learn all I can about them and their just for awareness; sometimes it is a document to which the BBKA diseases. I also have a duty to my neighbours' colonies and to any has contributed via a consolation process or similar. feral ones not to spread diseases and to help my colonies to Documents come from UK and EU agencies and for various produce high-quality drones that are not incapacitated by varroa, (mainly historical) reasons have been dealt with by E&H. which would reduce their young queen’s useful life. E&H would like to co-opt one or two additional members to deal Use all opportunities to learn with this topic and allow other members of E&H to concentrate on I was ashamed when I lost one of my first colonies. It was my the educational challenges we face in the next few years, partly as fault, not CCD or insecticides or mites, or even the lack of a result of the Bee Health Strategy. The work is not onerous, but Government funding. I killed that colony through lack of requires the ability to track long processes and the intricacies of the knowledge and skill – I did not know how to manage varroa. Now, EU and UK mechanisms. When required, the full E&H Committee when a lecture day – fee-paying or free – comes up I am off to learn and BBKA Exec will consider issues of relevance; the effort required from those who are ready to generously impart their knowledge, advice and experience. Whenever possible I urge you to consider is in keeping track of the work. Broad-band Internet access is a giving up some of your time to get to any events you can. must, as most business is conducted this way and some of the documents are large! Sarah More, West Dorset BKA Anyone with experience and/or interest in this field is asked to contact the National Beekeeping Centre.

COMPAK (South) Ltd COMPAK (North) Ltd Chris Deaves, Chair, Education and Husbandry Ashmead Trading Estate 9 Shannon Street com pak Keynsham Leeds LS9 8SS Bristol BS31 1SX Tel: 01132 350662 Tel: 01179 863550 email: BBKA Forum On Line email: [email protected] [email protected] The BBKA Forum http://www.britishbee.org.uk/forum/ is an Suppliers of all types of packaging including Glass Jars, Lids, important part of the new BBKA website. It has settled down to be Plastic containers including Food Grade Pails. an informative and pleasant facility where beekeepers and non For any enquiries, samples or price lists please contact us beekeepers can ask and answer questions. There is a policy of continuous improvement and changes are made regularly, with subjects covering a wide variety of interests. As BEEHIVE FLOOR MESH well as having Advanced and Beginners categories there are several Black epoxy coated wire mesh • 450mm squares to suit National Hive others including Microscopy, Photography, DIY and Equipment Unbeatable Prices! Maintenance, Queen Rearing, and Local BKA Chat, which have all £22 per 5, £38 - 10, £73 - 20, £160 - 50 including DIY plan and postage been asked for by the forum membership. Langstroth, Smith and Dadant same price Membership is open to everyone, not just BBKA members, so Peter McFadden “Ynysgoch”, Tynygroes, Conway LL32 8UH please register, join in, and enjoy this useful facility. Tel 01492 650851 Roger Patterson, BBKA Executive email: [email protected] 22 BBKA News - October 2008 Your Letters

Honey Bee or Honeybee Bee Sting Allergy I was intrigued by the small piece in the August issue of BBKA News In his article in the August 2008 BBKA News on bee sting allergy in (172) investigating whether the correct spelling should be Honeybee or British beekeepers, Dr Richter noted that beekeepers who had suffered Honey bee. As Editor of the Somerset Beekeepers’ Association a bee venom hypersensitivity reaction were likely to take an newsletter, I am conscious of the spelling vagaries of many apicultural antihistamine prior to working on their hives. He asserted that there are terms (consider also beekeeping/ bee-keeping; beehive/ bee-hive; no studies or guidelines that support this practice. I disagree with that foulbrood/ foul brood). assertion and would draw attention to the work of Brockow K et al, The article reminded me of the words of Eva Crane, who in ‘An published in the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Vol 100(4) American Bee Journey’ 1 recalled ‘I shall not easily forget Mr. Gout’s pp458-463,1997. They conducted a prospective, randomized, double- greeting to me – ‘How is it that you honeybee in one word and foul brood in two words, whereas we spell honey bee in two words and blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 121 patients who were allergic foulbrood in one? ’. Hence I have always assumed that honeybee is the to Hymenoptera venom. The objective of the study was to assess the English spelling, honey bee being the American spelling. However, my efficacy of pretreatment with antihistamines to prevent local and dictionaries disagree with each other: the Oxford dictionary 2 suggests systemic adverse reactions to specific immunotherapy with it should be hyphenated, ‘honey-bee’; the Collins dictionary 3 suggests Hymenoptera venom. The treatment was given by the rush technique it should be a single word, ‘honeybee’. in which multiple increasing doses of venom are given at brief intervals I was intrigued by Snodgrass’s reasoning, but I note that even he was over a period of hours. The method has the advantage of saving time inconsistent, using ‘honey-bee’ on page 14 of the Northern Bee Books but serious reactions can be provoked. reprint 4, but entitling an earlier work ‘Anatomy and Physiology of the The trial clearly demonstrated that pretreatment with antihistamines Honeybee’ 5. However, we are not consistent this side of the pond significantly reduced local and systemic adverse reactions to the either: Cowan’s book was ‘The Honey Bee ’6 whereas Free wrote ‘The Social Organization of Honeybees ’7. injected Hymenoptera venom. I do not think there can be many rules in the English language where The findings in this trial are consistent with my own experience in there is no exception or acceptable alternative. I always use treating many beekeepers with sting allergy problems and I have no ‘honeybee’, partly because I think it looks neater and partly through doubt that taking an antihistamine before manipulating a bee colony some distorted sense of nationalism. As far as I am concerned, the offers some protection. most important aspect of the choice if spelling is consistency. If there Harry Riches, MD FRCP could ever be doubt about the meaning of the term used, the agreed scientific binominal should be used. Finally, I shall end with a delightful quote from Buffon 8, who is more precise about what a ‘honey bee’ is: BBKA Enterprises Ltd – ‘The Domestic Bee differs in a variety of particulars from most other the New MD animals, and admits a threefold description; under its various Roger Cullum-Kenyon has been appointed characters of Queen Bee, Drone Bee, and Working Bee; for though this as the next Managing Director of BBKA last kind is, strictly speaking, the only Honey Bee, yet as all three kinds Enterprises Ltd. are found, and seem to be necessary, in every community or hive of After Art College in the 60s, he had ten bees, they go under the same general name of Apis Mellifica [Sic.] …’. years of foreign travel whilst employed by Richard Bache, Somerset BKA Dunlop’s motor sport division and their overseas advertising group. In the late 70s 1. Crane E. An American Bee Journey. Ilford (Essex): Central Association of Bee-Keepers. (Reprinted from Bee World 1954: 35 (7); 125-37.) he set up his own design consultancy based in the family home – a 2. Oxford Illustrated Dictionary (2nd edition,). London: Book Club Associates (by 450-year-old cottage nestling in the Cotswolds. During this time, his arrangement with Oxford University Press). 1984 reprint. creative work was widely published and he won the occasional award 3. Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus (2nd edition). Glasgow: HarperCollins for packaging design and typography. Publishers. 2004 reprint. 4. Snodgrass RE. Anatomy of the Honey Bee [Northern Bee Books]. [Undated Whilst living in the Cotswolds he was involved with local fundraising reprint]. activities, often using his design skills and print buying services. A keen 5. Snodgrass RE. Anatomy and Physiology of the Honeybee. New York: McGraw- supporter of the local Chamber of Commerce, he brought experience Hill. 1925. 6. Cowan TW. The Honey Bee (2nd Edition). London: Houlston & Sons. 1904. to small local business start-ups. In 1994 another personal goal was 7. Free JB. The Social Organization of Honeybees. London: Edward Arnold. 1977. reached when Roger became public relations officer of the 8. Buffon’s Natural History (Corrected and Enlarged by John Wright) Volume IV). international Grayling Society, a conservation organisation dedicated to London: Thomas Tegg. 1821. saving this lovely freshwater fish. He is currently their Vice Chairman and is helping with the application for charity status. BBKA Audit Wildlife conservation and later beekeeping became passions and the The BBKA are pleased to announce that following an advertisement family gradually built up a small group of hives. By this time he had in BBKA News, a new independent examiner for the charity has been moved to the South Hams and made a stab at semi-retirement. As his appointed. Accara Accountancy from Goxhill in North Lincolnshire beekeeping skills developed he sought an escape for his design skills, will undertake the work starting from the year that will finish on becoming an active member of the BBKA P&P committee in 2006. He 30 September 2008 was appointed MD of BBKA Enterprises Ltd earlier this summer.

Guide to Bees & Honey by Ted Hooper MBE The World's Best Selling Guide to Beekeeping from all good bookshops or £13.99 post paid from Northern Bee Books, Scout Bottom Farm, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge HX7 5JS : 01422 882751

BBKA News - October 2008 23 Newsround

The headline figures from the BBKA survey of winter losses in 2007/8 edition of the South East Farmer Farming Review. A feature is expected in and Rowse’s announcement that supplies of English honey will run out the British Farmer & Grower. on the supermarket shelves by Christmas, added a double whammy to During the summer you may have seen interviews with beekeepers in the ongoing news agenda on bee diseases which has led to constant Garden News, The Lady and Country Life magazines, a report on the Daily coverage in the press, and on TV and radio. And if one newspaper, TV or Telegraph’s travel pages on a basic beekeeping course at a Berkshire hotel, radio programme runs a story, others then follow. and a leader article in the New Statesman urging its readers to sign our Tim Lovett was invited to join Alison Benjamin, beekeeper and author of petition. A World Without Bees , on Richard and Judy’s sofa on Channel Four on 24 Making the headlines too was Rowse’s announcement on 1 September July to discuss the issues raised in her book. that they will be contributing £100,000 over three years to bee health The headline ‘Honey bee deaths reaching crisis point’ in The Guardian research. article also by Alison Benjamin generated more media interest on 13 Away from the headlines - Executive member, Michael Sheasby took August with Martin Smith giving interviews to national and regional part in a The Good Pitch, a ‘Dragon’s Den’ type of session at BRITDOC, radio. The Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation when a trailer of ‘In The Prince of Wales is doing his bit to help. A photograph in The Sun on The Company of Bees’ a partially complete film was shown. James Erskine 31 July showed him at the Sandringham Flower Show listening to the its director has had a follow up discussion with Michael and Chris Deaves, concerns of Norfolk beekeeper Barry Walker-Moore, who was dressed in who are exploring campaigning and promotional opportunities once the a bee suit. During an interview on BBC2’s Newsnight shown on 19 August film, is finished. which covered the current crisis facing our honey bees, Tim Lovett Lisa Young from Buzzworks and Barnet BKA played the part of ‘The referred to the Prince’s role in introducing the Wellcome Trust to the need Beekeeper’ in an educational video for children being made by the for more funding for bee health research. Countryside Alliance covering eight rural activities. International interest continues. CNN called from Hong Kong to find out The October issue of Kitchen Garden magazine announced that Hitchin what was causing our honey bees to die and Bloomberg News, an major Community’s Bee Garden ‘Buzzworks’, championed by Robin Dartington, American financial news service put a well researched story on UK and picked up a Bronze award in the magazine’s national allotment awards, USA bee losses out on the worldwide news wires on 4 August. community projects category. You can read more about the project in a The UK press is reporting the NFU’s (National Farmers’ Union) concerns winter issue of the magazine. about the loss of honey bees and the impact it will have on food security Over the autumn, stories on beekeeping should be appearing in and the risk to world food supplies. Tim Lovett was interviewed on Radio Woman’s Weekly, Fine Food Digest and Artisan Magazine magazines. 4’s Farming Today, on 15 August and contributed an article to the summer Christine Gray, Honorary Press Officer

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BBKA NEWS Diary of Events BBKA News is the flagship publication for 2008 British Beekeepers and BBKA is seeking to strengthen 4 October – BBKA Forum, Stoneleigh the BBKA News team so that they can continue to 30 Oct – 1 Nov - National Honey Show. St George’s College, develop and improve the publication. Weybridge, Surrey KT15 2QS. Page 20 We are seeking people who are prepared to commit two days 8 November - Sussex BKA Annual Convention. See per month to the future development of this newsletter www.sussexbee.org.uk for details. Harold Cloutt 01424 838302 which has the largest distribution in the UK and 21 - 23 November - Central Association of Beekeepers Stratford one of the largest in Europe. Reunion Weekend at The Falcon Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. Page 19 BBKA News is currently direct mailed to all members as part of 2009 their membership package, six times each year . 10 January - Annual Delegates’ Meeting To discuss this informally please contact Sharon Blake 01460 21 February – Somerset BKA Lecture Day , at Cheddar. Speakers: 242124 or [email protected] and for formal Richard Ball, Glyn Davies, Jamie Ellis, Philippa O’Brien, Adam Vevers. Tickets: Mrs Caroline Butter, The Old Manse, Draycott, Cheddar BS27 applications please send your CV to Brian Ripley, The Croft, 3SF. Tel: 01934 742075 Rothbury Road, Longframplington, Northumberland NE65 8AH 17 - 19 April - BBKA Spring Convention. Page 13 15 - 20 September - Apimondia in Montpellier, France It is said... CIRCULATION: 12,390. Please send any alterations for direct mailing that low infestation of varroa mite via your Association secretary, to the BBKA Members’ Register. “can multiply up to 25 times during the ISSUE DATES: February, April, June, August, October and December. season. Whereas a high infestation will Copy by 1st of preceding month. multiply only two or three times . BBKA NEWS is published for its members by BBKA, Reg. Charity No. 212025 ” Printed by Stable Print, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset TA14 6QR Tel: 01935 824943 24 BBKA News - October 2008