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4 1-800-233-2899BEE CULTURE September 2020 www.kelleybees.com Bee Culture September Features . . . A STORY OF WHAT GOES AROUND 28 LOVE 62 A great program and some really cool hives. Honey bees and canola. Steve Roth Angela Dansby

OUT OF THE PAST 30 THE FUTURE OF BEEKEEPER The representa on and symbolic meaning of the honey bee through MEETINGS 65 me. Reprinted with permission from The Beekeepers Quarterly. What needs to happen? Isabella Hopkinson John Miller

DELICIOUS HORNET 35 FUNGICIDES AND BEE DECLINE 68 Taste like French fries. Do fungicides have an ac ve role in Winter decline. Kathy Keatley Garvey Etienne Bruneau

SPLIT MY COLONY? 40 HONEY BEES POLLINATE Five easy steps. TRADE OPPORTUNITIES 71 Katy Evans It’s not honey! Andrea Durkin BEE VET 43 Emerging disease in the shadows, Tropilaelosis. ASSESSING PESTICIDE EXPOSURE Dr. Tracy Farone RISK TO MASON BEES 74 This group of pollinators has been somewhat overlooked in this area. BEFORE VARROA THE DEADLY Christine Fortuin THREAT WAS TRACHEAL MITES 51 They came, they conquered, and then what? DR. TOM SEELEY’S EVOLUTIONARY M.E.A. McNeil ADAPTEDNESS 77 Is there progress? THE “PROVENTRICULUS” 56 David MacFawn Honey bee stomach fi ltering valve. Graham Kingham ALICE’S HEALING HERBAL SALVE 86 An easy and excellent way to use beeswax. BEEMAIL 59 Alice Eckles Inbox answers. Becky Masterman & Bridget Mendel

Executive Publisher – Brad Root Associate Publisher, Senior Editor – Jerry Hayes, [email protected], Ext. 3214 Assistant Editor, Design – Kathy Summers, [email protected], Ext. 3215 Social Media, Event Specialist & Subscription Coordinator – Amanda DeSimone, [email protected], Ext. 3255 Advertising – Jean Newcombe, [email protected], Ext. 3216

Contributors Clarence Collison • James E. Tew • Kim Lehman • Jay Evans Connie Krochmal • Jessica Louque • Toni Burnham • Ross Conrad • Jennifer Berry • Ed Colby

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BEE CULTURE, The A.I. Root Co., 623 W. Liberty St., Medina, OH 44256 Subscription Information U.S., one year, $25; two years, $48. Newsstand price: $4.99. All other countries, (U.S. Currency only), $20.00 per year additional for postage. Digital Edition $15. Send remittance by money order, bank draft, express money order, or check or credit card. Bee Culture (ISSN 1071-3190), September 2020, Volume 148, Issue 9, is published monthly by The A.I. Root Co., 623 W. Liberty Street, Medina, OH 44256. Periodicals Postage Paid at Medina, OH and additional mailing offi ces. Subscriptions, Book Orders – www.BeeCulture.com • [email protected] – Advertising 800.289.7668, Ext. 3216; [email protected] Honey bee on Canola. See story on pg. Published by The A.I. Root Co. Copyright© 2020. All rights reserved. 62. Photo by Karen Sowers.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 5 nature is healing

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NEW FOR YOU 25 SUMMER TIME RECIPES 80 New products from Southeast Bee Supply. Ribs and corn. What could be better to finish off the Summer. Shana Archibald BOOK REVIEWS 27 Bee Space to Bee Hive; The Complete BEE Handbook. SUMMER BLOOMING BEE PLANTS 81 A focus on the northeastern region. Connie Krochmal FOUND IN TRANSLATION 36 Parasites with minds of their own. Jay Evans BIGGER PICTURE 84 Keeping honey on hand. A CLOSER LOOK – FAT BODY Jessica Louque

FUNCTIONS 47 The fat body is found mainly in the abdominal cavity of the MY ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEM 89 individuals – larvae, pupae and imago. The backyard. Clarence Collison James E. Tew

SYNTHETIC WAX 66 BOTTOM BOARD 96 BetterComb and the demise of 100% beeswax. Message to the faithful. Ross Conrad Ed Colby

Page 89 In Every Month – Honeycomb Hannah 9 What’s going on in the hive. Mailbox 10 From The Editor – 14 Honey Market Report 16 Spring and Summer honey crop. Next Month 17 What should you be doing? It’s Summers Time! 19 More Summer and more loss. BEETALK 20 Your ques ons answered by our writers. Page 66 All Around The Beeyard 24 Good ideas from beekeepers. Calendar 94

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 9 Kudos To Ross Conrad begin to heal our relationship with this one earth we call home starting I enjoyed your May article where we are. Bee Culture immensely. I agree. I believe that to I fi nd myself in a very 623 West Liberty St. have dominion over all of the earth interesting position in regards Medina, OH 44256 carries a great responsibility as a to commercial beekeeping but [email protected] caretaker, which has been, in many heart really lies in a animist and respects, ignored. When I look back feminine centric approach towards to many years ago I realize that I beekeeping. It is refreshing to read too fi t in that category. Many of us an article that so clearly outlines have lost contact with the natural the needed changes in the way we world, and we are much the poorer partner with honey bees regardless for it. of religious affi liation. I think the Thankfully I am somewhat times are calling for this shift in wiser than I was in my younger consciousness. I believe we are years. As to queen replacement, ready plus Just makes good sense. when I started beekeeping in Blessings. 1980, I too replaced (killed) good Sharon Jones queens, because that was what I was taught. Many of them would Can We Just Change Thank you for be much better queens than I have Author’s Response: your email message and for your The Subject today. Anyway, thanks for a very wise words regarding the topic of my We’ve all heard the adage “Ask thoughtful article. May Bee Culture Article. I think you fi ve beekeepers a question and Ron Marshall you’ll get 10 answers.” But climate are right on target and encourage you to fi nd a way to continue to follow change is so politically charged and Author’s Response: Thank you for your heart within the realm of the is a much more divisive topic than your message. It is always a pleasure commercial beekeeping world that a discussion, say, about screened to hear from a fellow beekeeper. you fi nd yourself in. Keep up the good bottom boards versus solid or Thanks also for your kind work. wooden ware versus insulated and thoughtful words about my equipment. May article on requeening in Bee Both climate change Culture magazine. It is good to know proponents and climate change that you resonated with the ideas What‛s Not Being deniers are pretty entrenched expressed in the article. I have to Discussed in their beliefs. The chances of admit it was a bit of a stretch for me Well – as I’ve related before anyone from one camp convincing as I don’t typically mention religion in – I consider myself pretty much anyone in the other camp of their my beekeeping articles. retired from hands-on beekeeping ignorance about climate change I hope you and the bees are nowadays. is pretty much nil. Even more so doing well during these Covid days. Just a personal note here: But when pejoratives are included in Thanks again for taking the time to I do not feel that beekeepers are the discussion. get in touch. facing some sort of environmental Personally, I read Bee ‘crisis’ or that we need to adopt Culture looking for those “ah hah!” • a lot of new methods to keep nuggets. Selfi shly, I don’t want bees successfully. I feel that as a to miss them simply because I I am so glad I fi nally got to community and industry (in the lack the patience to wade through meet you at our Northern Michigan commercial sense at least) we have someone’s fi ve paragraph manifesto Bee Conference last Fall. What a all the tools we need presently if we endorsing or decrying climate strange ride this year has turned only apply them conscientiously, change so that I can fi nd that out to bee. and informedly. one sentence “If your bees are I just wanted to thank you for The bigger problems for the doing such and such, I found this your very well written article in Bee beekeeping industry it seems to maneuver helpful.” Culture in May (I’m just catching me, relate primarily to the vast There’s an old saying that’s up with my reading). I often speak numbers of new and ‘save the bees’ almost never used anymore “We’ll with beekeepers too about the people who have tried to take up have to agree to disagree.” So can yearly requeening program. It the craft over the past 20 to 25 we do that? Can we please fi nd never ceases to fl oor me. I’m not years or so. Their lack of practical a topic that will help unite us as so eloquent, I just say WHY would knowledge and experience seem to beekeepers instead of emphasizing you do that unnecessarily? I think me to be one of the root causes of our differences? Please? your response points to much disease spread and ‘mongrelizing’ of Marguerite Weiner needed changes, from our historical our domestic honey bee gene pool Upton, MA colonizer mentality approach to (particularly in the U.S.) beekeeping, as well as in so many The reasons/motivations for other arenas. This fundamental many of the ‘newbees’ to get a hive shift in perspective you call for can or two is also misguided I feel. As

10 BEE CULTURE September 2020 I’ve mentioned before I feel that negatively affecting bees and state there are vegetable gardens, the proper role of beekeepers is pollinators (although I do agree fl ower gardens and even service dog to be good ‘Bee Stewards’ which that they need to be monitored/ training programs. Where are the implies that before acquiring hives managed wisely). Generally bees? There are men and women of their own these folks need to take speaking I consider myself to at these facilities that are willing to sound courses on basic bee biology be a practically oriented sort of learn and eager about honey bees. and behavior as well as learning guy. And in the case with bees and North Dakota is highest volume best management practices (such beekeeping I readily acknowledge honey producer in the U.S. and as the excellent courses that the that my concerns are primarily migratory beekeeping operations as University of Montana offers online focused on furthering sustainable well as domestic producers would for example). and successful beekeeping. benefi t greatly having a pool of When I’ve taught classes on I hope that my comments here trained workers from which to draw basic beekeeping I’ve frequently are helpful. once inmates are released. advised some participants to Al Summers Funding for such a small not actually start hives of their Longmont, Colorado investment in equipment could be own if they weren’t prepared to readily found from state beekeeping learn more about good basic bee licensing fees or easily allocated biology management and ‘bee Rehabilitation through the education department. stewardship.” That’s why we started In the past we have seen In ND the money is (or at least coining the term “Beekeeping articles about beekeeping and should be), the least of the concerns Ambassadors” for those folks beekeeping education as a form given the lucrative tax and revenue interested in bees and beekeeping of skills training in correctional streams from the petroleum but not actually willing or prepared facilities. States that have industry. to do the ‘homework’ necessary to beekeeping programs in them have One doesn’t have to look ensure their longer termed success. shown to reduce prisoner crime far to see the countless benefi ts Another complicating factor and lower recidivism amongst education and vocational training over the past 15 years or so from program participants. Once provides. This is especially true my perspective has been the rise released it helps to prepare trainees in a prison setting as that captive and ubiquity of the Internet which for job opportunities. One bit of population will soon be back in the has only exacerbated the problem information I fi nd quite alarming is public seeking gainful employment. with newer beekeepers getting into that a place commercial beekeepers Please take a moment of your it for mainly ideological and/or like to go during the Summer time to contact Facility Director impractical reasons. months for the lush fi elds of canola, Colby Braun at the North Dakota From my perspective the sunfl ower and clover does not have Department of corrections at number one problem that we a beekeeper training program. 701.328.3100 and encourage him beekeepers face nowadays world- North Dakota Department of to keep beehives at all four North wide (with A. mellifera species) Corrections and Rehabilitation has Dakota prisons. is due to the parasitic and viral three men’s facility prisons and Matthew Kriedeman vectoring effects of Varroa mites one women’s prison. At all three ND State Peniteniary without question. And the only men’s and women’s facilities in the Bismarck, ND sustainable way to remedy that will be through genetic means bee breeding and/or genetic modifi cation methods where found to be safe and practicable. Many bee breeders have touted ‘Varroa resistant bees’ but very few have “We love your uncapper! actually delivered on those claims I It’s the best!” believe. I am personally interested Steve Hiatt Bowman, ND to help further legitimate efforts currently being made within our industry as well as at USDA facilities to see that happen. As an ‘old man’ nowadays that’s an effort We sell liquid sucrose and that I feel I can still contribute to meaningfully. 55% High Fructose Corn Syrup As far as other commonly as feed for your bees. voiced concerns about ‘bees going extinct’ ’pesticides poisoning the bees and environment’ ’industrial Dakota Gunness, Inc. agriculture/monocultures P.O. Box 106, Abercrombie, ND 58001 signifi cantly reducing foraging habitat’ I do not agree that those 888.553.8393 or 701.553.8393 situations are a major factor [email protected] • www.dakotagunness.com

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September 2020 BEE CULTURE 13 www vitabeehealth.com VitaBeeHealthNorthAmerica VitaBeeHealth [email protected] Honey Bee Health Coalition and results-oriented group fi rst and them to have conversations with For over 40 years I have worked foremost. your farmer brethren. Farmers and in and around the honey bee and We set to work and identifi ed beekeepers rely on each other to bring beekeeping industry. After a stint as our mission and vision. We formed sustenance to our fellow Americans. a High School teacher, I went back smaller working groups to address We are all part of the environment to college at Ohio State University what’s called the four Ps – pests and agriculture, and I look forward to to learn about Honey Bees from Dr. and pathogens, pesticides, and poor showcasing an extensive body of work Jim Tew. Then on to the USDA Bee forage and nutrition – and determine that I think you’ll fi nd both helpful Breeding Stock Lab, (as it was titled what each of the groups’ fi rst order and intriguing. back in the 80s), for a short time, of business would be. We developed We are all in this together. then to Dadant and Sons and the a governance system that gave Jerry Hayes American Bee Journal for a long time. everyone an equal voice. After two Learn more at I then joined the Florida Dept. of days, we formed the genesis of the www.honeybeehealthcoalition.com Agriculture and Consumer Services Honey Bee Health Coalition. as the Chief of the Apiary Inspection Hopefully, many of you reading • Section for almost a decade. I then this have heard of the Coalition or went on to work on RNAi with perhaps seen our seminal work, Is It Honeybee or Honey Bee? Monsanto to control Varroa, and now the Tools for Varroa Management Writing insect names using as editor of Bee Culture magazine. Guide. Since that first meeting, American English can be diffi cult. I’ve been a beekeeper before we’ve developed an extensive library Some species have different names Varroa and now on this journey after of resources for beekeepers and depending on where you are, or Varroa and all the collateral health farmers and provided guidance and with whom you are speaking (think effects that we are struggling with. tools for how we can all play a part in “ladybug” or “ladybird” or “lady I’ve seen bees mysteriously disappear reversing bee health decline. Beyond beetle”). More often than not, an with CCD. I’ve seen people and what we’ve produced, there’s an insect may not even have an offi cial animals killed by Africanized Bees. intangible benefi t that still permeates common name because out of the I’ve seen prairie lands converted our meetings. This was born out of million or so insects that have been to ag lands, which meant fewer hard conversations, raised voices, discovered and described, only fl owers for bees and more impacts and staunch disagreements. After a couple of thousand have been from pesticides. All of these things six years of sitting in the same room, designated with common names by changed how a beekeeper operates donning bee suits, visiting farms, the Entomological Society of America and put a strain on the longstanding and enduring hundreds of hours (ESA). relationships between farmers and of conference calls, relationships To make matters worse, even the beekeepers and the environment – and trust have formed. These ones that DO have offi cial common both in the informal sense, where relationships enable the group to names – ones that we see nearly every a case of honey was exchanged for talk about diffi cult topics deliberately day – may have different spellings putting hives on a neighbor’s lands, and respectfully. We don’t discuss the depending on whether they appear to more formal contract pollination relative weights of the four Ps. All are in scientific publications or other services and a business relationship. equally important, and all require the print media, such as newspapers or Our vocation and/or avocation of same level of attention. magazines. Beekeeping, our relationship to our All these things have enabled the For example, according vital environment and partnership Coalition to keep churning out and to Merriam-Webster’s with this little insect along with our marketing a slew of high quality, free, Dictionary, “honeybee” and “housefl y” connection with agriculture was and dependable resources for farmers and “bedbug” are spelled as one tittering on the edge and something and beekeepers. word. However, according to the ESA had to be done to save it. Over the next several months, Common Names of Insects Database, On a cold day in December I would like to use this column to they are spelled as two words – 2013, myself and 37 other bee health tell you about what the Honey Bee “honey bee” and “house fl y” and “bed professionals stepped off a bus into Health Coalition has done. And what bug.” eight inches of freshly fallen snow in it needs to do but can’t as quickly as Newspapers such as the New York Keystone, Colorado. We holed up at needed without your help. My not-so- Times or the Washington Post tend to 9,000 feet to discuss what pivot was hidden agenda is to get you to know use the dictionary spellings, while needed to change the course of bee about these tools and resources and scientifi c journals such as the Journal health decline, specifi cally on and then actively use these tools and of Medical Entomology or Annals of the around agriculture lands as this was resources. I want you to share these Entomological Society of America will where many were convinced honey with your fellow beekeepers and use of course use the spellings that bee health decline began. We began by discussing all the other great work being done on this issue and whether, and if so how, we could complement other efforts and not compete with them. We all agreed that everyone was busy and that if something were to stick, we’d have to be an action- From The Editor – 14 BEE CULTURE September 2020 are officially sanctioned by the • an assumption about the average entomological community as they length of a foraging fl ight. While the appear in the ESA database. Excerpt from an old A.I Root actual length of individual foraging The reason for the discrepancy is Publication, ‘The Honey Bee – A fl ights can vary widely, an estimate that entomologists use two words if a Grower’s Guide’. We’re not sure of the of 30 minutes is reasonable in light common name accurately describes actual date – but there was a video of available information. the order to which a particular offered with the guide for $49.95. To estimate the number of bees insect belongs. For example, all true in the fi eld, the consultant should flies belong to the order Diptera, The Inspection Process count the number of bees returning so true fly names will be spelled The only fair way to judge a to the nest during a one-minute using two words by entomologists colony is by a visual inspection of period. For example, if the average — house fl y, horse fl y, pigeon fl y, the nest. While some growers judge round-trip fl ight time, t, for a forager or stable fl y, for example. However, the value of a colony by the level is 30 minutes, and the number despite their names, dragonfl ies and of foraging activity at the colony of bees, n, returning during a one butterfl ies are NOT true fl ies — their entrance or by the number of bees minute period, is 150, then the total orders are Odonata and Lepidoptera, in the fi eld, neither of these methods number of bees in the fi eld, TB, can respectively — so they are spelled as is likely to give you a true picture be estimated as: one word. of the colony’s worth. Temperature, TB = t x n The same goes for “bed bug” or level of sunlight, wind speed, and the = 30 minutes x 150 bees/min “stink bug,” both of which are true time of day all play important roles in = 4,500 bees bugs in the order Hemiptera, which determining foraging activity. Also, a is why they are spelled as two words low number of bees foraging in your After you obtain this number, in the entomological community. fi eld may be the result of your crop’s you must convert it to the equivalent However, insects that are not in the failure to produce a large enough number of full-dpth combs of bees. order Hemiptera, like billbugs or amount of nectar to attract the bees, Assuming that there are 2,000 bees sowbugs, are spelled as one word. or of competing crops in nearby fi elds. per full-depth comb (both sides), the Likewise, honey bees and bumble All of these circumstances are out adjustment (ADJ) to the number of bees are true bees in the order of the beekeeper’s control. So, to be bees, expressed as equivalent full- Hymenoptera, so entomologists spell fair to both beekeeper and grower, a depth combs of bees, is: them as two words, even though the visual inspection of the nest is best. ADJ = 4,500 Bees x 1 Comb/2,000 Bees dictionaries and newspapers spell The inspection should be conducted = 4,500 Bees x 0.0005 Comb/Bee them as one. when the temperature is above 60°F. = 2.25 Full-Depth Combs In his book Anatomy of the Honey If the temperature is lower than this, Bee from 1956, Robert E. Snodgrass the bees may be clustered tightly on This number is added to the wrote: the comb, and it will be more diffi cult estimate of the number of full-depth Regardless of dictionaries, we to obtain an accurate assessment of combs of bees in the colony. On the have in entomology a rule for insect the colony. data collection form, the calculation common names that can be followed. of the adjustment factor is set up as: It says: If the insect is what the Bees In The Field ADJ = _B/M x 30M x (0.0004) = _ name implies, write the two words Remember, when inspections are (in Full-Depth combs of Bees) separately; otherwise run them conducted, most of the foraging force together. Thus we have such names will be in the fi eld. This fi eld force Where B/M = number of bees as house fl y, blow fl y, and robber fl y can represent a substantial portion per minute counted at the entrance, contrasted with dragonfl y, caddicefl y, of the colony’s population, and it is 30 = the average length of a foraging and butterfl y, because the latter are essential that these be counted and trip in minutes, (0.0005) converts not fl ies, just as an aphislion is not added to the total estimate for the the number of bees to the equivalent a lion and a silverfi sh is not a fi sh. number of combs of bees. To make number of full-depth combs of bees. The honey bee is an insect and is this adjustment, you must make preeminently a bee; “honeybee” is equivalent to “Johnsmith.” So there you have it. If you’re ever in doubt, check the ESA Common Names of Insects Database. If you can’t fi nd what you’re looking for there, fi nd another reputable source and check on the insect’s order, and remember this short rhyme: “If true, then two.”

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 15 SEPTEMBER – REGIONAL HONEY PRICE REPORT

1 7 5 4 2 6 3

Winter Losses, Summer Crops of us would like certainly, but better crop. Things picked up a tad this cause of favorable weather, but for About this time every year we than the 37% reported last year. The Summer, because only 36 reported 8%, the weather was so awful, they take stock of colony losses both last range however was signifi cant to lo- a below average crop, while 40% had essentially no harvestable crop Winter and so far during the Sum- cation, ranging from a low of 4% in were at, or above average so far. In- due to the weather. mer. Last year Wummer losses were Region 2, to a high of 39% in Re- terestingly, 25% usually don’t have We are looking for reporters in actually greater than the previous gion 5 and 38% in Region 1. Sum- a Summer crop. Region 7, so if you would like a Winter’s losses, and we wanted to mer losses, that is between April Weather is always one of the free subscription, can supply prices continue that observation for an- and late July averaged 4% across villains or heros of a season’s suc- for most of the wholesale or retail other year. We also look at both the all regions and all reporters. This is cess or failure, and this year was no prices on the front, and would like to Spring and Summer honey crops (if certainly a much brighter spot com- diff erent. Across all regions, 31% be a part of monthly survey, contact there are any where you are), and pared to last years 8%. of our reporters felt that favorable [email protected]. what eff ects the weather had on 44% reported a below average weather improved their crop to them this season. Spring crop this year, while 12% above average, 44% had a reduced Across all regions, Winter losses don’t have much of a Spring, crop, crop because of unfavorable weath- during the 2019/2020 season were at meaning that about 40 some percent er in their opinion, while 18% had a an average 24%, higher than most have had a good to average Spring much better than average season be-

REPORTING REGIONS SUMMARY EREOEPREOBOPERORPROEOR R 55 Gal. Drum, Light 2.01 2.33 2.15 2.05 2.04 2.35 2.00 1.50-2.50 2.13 2.13 2.16 2.18 55 Gal. Drum, Ambr 2.00 2.25 2.01 1.94 2.05 2.38 1.85 1.35-2.75 2.06 2.06 2.05 2.13 60# Light (retail) 228.64 195.25 185.00 171.83 157.50 199.50 205.00 120.00-325.00 199.53 3.33 205.01 203.82 60# Amber (retail) 222.50 221.70 190.00 181.75 215.25 189.67 197.50 120.00-325.00 208.00 3.47 204.24 206.70

OEEPREOOOREORRBOREO 1/2# 24/case 98.69 75.60 90.00 74.00 61.20 108.94 108.94 60.00-194.40 90.69 7.56 88.80 91.05 1# 24/case 150.51 150.85 124.50 105.11 152.50 119.88 144.00 85.00-300.00 136.00 5.67 138.65 124.41 2# 12/case 134.89 101.41 113.43 97.44 71.52 96.00 132.00 31.20-246.00 118.70 4.95 120.67 119.31 12.oz. Plas. 24/cs 103.86 119.22 88.67 85.00 83.76 101.88 120.00 66.00-172.80 99.39 5.52 99.56 95.98 5# 6/case 153.75 112.40 108.00 110.30 110.58 105.00 146.30 71.50-240.00 136.85 4.56 139.25 137.52 Quarts 12/case 183.21 174.81 147.72 105.30 185.04 155.94 216.00 56.00-300.00 161.58 4.49 151.80 153.50 Pints 12/case 97.55 103.60 83.00 75.28 139.00 104.00 97.76 60.00-140.00 95.53 5.31 95.91 91.30

REEPRE 1/2# 5.65 5.77 3.50 4.58 4.60 5.63 5.63 3.00-9.00 5.27 10.54 5.18 5.20 12 oz. Plastic 6.67 6.97 5.55 5.46 5.83 6.29 6.00 3.79-12.00 6.19 8.26 6.16 6.34 1# Glass/Plastic 8.73 8.75 8.22 6.11 8.53 7.99 7.00 4.79-17.00 8.18 8.18 8.13 7.95 2# Glass/Plastic 14.64 13.75 14.84 11.23 15.30 10.90 13.00 6.79-25.00 13.97 6.98 14.29 13.51 Pint 11.49 11.84 7.74 12.40 10.75 10.37 12.71 4.00-24.95 10.94 7.29 11.20 11.05 Quart 19.93 19.81 14.31 12.95 19.05 19.33 18.00 7.00-32.00 17.88 5.96 18.14 18.41 5# Glass/Plastic 30.42 27.47 35.00 29.00 18.86 21.45 30.34 13.57-50.00 28.90 5.78 29.05 29.37 1# Cream 10.18 8.45 10.55 9.44 7.55 10.55 16.00 6.00-16.00 10.10 10.10 10.66 10.14 1# Cut Comb 12.88 13.21 14.95 14.00 15.00 14.25 14.97 8.00-25.00 13.45 13.45 13.00 12.93 Ross Round 10.93 7.12 10.96 15.00 10.96 10.96 15.00 7.00-15.60 10.63 14.17 10.77 9.98 Wholesale Wax (Lt) 7.84 6.17 5.60 6.30 5.75 4.50 7.11 3.00-12.00 6.72 - 6.56 6.66 Wholesale Wax (Dk) 6.92 5.30 4.52 4.83 6.06 3.75 6.06 2.55-10.00 5.85 - 5.51 5.42 Pollination Fee/Col. 76.82 67.00 80.00 105.00 80.00 73.86 73.86 10.00-130.00 77.73 - 87.17 82.85

16 BEE CULTURE September 2020 NEXT MONTH It is September as we live by the Region Two Region Six days. Summer is waning for those in • Check Food Stores. Weather is • Feed the upper tier of States and for you Hot then Cold • Mite Control below its still hot and humid in the • Lots of Brood Rearing Still. • Put on Winter Patties SE or hot and dry if you are in the Sample often • Mite Sampling. Then Treat if SW. The West Coast is a different • Mites, Mites, Mites and oh Mites, Needed thing. Days are getting shorter re- Mites, Mites. • Monitor Food reserves gardless for us and our ‘bees’. They • Get rid of Italians and get Rus- • Combine Weak Hives know this and are preparing for a sians change in their colony dynamics. • Sample and Treat, Treat and Region 7 ‘Winter’ bees are being raised that Sample • Check for Mites / Treat have more vitellogenin ‘fat bodies’ so • Check Food Stores they can survive long periods with- Region Three • Move colonies to better full sun lo- out fl ower food resources outside • Check Colony Stores and Feed cations the hive. Honey has been stored and • Combine Weak Colonies • Combine colonies I hope you didn’t take all of this nat- • Repair Equipment • Make winter Nucs ural food from them. If you did take • Check for Mites Earlier it all I hope you have fed them a Su- • Change mite Treatment used last crose Sugar syrup to store as they year. would Honey for those even short- • Treat for Nosema Honey Reporters er darker days of Winter. You, of • More vigilant on mite sampling course sampled for mites in August Wanted and treated and then sampled again Region Four to see if your mite management deci- • Fall Re-Queening We are expanding our Honey sions got individual colonies down to • Closely monitor Mites and Con- Reporter popula on and need new less than three mites per 100 bees. trol better reporters in EVERY region. We ask If not that colony is most likely dead • Make Winter Nucs that you fi ll in most of the whole- it just doesn’t know it. Beekeeper • Control Mites Earlier sale or retail or both sec ons, most meetings are still being Zoomed if • Pray not cancelled. They aren’t the best • Treat for Mites. Mites are getting months, and our short survey on but it is better than nothing. We harder to kill the back. We give you a FREE sub- need this connection as Beekeepers. • Add Top Insulation scrip on for your service. So if you And we want you to be Successful are interested send an email to so here are the suggestions by Re- Region Five [email protected] and put gion from experienced Beekeepers. • Feed Which means they have been where • Sample, Treat, Sample then do it REPORTER in the subject line. In- you are and are still Beekeepers. again clude name, email, phone number • Take off Honey, then feed and and mailing address and we’ll get Region One treat you the next Honey Report form. • Feed if they don’t have at least 50 • Combine Weak colonies Sign up today and be a part of the lbs. • Treat for Nosema BEST Monthly Honey Price and Bee- • Combine weak colonies. Take keeping Management Report in the your losses now. industry. • Sample and Treat ‘Better’ • Insulate Hives • Check Mite Levels more often • Help ‘New’ Beekeepers in your area . . . No ‘Mite Bombs’

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 17 18 BEE CULTURE September 2020 It’s Summers Time – More Summer and More Loss – We’re still having an abnormally hot Summer for our part of the world. And as far as moisture, that’s been very sporatic too. We had about two weeks or more with hardly a drop of rain, then we had four days of down- pour. So Kim spends a lot of time watering because it’s so hot and dry and then no watering. I didn’t mow the lawn for three weeks and then what seemed very sudden it was out of control after the four days of rain and of course then I couldn’t get to it for a few days longer. But Summer is always a nice adventure to me. We have so many different kinds of plants and trees and there’s just always something blooming, vegetables growing, eve night blooming fl owers. It’s so easy to lose ourselves out here in our little Spieth Road spot. For brief moments we can forget what a crazy world it is that we’re living in. Evodia tree and Our Bee Bee (Evodia) tree is in full bloom. I know blooms. If you look some of you remember Richard Taylor, and some of you close you can see a younger beekeepers have heard about him. Kim got the couple of Bee Bee seeds from Richard probably close to 30 years honey bees. ago. You can see in the photo the tree is right next to our back door which is where we go in and out. It’s hard to see in the photos but it is covered with bees today. It’s 85° and sunny and it sounds like a swarm when you walk out the door. The bees love this tree and it blooms steady for close to a month depending on the weather. The goldenrod is just approaching blooming and it will be interesting to see what kind of fl ow we get. If you remember goldenrod bloom depends on the amount of rain you had around the fourth of July, and of course Moonfl owers. I can’t really remember if we had a lot of rain then. But hopefully we did and soon we’ll start to smell that unique, somewhat offensive smell of goldenrod as the bees process it in the hive. Once again I have to talk about folks we’ve lost since the last time. The beekeeping world lost two souls this past month – John Thomas and Bill Wilson. Please make sure you read about them on page 93 of this issue. Our Resurrection hearts go out to their families. lilies – sometimes And on a very personal note I lost my sister a week called surprise ago. She was 82 and she had been sick and for a few lilies and weeks we knew what was coming. But somehow that sometimes doesn’t make it any easier. Her name was Ellen, but called naked most of the world just called her Auntie. In fact, my two ladies. boys were probably 10 years old before they realized that she had a name other than ‘Auntie’. It’s hard under ‘normal’ circumstances to lose some- one who has known you literally your whole life. But it’s hard and confusing and disturbing under our present situation. You see my sister lived in Northern California and one brother lives in Southern California and anoth- er brother lives just outside New Orleans. So we can’t be together, it’s just not safe to do that. So what do you We will all miss her and hopefully before too much do. We’ve lost several close friends during this pandemic time passes we can all get together – really together – and every time we’ve said we’ll do something later. We’ll and celebrate Auntie. have a celebration when we can. But when will that be. Summer is winding down. This is the September is- So my niece is organizing a graveside service that sue already. Can you believe. Have a good rest of the we will all be at via ZOOM. Now the thing you need to season. know about Auntie is that she was the least techy per- Hugs to all of you. I hope to see you next year, some- son you’ve ever met. She had not embraced any of the where at a bee meeting. Be safe. digital world, ever.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 19 nsrstinsntansrsrrarsanrstsisarat tnnrstinstrBtrmitBintstin b mind though is when temperatures more leeway with timing, since the in your area are going to drop to the winter season is typically more mild. point where it would be too cold to Mary Reed open the hive to apply a treatment e or take another sample. You want to I am a big proponent of re- make sure the colony is ready to go queening in Fall instead of Spring. before the cold weather hits so you (Fall being at the end of July for don’t have to break their cluster. bees.) Colonies that raise Winter e Regardless, if you decide to apply bees with a brand new queen rath- another treatment, make sure you er than one that has been through do not use ApiGuard or any other a Spring build-up raise 3000 more thymol-based treatment. Using the Winter bees, go into Winter with same product repeatedly can cause fewer Summer bees to feed, and Varroa mites to develop resistance come out in Spring really fast and to the chemical and thus it be- strong. The slight brood break af- t comes an ineffective control method. forded by requeening allows time Check out the Varroa Management to treat for mites before the Winter Decision Tool from the Honey Bee bees are born, for better health and Health Coalition if you need help longevity. In most places, Winter a fi guring out what your other options bees begin to appear starting at the are (https://honeybeehealthcoali- end of August, so work backward tion.org/Varroa/). from there to plan your re-queen- Mary Reed, Chief Apiary Inspector, ing. Here’s a great research paper l Texas Apiary Inspection Service on this https://www.research- gate.net/profile/Lloyd_Harris2/ A. If you check https://hon- publication/272812304_The_ef- eybeehealthcoalition.org/varro- fect_of_requeening_in_late_ atool/ you will see that at any time July_on_honey_bee_colony_de- kQuestion – I am a new beekeeper of year, 3% is considered the danger velopment_on_the_Northern_ going into my fi rst northern Indiana zone, warranting prompt action. At Great_Plains_of_North_Ameri- Winter. I think I have read every- some times of year, this number is ca_after_removal_from_an_in- thing I can but just want to be sure. 2%, so it is a good idea to remem- door_winter_storage_facility/ I sampled for Varroa and came up ber this great resource and use it. links/56b6271508aebbde1a- with eight Varroa per 100 using al- It will even tell you what the options 79ca27.pdf. cohol wash August 1st. I treated are for conditions and weather. Ku- Tina Sebestyen for Varroa mites using ApiGuard. dos to you for monitoring for mites, Then I sampled again and came up treating with an organic option, and Question – What is wrong with the with three mites per 100. Is that checking again. existing queen? OK? Tina Sebestyen, President Emeritus, In the Fall, the scarcity model Four Corners Beekeepers Assoc fi rmly dominates the hive. Nutrition A. First of all, way to go for sam- Vice pres, CO State Bkprs Assn. sources become scarce. Brood rear- pling for mites and taking steps to ing slows, or ceases. reduce their population in your Question – What do you think about Fall bees are long-lived super hive! Second of all, two thumbs up requeening in Fall instead of Spring? organism guardians, morphometri- for thinking ahead about the win- cally ideal for scarcity. ter season and how you can start I think requeening in the Fall is The instinct of the hive bets it’s prepping your hives now so they a great management practice that life on the well being of the queen for are healthy and strong to survive not many beekeepers incorporate in over Winter survival. the coming months. Thirdly, great their operations. To me, the benefi t If your queen is meeting the in- job for sampling before AND after of requeening in the fall is that you stinctive needs of the hive – she is treating the hive so you know fi rst, can create a brood break (a great fi ne. whether you need to treat and then, Integrated Pest Management tech- Next Spring, if the super organ- if your treatment worked. It sounds nique for controlling Varroa mite ism of the hive decides to requeen; like ApiGuard did reduce the Varroa populations), and you have a young, you’ll know. population, but I would consider do- viable queen ready to go for the fol- Installing a new queen in the ing a follow-up treatment to try to lowing Spring. Beekeepers in the Fall may be right in some instances. get the mite count as close to zero northern states may need to think I tend to do less hive disturbing as possible. You could potential- a little more about when in the Fall in the Fall. The hive knows better ly wait a month, resample to see if they will requeen, to make sure that than I the well being of the queen. the mite population has changed, there is a strong worker population John Miller and determine your next steps from for the cold Winter months. Bee- Commercial Beekeeper 20 BEE CULTURE September 2020 there. One thing you have to keep in keepers in the south may have a bit AllAll BeekeepingBeekeeping IsIs LocalLocal AndAnd DiffDiff erenterent Kim

To be sure that information is the small hive beetle situation? If sneak some of. And consider a three relevant as to where you live, I try to you’re seeing them on frame tops, for one check. You’re looking at how time things that need to be done in inner cover and in cells you’ve got much honey is on the hive. If you’ve the southern and northern sections too many, not at all uncommon in already harvested from stronger hives of the country because temperatures, the south. Get traps, yesterday. The you’ll need to make sure that what’s honey flows and stresses can be between-frame V shaped plastic left is going to be enough. A good rule signifi cantly different. Look at the work well. And do your varroa test of thumb is to assume the honey fl ow map on this page that roughly by mid-July if possible. You should ends tomorrow and this is all you’ll divides the U.S. as north and south. treat if you fi nd more than one in a get. If it’s not enough, watch into Of course the border areas tend to 300 bee wash. And you want none August to see if more comes in, and be somewhat schizophrenic, some now because the bees that are born feed if not. The second thing to check years north, some years south. So if from now until October are the bees is the queen’s performance. Your that’s where you live, you’ll need to that overwinter, and you want them fi rst year brood nest should have, in pay attention to both areas, because healthy, wealthy and wise. Find out July, at least seven or eight frames it’ll probably be different next year. what others are using for treatments with brood of all stages on both And above all else, remember that all and follow instructions. Besides food, sides. Don’t worry if it’s close, rejoice beekeeping is local if it’s more. Older hives should have more. But if In The South not, queen replacement July is the key month for a is something to consider, lot of tasks in the beeyard, and if you can find one. By in the bee hive. In the south, September, hives with harvest is mostly complete under-performing queens because the majority of bloom should be combined with was over by late June, with strong, healthy colonies, perhaps a few crops hanging on removing the queen from for another month or so. Food the smaller colony. Check may be a problem for your bees, for all the usual suspects more so the further south you when it comes to diseases, are. If you harvested from an and make sure, make overwintered hive, you may have doubly sure to check your to feed, and the feed you are varroa population. If more giving is going to be Winter food, to be check for any diseases, and how than one in a 300 bee sample, stored, and, food for right now. Get a the queen is doing. There should you can probably get away with a Spring scale, one that you can hold in be several frames, six to 10, of all treatment right now, before the Fall one hand, with a hook on the bottom. stages of brood in July, tapering off fl ow from goldenrod. But don’t treat Lift the front, lift the back, add the in August and not having much by during the goldenrod fl ow. And, by two weights and, for two 10-frame the end of September. Combine weak all means, treat rather than harvest. deeps, top and bottom, bees, brood colonies if necessary, keeping the Treating now means you’ll have bees and food, the total should be 150 best performing queen. next Spring. Do the Spring scale trick pounds or more. If lighter fi rst choice mentioned above and you should be is honey from one of your healthy In The North at 150 pounds or more by the end of hives that has extra. Honey is always In the north, there are still honey September. Feeding for Winter food, the best choice. But if not, feed a 1:1 fl ows going on after July, but check if needed can start toward the end sugar syrup in July, moving to a 2:1 in July just in case. You may be of that month, continuing until hard in September until your weight is able to get a short harvest now from winter sets in. enough. And if you’re in a dearth, get overwintered hives, leaving enough For both areas, take a look at in and out during your inspections to for Winter food. If you started as a your beeyard. Weedy? Messy, with avoid too much exposure and starting package, probably no extra honey unused equipment or weeds all over, a robbing session. First year hives are will be available. Be generous the blocking entrances? Start getting it especially vulnerable now, so keep fi rst season and let them have it all. spiffed up now, so when the Winter checking for food as often as you But, on occasion you may have had a work begins in October you have can and feed until full. And what’s generous Summer fl ow that you can nothing in your way. BC

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Back in the USA! Known as the manufacturers of some of the best and most wanted beehive products in the world, Anel is now back in the U.S. via South- east Bee Supply (www.southeast- bee.com). Anel, formerly a major suppli- er to Brushy Mountain produces the yellow “fl oaters” division feeders which have proven to be a Bee’s best friend. The fl oaters prevent drown- ing and come standard in every deep Two 10-frame bottom boards division feeder. are available – Solid (shown) and To access the fl oats, simply slide ventilated. the black plastic cover to one side Both have front hive closures and remove the fl oats. Place one in standard which can be reversed and each side and fi ll with syrup. used as mouse guards. And both fi t 10-frame wood hive Both feeders can be used to feed bodies. dry or patties simply by removing the plug in the bottom. Plastic stop- pers are included to go back to liq- uids.

Anel offers a 10-frame hive lid which is insulated with high densi- ty foam (think refi gerator sides) plus ventilation holes to remove mois- For information on any the Anel ture. The lid, as is all the Anel prod- products check with your local deal- ucts fi t both wood and plastic hive er, or go to www.southeastbee.com bodies usng clamps (included). to fi nd the dealer nearest you.

A medium depth division feeder is also offered without the fl oats.

Another pair of popular feeders from Anel are the Nuc feeder and the ten frame top feeder. Both simply sit on top of the box, and the lid fi ts over the feed- er. The unique design helps prevent the bees from entering the liquid, thereby reducing drowning. By leav- ing the top feeder in place, the bees don’t become agitated while you re- fi ll the tank.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 25 APISTAN WORKS & HERE’S THE PROOF

95% 84% 94% Efficacy Efficacy Efficacy Apistan, field study: 84% efficacy Apistan, lab study: (Apiguard: 86%; Apivar: 79%; Apistan: 94.90% efficacy 95.72% Varroa mortality HopGuard: 64%), @ Mississippi (2019, Veterinary Bee (Insects, 2018) State University Inspector, Spain) (Insects 2018)

96% 97% 97% Efficacy Efficacy Efficacy Apistan: 96.92% Efficacy Apistan + 50 g Apiguard: 97.97% Apistan: 97% Efficacy (2018, Veterinary Bee Efficacy (2018, Veterinary Bee (2014, FNOSAD, France) Inspector, Spain) Inspector, Spain)

93% 91% 95% Efficacy Efficacy Efficacy Apistan: 93% Efficacy (2015, Apistan: 91% Efficacy (2016, Apistan: 95.22% (2017, FNOSAD, France) FNOSAD, France) FNOSAD, France)

Apistan should be used as part of an Integrated Pest Management Strategy Pockets of resistance are possible, we recommend trialling Apistan on a couple of colonies before widespread use.

www vitabeehealth.com VitaBeeHealthNorthAmerica 26 BEE CULTURE September 2020 VitaBeeHealth [email protected] Vita Bee Health is a trading name of Vita (Europe) Ltd. aminer comes to your home and you will manipulate your own bees. New Reading For The Fall – Each exam has a study book so you can prepare for the exam. The Complete BEE Handbook. His- as long as Dewey has, which is over After passing modules 1, 2, and 3 tory, Recipes, Beekeeping Basics, 50 years now. and one other from 5, 6 and 7 you and More. By Dr. Dewey M. Caron. In the back there are measure- are awarded the Intermediate The- Published by Rockridge Press, www. ment conversions, temperature °F ory Certifi cate and after passing all Rockridgepress.com. ISBN 978-1- and °C, and weights in ounces and modules you are awarded the Ad- 64611-987-5. 183 pgs., soft cover, grams, a page of resources, a list of vanced Theory Certifi cate. The last Color throughout, $16.99. beekeeping books for those more exam you take is on the history of inclined (thanks for mentioning the beekeeping, which this book partial- If there’s one thing you can say Backyard Beekeeper), and trust- ly covers in much more detail than about Dewey Caron, it’s that he nev- worthy internet sites. And he fi n- the existing study guide. When you er sits still. He gives talks all over ishes with all the references, sorted pass the eighth exam you become a the country, works at the Oregon out by which chapter he used them Master Beekeeper. State University Dept. of Horticul- for. This is a book you should have This book provides a fascinat- ture, writes reports for a host of on your shelf, because it has all the ing insight into how beehives, bee- beekeeping educational associations right information, and it would be keeping equipment and beekeep- plus over 20 book chapters, helps the perfect gift for someone who is ing methods have developed over with Master Beekeeper classes, and interested in bees, but doesn’t know the centuries. Lengthy observation keeps Africanized bees in Boliva. it yet. Kim Flottum enabled the discovery of the im- And he writes books. Nine of them portance of bee space by Rev. L. L. now. Langstroth, and after this discovery Though defi nitely educational the ingenuity of many beekeepers and full of great information, this has solved numerous problems as- book isn’t a hard core classroom text sociated with colony management. book. It’s fun, colorful and has both Bee Space to Bee Hive is the great graphics and great photos. He fi rst of two books describing the divided the book into basically three background to beekeeping as it is sections, each with three chapters. today. It covers the evolution of bee- Section 1 is The Past, Present and hives, the introduction of various Future of Bees, where he looks at types of beekeeping equipment over evolution, bees and society and the the years and the development of a future of bees. Section 2 is All About whole slew of beekeeping methods Honey Bees, where he looks at the and practices. history of beekeeping, the honey These include the contributions bee itself and basic beekeeping as of Francois Huber, William Carr, practiced today. Section 3 is The Julius Hoffman, Robert Manley, the Bee Lover’s Home and Garden. Here Bee Space to Bee Hive. Hives, bee- Porters, Colin Butler Charles Miller, is where I was surprised. There’s keeping equipment and beekeeping Gilbert Doolittle, Padgen’s swarm lots about gardening for all kinds of methods. Written by UK Master Bee- control, Snelgrove and Taranov and bees, and all about honey bee prod- keeper Andrew Gibb and US Master many, many more. ucts – honey, beeswax, propolis and Beekeeper Ann Harman. Published This publication and its com- pollen. And the fi nish was a real sur- by Bee-Craft Magazine in the UK. panion, Bee Hive to Beekeeper, to be prise – he put in a whole boatload Available from Bee Craft Limited released in September 2020, will be of recipes using honey, how to make and Northern Bee Books. 168 pages, invaluable to students of Module 8 candles, lip balm polish and soap. I color throughout, soft cover, $32.00. of the British Beekeepers Associa- didn’t know you had it in you Dew- tion examinations. Kim Flottum ey. In the UK, there is a Master Each chapter also has a short Beekeeper program. It is, however, section that sort of summarizes, or signifi cantly different than any Mas- sometimes highlights the informa- ter’s program in the U.S. They have tion in the rest of the chapter. One what are called Modules, there are is always numbers – called, appro- eight of them, and cover the basics priately, By The Numbers:. Another of honey bee management, honey is called You Better Bee-Lieve it. And bee products and forage, honey bee sometimes he’ll add a page labeled biology and behavior, breeding and FAQ, and sometimes a page titled history. There is an individual exam Bees in the popular imagination. for all of these, and only a select few These pages are always a color oth- are given each year, administered by er than white and are easy to fi nd, the British Beekeepers Association. and full of good information – even For the exams that require hands- for those of us who have been at this on bee management reviews, an ex-

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 27 A Story Of What Goes Around Comes Around

Steve R

The story begins at the Belmont commitment to the program. Will led around. Members of the Tri-State Correctional Institution, a Level 2 the charge as the program instructor Beekeepers and Harrison County prison located in St. Clairsville, Ohio and, as the curriculum evolved, Beekeepers of Ohio joined forces housing over 2600 inmates. Five additional support was solicited and raised over $3500 to fund the years ago, a swarm of honey bees from community partners. Enter educational program. The generous descended upon the correctional master beekeepers Steve Roth and fi nancial gifts were used to purchase facility, landing on a chain link fence. John Welty, also members of the the necessary items to create a It was an occurrence foreign to the Tri-State Beekeepers Association. formal apiary within the prison yard. employees and inmates, requiring Steve and John served as guest And now for another goes quick action to minimize the lecturers, and both were extremely around. For several years, the Tri- confusion and potential risk. Prison impressed by the level of attention State Beekeepers have held their employee Will May was summoned. the inmates maintained throughout club meetings in the main building As a beekeeper and member of the their presentations – a degree of of the Good Zoo, located in Oglebay Tri-State Beekeepers Association enthusiasm not often found in located in the neighboring city of classroom settings. Wheeling, WV, Will successfully As the program progressed into captured the swarm without incident the second and third years the need and relocated it in his own apiary. for additional equipment, colonies This unusual event sparked and textbooks became evident. This the interest of Belmont Correctional is the part that begins the goes Institution’s administration including employee Wayne Shook, a fellow beekeeper and member of Tri-State Beekeepers Association. As the correctional team strives to develop programs that educate and prepare inmates for reintegration into society, the concept of a novice beekeeping program and apiary within the prison was born. Will and Wayne set off to develop the Belmont Correctional Beekeepers Club– an educational program designed to cultivate and inspire novice beekeepers. In its infancy, the program accepted 50 inmates from a pool of 200 applicants. Selection was based on a variety of factors including past beekeeping experience, behavior while incarcerated, participation in other functions, and level of Zoo hive. Zoo hive. 28 BEE CULTURE September 2020 Park in Wheeling. Sharing a passion Colonel Earl Oglebay dating back to for bee and pollinator conservation, the early 1900s. The hive has been the Zoo provides complimentary placed in the atrium of Oglebay’s meeting space for the Association. Wilson Lodge and has become the To show their appreciation, the focus of demonstration and lectures. beekeepers again solicited donations Now in its fourth year, the to purchase hives and colonies Belmont Correctional Beekeepers that would be placed throughout Club boasts 65 members with Oglebay Park to educate guests experienced inmates serving as about the importance of honey bees mentors for newer students. The and pollinators. partnership between the Tri-State But wait, there is another Beekeepers and the inmates of comes around. The club gave the Belmont Correctional Institute the equipment to the inmates to has benefi ted both groups as well design, fabricate, and decorate the as continued to give back to the colonies. Not only did these talented surrounding community. The men construct hives, they created inmates have designed masterpieces beautiful works of art that capture that are not only appealing to the viewer’s attention, underscoring the eye, but also call attention to the important role of pollinators in the pollinators and their role in our ecosystem. Located at the Good the environment that we strive to Zoo, four of the artistic hives feature preserve. We are grateful to them for elaborate paintings of zoo animals, their contribution and look forward while the other is a realistic replica to the next episode of goes around Mansion hive. of the original summer homestead of comes around. BC

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34 BEE CULTURE September 2020 They don’t taste like chicken. The larvae and pupae of the Asian giant hornet taste like French fries. So says UC Davis-trained entomologist Matan DELICIOUS Shelomi, assistant professor of entomology at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan, whose course on “Edible Insects” is the largest in his department. Shelomi, a graduate of Harvard University, holds a doctorate in entomology from UC Davis, where he studied with major professor Lynn Kimsey, who directs the Bohart Museum of Entomology and serves as a professor of entomology in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. Shelomi recently posted an intriguing comment on the Facebook page, Is This a Murder Hornet? “More like delicious hornet,” he wrote. Asian giant hornets, sensationally nicknamed “murder hornets” by non-entomologists, continue to grab front-page headlines. The fi rst colony detected (and eradicated) in North America occurred last September on HORNETS Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Then a single dead one was found in Blaine, WA, in December. The world’s largest hornets (they can measure Kathy approximately two inches in length), they attack and kill honey bees and feed the remains to their young. pupae dishes, “raw and fried, from a small restaurant They can decimate a hive. Thus, beekeepers worry that in Hualien in eastern Taiwan. You can also fi nd it in the AGH will invade North America, become established, Huaxi night market in Taipei, if it’s in season.” and cripple the apiculture industry. The Washington “Several bee and wasp species have edible brood, State Department of Agriculture and Washington State which can be fried, steamed, roasted, cooked with soy University Extension are asking residents to keep a and sugar, or eaten raw,” Shelomi wrote. “Even honey bee lookout for them and report any sightings. brood is edible! While it’s not exactly commonplace, Asian The newly acquired nickname, “murder hornet,” giant hornet has been or is still consumed in parts of triggers fear. But amid the panic, terror and near hysteria, China, Japan, Taiwan, and northeastern India.” (Source: it’s important to point out that there is NO national “Edible Insects of the World” by Jun Mitsuhashi) invasion and they are NOT coming for us. “To get the brood, you must harvest the nest. ‘Isn’t This insect was previously known as the Asian giant that dangerous,’ you ask? Yes, in the same way extracting hornet or AGH before the BBC, the New York Times and honey is dangerous. Stay safe by collecting at night when other media labeled it “the murder hornet.” they are resting, using smoke to pacify them, and wearing UC Davis distinguished professor Walter Leal, who protective clothing. To fi nd the nests of edible wasps, studied and worked in Japan, and speaks Japanese, says Japanese harvesters tie a cotton ball to a piece of fi sh someone’s mistranslation of Japanese research led to meat and present it to a female wasp. She will carry it “yellow” translated as “killer.” Leal told us: “The Asian home, and you can follow her to fi nd the nest! That’s a giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia, is called “Kiiro Suzume bit harder with the giant hornet, as they can travel 2km Bachi” in Japanese. It injects its venoms, sometimes on their foraging runs. They are not exactly rare in East inducing severe anaphylaxis. The translation is incorrect. Asia [for now], so those in the know can fi nd nests easily. Kiiro means yellow, but it was translated as “killer.” A helpful trick is to harvest the adults fi rst. At night, Indeed, the BBC report on May 4 managed to insert knock down the nest, put a big bowl of rice wine in front “coronavirus,” “murder hornets” and “terror” in the same of the entrance, and shine a bright light. The wasps get sentence. The lead: “Even as the U.S. remains under stunned by the light and fall into the wine. You can then attack from the coronavirus outbreak, a new terror has harvest the adults and steep them in wine to make a arrived: ‘murder hornets.’” medicinal alcohol, and take the brood as a snack. Who’s Not “murder” hornets to Matan Shelomi: “Delicious murdering who now!” hornets.” “In case you were wondering, fried murder hornet On the newly created Facebook page dispelling tastes like French fries: if you can eat a potato, you can eat the myths and misinformation about the giant hornet, a pupa. That said, if you are allergic to shellfi sh, you may Shelomi posted photos of Vespa mandarinia larvae and also be allergic to insects and should not consume them.” “Oh, and insects cannot get any coronaviruses, so don’t worry about that either. Save a pangolin; eat a wasp.” Shelomi’s post prompted Facebook member Geevee Snow of Brooklyn, NY, to comment: “My stomach just growled.” BC

Photos by Matan Shelomi.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 35 found in translation Parasites With A Mind Of Their Own Jay E, USDA Beltsville Bee Lab

By definition, parasites and much a ‘thing’ in nature and they out cats, the primary reproductive pathogens are not in it for the might well be important for bees and host for Toxoplasma. The cats oblige benefi t of their hosts. Fortunately, their attackers. by eating the mice, parasites and all their appetites for host destruction The British Broadcasting (see “Rats, cats, people and parasites: are constrained by their small size, Corporation presents a top-ten The impact of latent toxoplasmosis reproductive rates, and the need list of parasites that change the on behavior”, Microbes and Infection, to keep their food sources (us, in behaviors of their hosts in an article 2002, https://doi.org/10.1016/ some cases, bees, in other cases) entitled “Ten sinister parasites that S1286-4579(01)01459-9, by Joanne alive long enough to sustain them control minds” (http://www.bbc. Webster). or their offspring and deliver them com/earth/story/20150316-ten- But enough about other species, to the next victim. Parasites and parasites-that-control-minds). They Bee Culture readers surely want to pathogens are also constrained start with zombie ants, whose fungal know if something like this could by social, behavioral, and internal parasites drive them to a perfectly happen in bees. In the column defenses mounted by their hosts. moist tree habitat, then paralyze them “Bee space in the time of disease” It is especially interesting when a as the fungus continues growing. (Bee Culture, July, 2020), I showed tiny parasite or pathogen changes Eventually the fungus bursts from examples of infection-driven behavior the behavior of a giant walking, or the long-dead host and showers that benefi ted bee hosts, including flying, victim. For the most part, future victims below with infectious grooming and social distancing, these behavioral changes benefi t the spores. As another sample, many alongside hints that parasites were host: picture bees that bite mites or species of crickets and grasshoppers, tied to behaviors that benefit the those that clean out diseased brood. which rarely swim, are driven to leap parasites at the expenses of bees Hygiene is a key behavioral defense into water when infected by parasitic or their colonies. This topic was of humans as well, along with social ‘hairworms’. In an extensive study tackled in a grand way in a recent isolation (heard of that?) and other by Frédéric Thomas and colleagues paper by Amy Geffre and colleagues highly evolved behaviors, up to and (“Do hairworms (Nematomorpha) entitled “Honey bee virus causes including our search for medicines manipulate the water seeking context-dependent changes in host and treatments. Nevertheless, when behaviour of their terrestrial hosts?”, social behavior”, (https://www. looking at the behavioral responses Journal of Evolutionary Biology, pnas.org/content/117/19/10406. of our species to the parasite-of- https://onlinelibrary.wiley. short). These researchers studied the-day, some might argue that our com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1420- Israeli Acute Paralysis virus (IAPV) behaviors are instead driven by the 9101.2002.00410.x), the answer a worldwide virus of honey bees. will of these parasites to survive was a clear “Yes!”. Insects found in They carefully infected some bees and reproduce. Hopefully this is not pools inevitably had hairworms, while with IAPV while others were given a often the case for humans, but such this parasite was rare in more typical non-infectious immune-stimulating parasite-driven behaviors are very insects found grazing on dry ground. mimic of this virus or simply sugar The passion of infected insects for water. Infected and healthy bees were water was absolute, i.e., “Crickets then returned to small colonies in (N. sylvestris) that had been rescued which every single bee had traceable (n =10) immediately returned to tags mounted on their backs. Infected the edge of the swimming pool and bees roamed the hives much like jumped in again.” More ambitious healthy bees, and even received parasites cause their hosts to move contacts by nestmates at the same somewhere that a new host, often rates, as measured by antennal taps. a different species, stands ready to Still, virus infected bees, along with be infected. A classic such behavior bees that had received the sham involves the parasite Toxoplasma and immune-stimulation, were less likely mice. Mice infected with this parasite to share food with their nestmates. throw caution to the wind and seek There was something about this

36 BEE CULTURE September 2020 perceived or real sickness that cut bee-to-bee feeding short at the last moment. The authors suggest that the chemical smells released from challenged bees were perceived by their nestmates, leading these same nestmates to decide to distance. The fact that both an actual infection and a sham simulated infection caused FOR ALL YOUR PROCESSING NEEDS shunning suggest that this might be a general trait of bee social interaction. This is perhaps not surprising given the strong pressure on colonies to squash potential infections in their ranks. Behaviors became even more interesting when challenged bees AMERICAN MADE IN OUR NEW FACTORY were introduced to the guard bees of 3100 EXTRACTOR neighboring colonies. Surprisingly, 978-772-BEES infected bees, and not those with www.MaxantIndustries.com simply a turned-on immune response, were accepted by guard bees at a high rate. Guard bees are not known to express anything close to empathy for the sick, so it is plausible that infected bees had a unique smell, induced by the virus, that made them somehow less offensive to bees from another colony. It is tempting to speculate that this change is driven by the virus itself, as an avenue for increasing its spread, but that is a lot to ask of a tiny virus. Perhaps it is, again, a general feature of sick bees that is independent of the agent that caused them to become sick. Either way, these results are important for understanding how viruses and other agents move through apiaries, and there are many more diseases that would be interesting to test as bee door-busters. These new technologies, paired with the expanded acceptance that tiny parasites and pathogens might commandeer their hosts, will allow this to be done. And, before you think that humans are immune from such manipulations, there are indeed some studies showing we are increasingly social, if only slightly, when exposed to viruses and parasites. At least we do not need a hairworm infection to jump into pools, nor do we pounce on infected mice. Yay, us, for that. Keep fi ghting back! BC

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September 2020 BEE CULTURE 39 KatyE Easy split my 5 Steps wait until the colony is at least two, preferably three, hive bodies tall and seems crowded. colony? Step 2 – Once you have decided Splitting, or dividing colonies is instructions for a simple technique it’s time to split, the second step is a common practice for beekeepers to split a colony, without needing to gather your equipment including a to help prevent swarming, and to move or shake frames of worker smoker, hive tool and an empty hive. is an excellent tool to increase bees. This technique involves fi ve For the specifi c method outlined here, colony numbers and compensate for steps: (1) deciding when to split, it is important to split on a sunny previous Winter losses. Swarming (2) equipment prep, (3) fi nding the afternoon (above 50˚F) when the bees is a normal sign of a productive queen, (4) splitting the colony’s are active. This ensures enough bees and strong colony, but it can pose resources (pollen and honey), and are foraging (see step-5), plus the a problem for many beekeepers and (5) switching locations. I have also bees will be relatively gentle and the severely depress honey crops due to included a sketch that illustrates this queen easier to fi nd. To make the loss of bees. Swarming is when the splitting protocol. transfer of frames easier, I set up the queen, along with the majority of Step 1 – The biggest challenge empty hive close by the colony that worker bees, leave to establish a new of splitting a colony is knowing I will split. nest, for example in a neighboring exactly when to split. Colonies begin Step 3 – Now you will need to fi nd tree or shed. Despite the many tools swarming preparations weeks in the queen. Finding the queen takes available to prevent swarming – advance and if you know what experience and can often be diffi cult including creating additional space visual cues to look for, you will know for beginners. Two options to make with supers and removing queen when to split. These include colony her easier to fi nd are (i) a few days cells – the most reliable tool is to congestion, presence of queen cells, in advance, fi nd and place her in the split a colony before it swarms. Peak drone brood, and increased fl owering top or bottom super with a queen swarming season coincides with intensity. However, waiting for all of excluder or (ii) marking her with a peak fl oral bloom during Spring, as these cues to be evident runs the paint marker (purchased at a local lengthening days and ample fl oral risk that the colony swarms before offi ce supply). Once you have spotted resources stimulate brood rearing, you can act. Many beekeepers split the queen, move her along with the which can lead to overcrowding early in the season, about four to frame she is on to the new colony inside the colony. Early Spring is the six weeks prior to the peak fl oral (*referred to as “daughter colony”) best time to perform splits, which in bloom. This allows ample time for bee to prevent injuring the queen. While temperate regions typically occurs populations to build up and produce searching for the queen, be careful in April or May. It is not uncommon enough honey for harvest. If you not to damage any queen cells. to split during Summer to prevent a are splitting a colony before queen These are typically found along the small secondary peak in swarming cells are present but you don’t have bottom edge of the frame, but it’s not coinciding with the onset of fall access to a queen or queen cell, it is uncommon to fi nd them on the faces blossoming. not uncommon to let the bees rear a of comb. You may see anywhere from Splitting a colony can be queen from worker eggs. Nonetheless, fi ve to 25 queen cells in a colony at a daunting task, particularly for a common mistake is to split a colony one time. beginners. Here are step-by-step that is too small; it is advisable to Step 4 – After moving the queen, you should divvy up the original colony’s (*referred to as “parent colony”) resources (pollen and honey) equally between both colonies. I would not attempt to shake or remove bees from the frames as this will agitate them. Be sure to retain all the brood and queen cells in the parent colony; if a queen cell is placed in the daughter colony with the laying queen, it could stimulate a swarm. Step 5 – Now you will have to switch locations of the colonies, placing the daughter colony in the same location as the parent (a) The queen and about 60% of workers leave en masse and cluster on a nearby object, colony. Because the majority of bees fi such as a tree, before nding a suitable nest. (b) A colony occupying an abandoned remained with the parent colony, shed near harrison Valley, PA. (photos by Katy Evans) 40 BEE CULTURE September 2020 the daughter still has relatively few Four visual bees. After moving the daughter cues that indicate it is colony, its population will quickly time to split in- rebound since the foragers – which clude (a) colony comprise about 1/3 of the colony’s congestion population - will return to the exact (photo by GPS location where the parent colony Katy Evans), (b) presence had been. Provide the dau ghter of queen cells colony with empty frames and a super (photo by Nick to allot more space for the queen to Sloff), (c) drone continue laying and foragers to store brood (photo by Nick Sloff), resources. The majority of bees that (d) and intense remained in the parent colony are fl owering nurse bees that have yet to leave (photo by Katy the hive and make their orientation Evans) fl ight and, therefore, will return to the new location that you choose for the parent colony, whether it be the same or a different apiary. As adult bees emerge, the population should grow and a new queen will soon begin laying. At this point, you can leave the parent colony to rear a new queen or alternatively introduce a queen cell from another colony or a mated queen with specifi c genetics. If introducing a new queen cell, you should do it immediately. If introducing a mated queen, wait three full days before doing so and remove any existing queen cells, otherwise the bees could reject her. It will take on average three A marked queen. In general, it is easier to weeks before you will spot eggs, so fi nd a marked queen and allows you to it is important to be patient. If the monitor her throughout the course of the season. A paint marker can be purchased weather does not permit foraging at a local offi ce supply. (photo by Katy or you are splitting early before full Evans) Purchased queens commonly arrive in a fl oral bloom, supplemental feeding three-hole Benton queen cage along with is recommended. Feeding can be two or three worker attendants that feed done by adding frames of honey or and groom her during transit. (photo by Nick Sloff. alternatively by using a mason jar, chicken feeder or a division board with sugar syrup. More details about swarming biology and a step by step animation

Capped queen cells resemble a peanut in which the queen emerges from the tip. They are usually found along the bottom edge of a frame. A colony can rear as many as 25 queen cells. (photo by Nick Sloff)

A congested colony indicating that it is time to split. (photo by Katy Evans)

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 41 Examples of methods to feed a colony including a chicken feeder (a) and a division board (b). With division boards, it is best to include an object that the bees can land on so they do not drown (e.g. ladders or styrofoam balls).

of splitting can be found in the video “Colony Division: an easy method to split a colony: www.extension. psu.edu/colony-division-an-easy- method-to-split-a-colony. Good luck and happy beekeeping! I would like to acknowledge Craig Cella for his ideas on colony splits, Jamie McLaren for reviewing article drafts, and Nick Sloff (Entomology department, Pennsylvania State University) for sharing his photos. The video was developed in coordination with the Entomology department at Pennsylvania State University and Penn State Extension. BC

*In the video I refer to the parent colony as “original colony” and daughter colony “split”.

Katy Evans can be contacted at [email protected].

42 BEE CULTURE September 2020 Zoonotic Disease and Public a parasitic disease of honey bees that Health is a course I have had the joy does not always make the headlines, of teaching to pre-health students but mirrors examples of other disease BEE for over 10 years. The course’s processes we see highlighted in our content covers all types of infectious world. No, it is not the “murder” or VET diseases and how they affect and Asian hornet, but a disease that connect humans, animals, and the is and should be on beekeepers’, environment. Some of my students entomologists’ and veterinarians’ affectionately call it “Zoo” or even radar: Tropilaelosis. riasis the “poo” class, because so many Tropilaelosis is a mite infestation diseases can be transferred through of Apis mellifera (European honey Dr. Tracy fecal/oral contamination. Eww, but bee) caused primarily by two major true! Many students are amazed species: Tropilaelaps clareae or to discover how many diseases Tropilaelaps mercedesae. These surround us, how the health of our mites’ natural honey bee hosts (Apis world is so interrelated, and under dorsata, Apis laboriosia, and Apis normal circumstances, how most breviligula, “giant” honey bees) are of us are blessed with a wonderful better adapted host species of honey immune system. Certainly, these bees compared to Apis mellifera. same observations apply to honey Their natural range is found in Asia, bees and their health. Indonesia, and the Philippines. The Emerging infectious diseases is mites have also been reported in parts one topic we cover during the “zoo” of Africa, including Kenya and the course. Emerging infectious diseases Republic of the Congo. Tropilaelosis are infections that have recently is currently a disease regulated appeared in a population of humans world-wide and monitored by the OIE or animals. Emerging diseases often (The World Health Organization of arise when they are brought into Animals) as a notifi able disease and new geographical ranges and/or the USDA as a reportable disease. species. Some causes of emerging These mites are one reason why populate a colony much faster than disease may not have been previously honey bee importation is limited in Varroa and therefore, take down a known, while others may already be the U.S. colony quickly. Tropilaelaps mites are known, and pose a serious threat, The lifecycle of the mite is unable to feed on adult bees, so their if they are able to increase their somewhat like Varroa with the phoretic phase is much shorter than geographic range. Ebola, Zika, Rocky reproductive cycle involving a gravid Varroa, usually only three days. This Mountain Spotted Fever, Varroosis, foundress mite invading a brood characteristic force the mites back and COVID-19 are all examples of cell, egg laying, developing mites into the brood for yet another quick emerging diseases. Many emerging parasitizing and often killing the reproductive cycle, killing more brood diseases often originate from “foreign” larvae/pupae, and re-emergence of and making more mites. Despite the or “exotic” diseases (or newly named new adult mites. Compared to Varroa, short phoretic period, adult bees are “transboundary diseases”). Foreign, the reproductive cycle is relatively still able to spread mites to other exotic or transboundary diseases short, only about one week, and all hives via swarms, package bees, are diseases that naturally exist in a mites emerge from the brood cell exchange of frames bees between certain country, continent, or areas including the males. This feature hives, drifting, and robbing. of the world, but may cross borders, allows the Tropilaelaps mites to Mites are diagnosed and treated continents and/or oceans to infect new regions. If allowed to move into new geographical areas, foreign diseases can emerge in a population with little natural immunity against the disease agent. Therefore, these A swarm from diseases can cause high morbidity our apiary. and/or mortality when introduced Tropilaelaps to the new population of animals can be or humans. In our modern world, transmitted international trade and travel through swarms. often accommodates hitch-hiking (photo by diseases and pests. To safeguard Deidre Ressler) animal health in the U.S., a list of foreign animal diseases (FAD) is continuously monitored by the USDA and accredited veterinarians. But what about bees? Do they have a current “FAD”? They do. It is

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44 BEE CULTURE September 2020 using similar methods to Varroa. world, including the U.S., Europe, Adult honey bee samples can be Australia, and Canada. However, checked for mites with alcohol wash awareness and prevention of diseases or sugar roll. While mite counts are keys to keeping our honey bee levels have yet to be established population safe. How diverse animal for Tropilaelaps, any mites found species, humans, and diseases can would be significant. The mites be, yet how much is still shared are visible with the naked eye, but and interconnected, amazes me. they are smaller and move faster Studying and understanding these that Varroa. They are easier to similar biological and epidemiological observe in capped drone brood. principles are paramount to Tropilaelaps, right, next to a Varroa. Univ Sticky board or “bumping” frames to understanding how we can all work of FL photo. dislodge mites onto a white surface together to best promote our collective can also be used for detection. At health. BC tice, academia, and research for over 20 the colony level, infestations will years. She currently teaches a wide vari- result in rapid colony collapse or References & for further ety of bio-health related courses and leads absconding. Brood comb may be informational links: student research. Since 2016, Dr. Farone severely affected due to high mortality De Guzman, Lilia I. , Williams Geoffrey has been researching beekeeping and bee infected larvae and pupae. Treatment R., et.al., “Ecology, Life History, and medicine. She was granted a sabbatical should involve an IPM approach. Management of Tropilaelaps Mites”, to pursue apicultural studies and develop Treatments can include common Journal of Economic Entomology, a small teaching and research apiary at acaricides used for Varroa, along Volume 110, Issue 2, April 2017, Pages her College. She traveled to France, Scot- with biological controls of inducing 319–332, https://doi.org/10.1093/ land, and Canada, where she met and brood breaks, brood removal and jee/tow304 Published:08 March 2017. worked with multiple bee experts. These caging the queen. Treatment timing Vidal-Naquet, Nicolas. Honeybee experiences provided Dr. Farone with a protocols should consider the short Veterinary Medicine: Apis mellifera L., unique perspective in the development of phoretic period of the mites. Being 5m Publishing, 2015, pp.138-142. relationships between veterinarians and unable to parasitize adult bees is one OIE policies on Tropilaelaps mites: beekeepers. To share these lessons with biological weakness of Tropilaelaps, https://www.oie.int/fileadmin/ others, Dr. Farone has created veterinary that we can exploit. Natural broodless Home/eng/Health_standards/tahc/ continuing education lectures, writings, periods and overwintering are ways current/chapitre_tropilaelaps_spp. and programs for local, regional, and na- to limit or control these parasites. pdf. tional audiences, focusing on bee health. Luckily and so far the geographic Great picture of Tropilaelaps: Dr. Farone enjoys spending time with her range of Tropilaelaps has largely been https://beeaware.org.au/archive-pest/ family, running, horseback riding, SCUBA limited due to this “tropical nature” tropilaelaps-2/#ad-image-0 diving, and of course, just “beeing” with of the mite. However, some honey bee USDA bee mite ID, Tropilaelaps: http:// her backyard hives. colonies in South Korea, with a more idtools.org/id/mites/beemites/ temperate climate, have been found factsheet.php?name=15241 to support Tropilaelaps mites. Tropilaelaps info sheet: https://www. There is more bad news. While aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_ rare, Varroa and Tropilaelaps can pest_info/honey_bees/downloads/ co-infect colonies, but Tropilaelaps Tropilaelaps-InfoSheeta.pdf usually out competes Varroa. USDA national honey bee survey Tropilaelaps has also been found to information including surveillance be a vector for viruses, like DWV. for Tropilaelaps: https://www.aphis. The good news: Tropilaelaps has usda.gov/plant_health/plant_ not yet been reported in much of the pest_info/honey_bees/downloads/ SurveyProjectPlan.pdf USDA reportable bee diseases: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ monitoring-and-surveillance/sa_ nahss/status-reportable-disease- us/!ut/p/z1/lZJNU4MwEIZ_Sw8cI RvaodQbIFNQqGMtirl0gqbADCVME mT015vWkx9tMZd8zPPuZt9dRFCO SEvf6pKqmre00fdn4mxXOFiCO8PJ 2” thick wall with R8 insula on value! MrzG4EWL-DaaOwD3Nno6AsndLMD- A-g99MEL1_M0DGMb8BSR_- Toll Free 844-260-2015 kfI0frN9lm5WI_ Business 740-501-3346 [email protected] Dr. Tracy Farone, BS, DVM, is a Profes- The next genera on of hive ware sor of Biology at Grove City College. She www.superiorbee.com Danger emerging from the shadows. worked in various areas of private prac-

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46 BEE CULTURE September 2020  “The fat body in insects is a multifunctional tissue with intensive biosynthetic activity. In honey bees, it is found mainly in the abdominal cavity of the individuals- larvae, pupae and imago. It is composed predominantly of fat cells, where fats and glycogens are formed and accumulated. A small number of its cells (enocytes) perform secretory function. There are synthesized reserve proteins, which are important for the development of individuals. The fat body is most strongly developed in totally shaped larva after completion of its nutrition. Ivanova and Staikova (2007) investigated age specifi city of protein expression in the fat body of honey bees during the ontogenesis of the individuals. By using 7.5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 189 individual samples of fat body extracts were investigated in the course of their development in the following stages and ages: larvae-third, fourth and fi fth larval age (L3, L4, L5); prepupae (PP) and pupae-white-eyed and dark-eyed pupae (WP, DP). A total of 25 protein fractions were expressed in the fat body of male and female individuals during their development. Some sex-differences in studied fat body proteins were observed.” “Bees store food within their bodies at different stages in their lives, and to varying degrees through the seasons. The storage occurs in loose aggregations of cells known as the fat body. These cells are predominantly in the roof A Closer of the abdomen around the dorsal diaphragm, in the fl oor of the abdomen, particularly above the wax glands and to some extent around the sides of the abdomen. The cells of the fat body can store lipids (fats), carbohydrate (as glycogen) and protein in albuminoid granules. Scattered LOO k among the fat body are cells known as enocytes. These are larger, and have a more uniform appearance to the cytoplasm. They have a different origin to other fat body cells, being derived from the ectoderm or surface layer; whereas the fat body cells are mesodermal. The enocytes FAT BODY FUNCTIONS enlarge markedly when wax production is taking place. The precise function of enocytes in fat metabolism and Clarence nutrition is still uncertain (Stell 2012).” Insect fat body is a specifi c tissue, the role of which is not limited to the storage of energy resources in the tintinaiss form of fat and glycogen. It is also a site in the body where numerous metabolic processes occur. Moreover, it plays the queen and all other adult bees (Amdam et al. 2003a), a role in detoxifi cation, as well as being a precursor of it promotes immunity, stress resilience and longevity the synthesis of egg yolk. The fat body is also responsible (Amdam et al. 2004), and it infl uences hormone levels, for magnetoreception and the immune response. It is a behavioral maturation and foraging biases (Guidugli et heterogeneous structure and exhibits regional differences al. 2005; Nelson et al. 2007).” that can be distinguished morphologically. Its functions “Honey bee societies are maintained by a highly can vary at different stages of the insect life (Chobotow structured division of labor between queen and workers, and Strachecka 2013). and between workers with different phenotypes (Nunes “The gene vitellogenin (Vg) is generally expressed et al. 2013). Workers display different behavior in an in the abdominal fat body cells and serves as a yolk age-related sequence, starting with labor inside the nest precursor in egg development in reproductive females and usually ending with foraging activities (Winston (Nunes et al. 2013). However, Vg has evolved non-oogenic 1987). A worker’s transition from nest tasks to foraging (egg development) functions where the gene is expressed is mediated by decreasing vitellogenin (Vg) levels and not only by reproductive queens but also by male drones increasing juvenile hormone (JH). Vg and JH have also and functionally sterile female workers (Engels 1974; Rutz been causally linked to transcriptional, physiological and and Lüscher 1974; Trenczek and Engels 1986; Piulachs metabolic changes in fat body and brain (Robinson 1987; et al. 2003). In worker honey bees, Vg protein is found in Huang et al. 1991; Nilsen et al. 2011; Wang et al. 2012). hypopharyngeal (head) glands and brain, in addition to fat RNA interference (RNAi) has been used to untangle causal body and ovary tissue (Seehuus et al. 2007; Münch and relationships between fat body signaling, brain and honey Amdam 2010). In workers, Vg has several functions: it bee behavior (Amdam et al. 2003b; Patel et al. 2007; incorporates into the hypopharyngeal glands for synthesis Nelson et al. 2007; Nunes and Simões 2009; Ament et of proteinaceous secretions (jelly) that are fed to larvae, al. 2011). RNAi mediated gene knockdown of Vg revealed

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 47  increased to a level of more than 4% in workers. Blood atisasrsnsir sugar levels varied inversely with levels of fat-body lipids during late Autumn and Winter. More protein bands were matrtinant observed during periods of heavy egg laying and brood rearing than at other times. The female-specifi c protein immnrsns ‘vitellogenin’ was observed in both female castes. The concept of ‘summer bees’ and ‘winter bees’ appeared to a number of the protein’s effects in honey bee workers, be appropriate to queens as well as to workers (Shehata including that Vg slows the onset of foraging, promotes et al. 1981).” pollen collection, and increases immunity, oxidative stress “The hypopharyngeal glands (HGs) of honey bee resilience and lifespan (Amdam et al. 2003a; Amdam et nurse workers secrete the major protein fraction of jelly, al. 2004; Nelson et al. 2007).” a protein and lipid rich substance fed to developing “Bees involved in brood care (nurses) have higher larvae, other worker bees, and queens. A hallmark lipid stores in their abdominal fat bodies than forager of poorly nourished nurses is their small HGs, which bees. Pheromone communication plays an important actively degrade due to hormone-induced autophagy role in regulating honey bee behavior and physiology. In (consumption of the body’s own tissue as a metabolic particular, queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) slows process occurring in starvation). To better connect the transition from nursing to foraging. Fischer and nutritional stress with HG degradation, Corby-Harris et Grozinger (2008) tested the effects of QMP exposure on al. (2019) looked to honey bees and other insect systems, starvation resistance, lipid storage, and gene expression where nutrient stress is often accompanied by fat body in the fat bodies of worker bees. They found that indeed degradation. The fat body contains stored lipids that are QMP-treated bees survived much longer compared to likely a substrate for ecdysteroid (hormone) synthesis, control bees when starved and also had higher lipid so they tested whether starvation caused increased fat levels. Expression of vitellogenin RNA, which encodes body lipolysis (the breakdown of fats and other lipids by a yolk protein that is found at higher levels in nurses hydrolysis to release fatty acids). Ecdysteroid signaling than foragers, was also higher in the fat bodies of QMP- and response pathways and IIS/TOR are tied to nutrient- treated bees. No differences were observed in expression dependent autophagy in honey bees and other insects, of genes involved in insulin signaling pathways, which are and so they also tested whether and where genes in these associated with nutrient storage and metabolism, thus, pathways were differentially regulated in the head and fat other mechanisms may be involved in increasing the body. They also injected nurse-aged bees with the honey lipid stores. These studies demonstrate that pheromone bee ecdysteroid makisterone A to determine whether exposure can modify nutrient storage pathways and fat this hormone infl uenced HG size and autophagy. They body gene expression in honey bees and suggest that found that starved nurse aged bees exhibited increased chemical communication and social interactions play an fat body lipolysis and increased expression of ecdysteroid important role in altering metabolic pathways.” production and response genes in the head. Genes in “Shehata et al. (1981) examined seasonal physiological the IIS/TOR pathway were not impacted by starvation changes in both queen and worker honey bees. Queens in either the head or fat body. Additionally, bees injected were relatively heavy and had large, well developed with makisterone A had smaller HGs and increased ovaries in the early Summer. This condition coincided expression of autophagy genes. These data support with a period of intensive egg-laying. Ovary development the hypothesis that nutritional stress induces fat body was accompanied by a large drop in fat-body lipids and lipolysis, which may liberate the sterols important for a signifi cant increase in fat-body protein. Ovaries of ecdysteroid production, and that increased ecdysteroid laying queens were about eight times as large as those levels induce autophagic HG degradation.” of virgins. Between November and January, when no “Ramsey et al. (2019) showed that the parasitic eggs were laid, queens were lighter and had smaller, varroa mite is not consuming hemolymph, as has been less-developed ovaries. The weight of workers remained the accepted view, but damages host bees by consuming essentially unchanged throughout the year. Fat-body fat body. Both hemolymph and fat body in honey bees stores in both queens and workers were high in Summer, were marked with fl uorescent biostains. The fl uorescence and then declined during September and October. A profi le in the guts of mites allowed to feed on these bees gradual build-up in queen fat-body stores began in was very different from that of the hemolymph of the November and continued through March. Total stores in host bee but consistently matched the fl uorescence the worker fat-body rose sharply in November, then fell profi le unique to the fat body. Via transmission electron again in December and January.” microscopy, they observed externally digested fat body “Blood sugar concentrations were high in both tissue in the wounds of parasitized bees. Mites in their queens and workers between June and October; caste reproductive phase were then fed a diet composed of one patterns diverged between December and June, when or both tissues. Mites fed hemolymph showed fi tness concentration dropped nearly to zero in queens but metrics no different from the starved control. Mites fed fat body survived longer and produced more eggs than Fatstrsintnsan those fed hemolymph, suggesting that fat body is integral to their diet when feeding on brood as well. Collectively, rrsriinmmran these fi ndings strongly suggest that Varroa are exploiting the fat body as their primary source of sustenance: a tninrintmr tissue integral to proper immune function, pesticide antr detoxifi cation, overwinter survival, and several other 48 BEE CULTURE September 2020 essential processes in healthy bees.” for silencing gene transcription in honey bees maintained “The fat body cells of the honey bee was shown to under natural conditions. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 39: 157- be reduced by the parasitic mite Varroa jacobsoni at the 160. invasion intensity of one or two mites per bee (1153.01 Nunes, F.M.F., K.E. Ihle, N.S. Mutti. Z.L.P. Simões and G.V. ± 139.05 mkm2) and 3-4 mites per bee (952.68 ± 137.72 Amdam 2013. The gene vitellogenin affects microRNA mkm2 ) compared to un-invaded bees (3030.31 ± 336.87 regulation in honey bee (Apis mellifera) fat body and brain. J. mkm2 ), and as the consequence, the lifetime of the bees Exp. Biol. 216: 3724-3732. invaded by mites decreased (Nemkova and Rudenko Patel, A., M.K. Fondrk, O. Kaftanoglu, C. Emore, G. Hunt, K. 2003).” BC Frederick and G.V. Amdam 2007. The making of a queen: TOR pathway is a key player in diphenic caste development. References PLoS ONE 2: e509. Amdam, G.V., K. Norberg, A. Hagen and S.W. Omholt 2003a. Piulachs, M.D., K.R. Guidugli, A.R. Barchuk, J. Cruz, Z.L.P. Social exploitation of vitellogenin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Simões, and X. Bellés 2003. The vitellogenin of the honey bee, 100: 1799-1802. Apis mellifera: structural analysis of the cDNA and expression Amdam, G.V., Z.L.P. Simões, K.R. Guidugli, K. Norberg and studies. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 33: 459-465. S.W. Omholt 2003b. Disruption of vitellogenin gene function Ramsey, S.D., R. Ochoa, G. Bauchan, C. Gulbronson, J.D. in adult honeybees by intraabdominal injection of double- Mowery, A. Cohen, D. Lim, J. Joklik, J.M. Cicero, J.D. stranded RNA. BMC Biotechnol. 3:1. Ellis, D. Hawthorne and D. vanEngelsdorp 2019. Varroa Amdam, G.V., Z.L.P. Simões, A. Hagen, K. Norberg, K. destructor feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and Schrøder, Ø. Mikkelsen, T.B Kirkwood and S.W. Omholt not hemolymph. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 116: 1792-1801. 2004. Hormonal control of the yolk precursor vitellogenin Robinson, G.E. 1987. Regulation of honey bee age polyethism regulates immune function and longevity in honeybees. Exp. by juvenile hormone. Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 20: 329-338. Gerontol. 39: 767-773. Rutz, W. and M. Lüscher 1974. The occurrence of vitellogenin Ament, S.A., Q.W. Chan, M.M. Wheeler, S.E. Nixon, S.P. in workers and queens of Apis mellifi ca and the possibility of Johnson, S.L. Rodriquez-Zas, L.J. Foster and G.E. Robinson its transmission to the queen. J. Insect Physiol. 20: 897-909. 2011. Mechanisms of stable lipid loss in a social insect. J. Seehuus, S.C., K. Norberg, T. Krekling, K. Fondrk and G.V. Exp. Biol. 214: 3808-3821. Amdam 2007. Immunogold localization of vitellogenin in Chobotow, J. and A. Strachecka 2013. Morphology and function the ovaries, hypopharyngeal glands and head fat bodies of of insect fat bodies taking into account Apis mellifera L. honey honeybee workers, Apis mellifera. J. Insect Sci. 7: 1-14. bees. Medycyna Weterynaryjna 69: 712-715. Shehata, S.M., G.F. Townsend and R.W. Shuel 1981. Seasonal Corby-Harris, V., L. Snyder and C. Meador 2019. Fat body physiological changes in queen and worker honeybees. J. lipolysis connects poor nutrition to hypopharyngeal gland Apic. Res. 20: 69-78. degradation in Apis mellifera. J. Insect Physiol. 116: 1-9. Stell, I. 2012. Understanding Bee Anatomy: A Full Colour Guide. Engels, W. 1974. Occurrence and signifi cance of vitellogenins The Catford Press, Teddington, Middlesex, UK, 203 pp. in female castes of social Hymenoptera. Am. Zool. 14: 1229- Trenczek, T. and W. Engels 1986. Occurrence of vitellogenin 1237. in drone honeybees (Apis mellifi ca). Invertebr. Reprod. Dev. Fischer, P. and C.M. Grozinger 2008. Pheromonal regulation of 10: 307-311. starvation resistance in honey bee workers (Apis mellifera). Wang, Y., C.S. Brent, E. Fennern and G.V. Amdam 2012. Naturwissenchaften 95: 723-729. Gustatory perception and fat body energy metabolism are Guidugli, K.R., A.M. Nascimento, G.V. Amdam, A.R. Barchuk, jointly affected by vitellogenin and juvenile hormone in honey S. Omholt, Z.L.P. Simões and K. Hartfelder 2005. Vitellogenin bees. PLoS Genet. 8: e1002779. regulates hormonal dynamics in the worker caste of a eusocial Winston, M.L. 1987. The Biology Of The Honey Bee. Harvard insect. FEBS Lett. 579: 4961-4965. University Press, Cambridge, MA, 281 pp. Huang, Z.Y., G.E. Robinson, S.S. Tobe, K.J. Yaki, C. Strambi, A. Strambi and B. Stay 1991. Hormonal-regulation of behavioral Clarence Collison is an Emeritus Professor of Entomology development in the honeybee is based on changes in the rate and Department Head Emeritus of Entomology and Plant of juvenile hormone biosynthesis. J. Insect Physiol. 37: 733- Pathology at Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. 741. Ivanova, E. and T. Staikova 2007. Stage specifi city in the expression of proteins of honey bee fat body (Apis mellifera L.) in the course of ontogenesis. J. Cell Mol. Biol. 6: 129-135. Made in MAINE Quantity Pricing Available! Münch, D. and G.V. Amdam 2010. The curious case of aging plasticity in honey bees. FEBS Lett. 584: 2496-2503. Nelson, C.M., K.E. Ihle, M.K. Fondrk, R.E, Page and G.V. • Frames Amdam 2007. The gene vitellogenin has multiple coordinating • Boxes effects on social organization. PLoS Biol. 5: e62 • Outer Covers Manufacturers of Quality • Bottom Boards Nemkova, S.N. and E.V. Rudenko 2003. The state of the fat • Nuc Boxes body and the lifetime of honey bees (Apis mellifera) invaded Apiary Woodenware by Varroa jacobsoni. Vestnik Zoologii 37: 81-84. Try our budget frames & boxes today! 1-877-4-BEE-BOX Nilsen, K.A., K.E. Ihle, K. Frederick, M.K. Fondrk, B. Smedal, K. We think you’ll be pleased. (1-877-423-3269) Hartfelder and G.V. Amdam 2011. Insulin-like peptide genes in honey bee fat body respond differently to manipulation of [email protected]· www.humbleabodesmaine.com social behavioral physiology. J. Exp. Biol. 214: 1488-1497. 636 Coopers Mills Road, Windsor, ME 04363 Nunes, F.M.F. and Z.L.P. Simões 2009. A non-invasive method

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50 BEE CULTURE September 2020 BEFORE VARROA, THE DEADLY THREAT WAS TRACHEAL MITES

Trachael mites inside of the thoracic tracheae of a honey bee, M.E.A. magnifi ed 400 times. The mites multiply until they impede the fl ow of oxygen to the bee's organs and the expiration of carbon dioxide. Photo by Lilia de Guzman, USDA-ARS

They measure in millionths of a brought all his own bees to California 1919, caused, it’s thought, by the meter – about the width of a human in November in time to go into the tracheal mite, with possibly Nosema. hair, the thickness of a coat of paint almonds. “From 1200 colonies he The problem spread to mainland or a dust particle, so small that the ended up with 20,” said Heitkam. England and continental Europe. As size of the tracheal mite is noted with “I took some to Katy [Garrison, the a result, importation of live bees into its own sign: μm. But they were big bee inspector] in Shasta County who the United States was banned with enough to take down honey bees and looked at them under a microscope. the U.S. Honey Bee Act in 1922. their keepers. She said, ‘Bingo!’ By then we knew it In 1980, tracheal mites were Around 1985, California queen was tracheal mites.” found in Mexico, and four years later breeder Pat Heitkam met a beekeeper “When it hit us,” said California they were in Texas. They spread to all from Washington over a beer. “He queen breeder Jackie Park-Burris, the major beekeeping states in fewer offered a great apiary location in “it was really hard; the years around than fi ve years. High losses in 1986- huckleberries,” said Heitkam. “I 88, 89, 90, strong hives were softball 1989 were attributed to the mites in took 216 hives up, and when I got size. It was a real challenge.” the U.S., and they ultimately reached them back they looked terrible.” The To address the losses, The Asia, parts of Africa and North and colonies declined, “until I had maybe California Department of Food South America. 30 left. I remember on one I wrote: ‘8 and Agriculture (CDFA) called an Think of it, Acarapis woodi is half bees and the queen.’” open invitation meeting in Fresno. the size of a dust mite. It is semi- The Washington beekeeper “It was huge, it really was,” said glossy, has multiple setae (bristle- Eric Mussen, then the U.C. Davis like hairs), six legs, and a piercing Extension Apiculturist, who was mouthpart for feeding. It hangs out in the thick of it. “Every beekeeper in the adult honey bee respiratory interested brought their wives and system and can’t survive outside of kids and people working for them.” the host for more than a few hours. The CDFA proposal was whether to begin a search and destroy program One Small Step for a Mite with the aim of eliminating the mite. Acarapis woodi is one of three That mite, Acarapis woodi, came species of the genus Acarapis, mites with a history. On the Isle of Wight, found on the honey bee. The other off the coast of England, a devastating two, Acarapis dorsalis and Acarapis Acarapis woodi is the minuscule mite that bee epidemic killed 90% of the bees externus are scavengers that perch wrecked havoc with honey bees around the world, creating devastating losses. on the island between 1905 and externally, the first on top of the

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 51  thorax and the second in the neck spiracles of adult bees and lay half a checking expected to see mites region of the bee where they benignly dozen or so eggs over a few days. All running around on bees,” said go about their cleanup duties. “There of the instars live and mate within the Mussen. “But they are invisible, appears to be a natural relationship,” tracheae, except for the brief period except to very young eyes.” That said Keith Delaplane, a professor when a mated female goes out to fi nd was only the start of the enigma: of entomology at the University of a new host. She waits on the tip of a There are no reliable symptoms of Georgia. In a lecture, he points out hair on her host bee’s thorax until a mite infestation. Other problems, the tracheal openings in a bee, the passing young bee brushes by (she’s like Nosema and some viruses, are spiracles, which he fi guratively likens picky, no oldsters) and she can attach also associated with disabled bees to nostrils. “See that little fl ap of the to a new host. crawling on the ground or K-wing nostril cover? Some of the dorsalis In the tracheae, the mites damage (separated double wings). fi gured out that they could shimmy the walls by piercing them with their Jerry Hayes, editor of this under that little covering and get sharply pointed mouthparts, stylets, magazine, said, “Honey bee wings inside the warm and protected ‘lungs’ to feed on bee hemolymph, the fl uid are held together with hooks and of the bee, living quite nicely there. of the circulatory and lymphatic loops almost like Velcro. When the This was a relatively easy adaptation systems. Mite populations build up bees had tracheal mites, it was like for Acarapis to make.” in the larger trunks of the tracheae they have asthma: The bee didn’t For whatever reason, Acarapis and progressively occupy smaller have the strength to keep her wings woodi does not make an appearance tracheoles, limiting air fl ow. Although held together because of lack of in the record until early in the 20th drones can harbor more mites than oxygen. And they detached and voila century. “I would pose it more likely workers, workers are the primary the wings positioned themselves at a that Acarapis dorsalis differentiated host, since they are available all certain angle like the letter K.” into A. woodi in Europe sometime year. When queens are infected, their The only real way to diagnose a much earlier than that,” said weight suffers. tracheal mite outbreak is to examine Delaplane, “but that human changes An infestation of mites affects the bees, and that requires dissection. in beekeeping management, namely bee metabolism and can cause The bee’s head, fi rst set of legs and higher-density apiaries, provoked diminished ability of the bees to fi rst ring of the thorax, called the a proliferation of A. woodi in the regulate temperature. Clusters collar, are removed with scalpel and 19th and early 20th centuries. The loosen, populations drop, honey forceps to expose the tracheal trunk rarity and spotty distributions of A. consumption increases – which for placement on a slide. That’s woodi in the 1600s and subsequent combine to cause colony death. most easily done under a dissecting centuries meant that the North microscope, which is different from American importations dodged the Identifi cation a compound microscope, used to bullet by sheer luck, until the luck A bunch of [mite-infected] bees examine the tracheae of infected ran out in 1984.” would bail out of the hive,” said bees. Darkened blotches can indicate Mussen, “come marching out, half infection, with healthy tracheae light Baited Breath the colony over two days, all over in color. However, trachea may not Bee “lungs” are actually the ground, some with K-wing. I always be discolored when mites are branching tubes, tracheae, which could fi nd only 20% in a microscopic present, and discolored tracheae do lead from fi ve pair of spiracles to study with tracheal mites that were not always contain mites. reach every organ in the bee’s body, pulling 80% of the bees out. They’d Nonetheless, Park-Burris, whose transporting oxygen directly to the be gone in a week or 10 days. We’d family has been breeding queens cells and eliminating carbon dioxide. fi nd lots of dead bees; it looked like in Northern California since the Mites are attracted to the a pesticide kill.” 1930s, bought some microscopes exhausted air of the spiracles and But how could beekeepers know and went to work. “Our bee inspector to specifi c hydrocarbons from the the difference? Tracheal mites are not Katy Garrison taught dissection bee’s cuticle. Female mites enter the easy to diagnose. “Most beekeepers lessons,” she said. “We had to wing the treatments.” A group of professionals playfully Jackie Park-Burris, a calling themselves the Possum Northern California queen breeder, is Breeders – which Heitkam said part of a family that produced “some hilarious meeting has been breeding minutes” – got very serious about bees since the 1930s. the tracheal mite situation. They Like beekeepers brought Bill Wilson, then head of across the nation, her operation was the Weslaco lab in Texas, to speak: severely impacted “He knew all about menthol. We got by the tracheal mite a quick special-needs permit the infestation. second year to treat with menthol. photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey It was somewhat effective. People also started grease patties that were developed by Wilson. Most of us mixed Terramycin in – Terra Patties, which some say added to resistance

52 BEE CULTURE September 2020 build up.” The shortening appears to disrupt the questing female mites as they search for a new host. The bee on the “It was the first time that far left has disjointed beekeepers put chemicals into hives,” wings, also said Mussen. “Until then, agricultural called K-wing. chemicals were the worst thing. They A number of tried a series of pesticides. Menthol things can cause this, has to be 60°F or warmer [to volatilize including for effectiveness] but up to 90°F it will tracheal mites fumigate a colony.” but also nosema Park-Burris said, “I learned to and possibly dissect bees before treatment and viruses. Photo courtesy after. After treatment, the number of of the Bee mites was better, but the bees were Informed not better. For three to fi ve years it Project was a struggle to make a pollinating colony.”

The Fateful Decision At the Fresno meeting, the large Department of Agriculture had best, we’d have something.” Adding crowd listened to presentations. adopted a program to eliminate this a couple of pounds of healthy bees One of the problems was that the mite. They were depopulating entire to an infected hive seemed to help. literature from Europe did not always apiaries. It was a very bad situation.” “What happened to the tracheal agree, and beekeepers, research We called the [California] program mites? I don’t know what happened,” scientists and regulatory officials off,” said Mussen. “They couldn’t he said. “We tried to select for had differing opinions on the data. A control it. It was always ahead of us. hygienic behavior. We don’t even look British honey bee disease specialist, We wouldn’t have a beekeeper left in for them anymore. It was a bad deal Leslie Bailey, came to say the mites the state.” over a long time.” were nothing to worry about. Roger Park-Burris said, “When we fi rst Morse from Cornell said the same, What Happened to the looked, the bee’s trachea was just although he later changed his view. Tracheal Mites? plugged with them. We had 90% – out Beekeepers at the meeting reported Heitkam said, “I realized early of 10 bees, nine were infested – and at that the mites were having a serious on that you couldn’t fix them. the end, 1-2%. We did all the things impact and spreading faster than You couldn’t medicate them, you I normally do to select a breeder. At predicted. CDFA scientists said that couldn’t see them.” Early on he fi rst I took one with 10% and then 5% the situation looked bad. People fl ew got permission from the depleted of mites, and then we had some that up from Mexico to say it was very bad Washington beekeeper to choose didn’t have any. What we were doing indeed. The queen breeders wanted a from his remaining hives and brought helped, but the bees themselves 17-county zone free of tracheal mites, six back to share with the Possum adapted to it. The Tech Team said, and others spoke passionately for Breeders. “I fi gured if a guy had 1200 ‘You’re the only ones still testing for no restrictions. Each was defending and had 20 left and I could pick the the [tracheal] mites.’ We came up with his livelihood. “There was strength on both sides of the argument,” said Mussen. “It’s like Covid,” said Heitkam, “Same question.” Close for safety or open for economics. “The vote was not even close,” said Mussen. “It was ‘We don’t want the mite.’” In the San Joaquin Valley, a search-and-destroy program eradicated a lot of bees, some from North Dakota, and the State threatened to close the border to tracheal mites. It put many beekeepers out of business, one after another. “It was really, really bad,” he said. The closure of the Canadian border to honey bee imports in 1987 multiplied the problem many times over. This graph illustrates the rapid decline of tracheal mites found in diagnostic sam- Delaplane said, “In 1990 it was ples sent to the USDA-ARS bee lab in Beltsville Maryland. Courtesy of Jay Evans, an absolute maelstrom. The Georgia USDA-ARS

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54 BEE CULTURE September 2020 zeros so many times we just quit.” – Buckfast, the Yugoslavian bees externus, are only a little different. So Mussen said, “Not many (based on my research in early it was a relatively easy thing for our beekeepers had microscopes to 90s), and Russian bees to name a unexposed North American mellifera check, but they went to a county ag few.” Research also suggests that to very quickly evolve resistance to department. There were fewer and resistance to tracheal mites is likely this parasite because it was such fewer calls. I don’t know why. Most brought about through grooming a near parasite to a parasite they susceptible bees died. Did Varroa behaviors of bees. Another possibility were already familiar with. That treatment have a negative effect on is that that disruptive pheromones is diametrically not the case with them?” are involved. Varroa, because that distance is 14 Jay Evans, Research Leader at million years. And not only that, the USDA in the Beltsville lab, said How About Varroa? mellifera never had an experience in of the decline of tracheal mites, “I am Delaplane said, “Fortunately, Asia ever. So it had no tools at all to guessing it is increased miticides, the problem [of tracheal mites] more co-opt when it was exposed to Varroa including the organic acids lately, or less went away on its own. This for the fi rst time in the 20th century. but staring with Apistan in the 90s.” doesn’t mean we didn’t try for some Having lived through both mite Jerry Hayes agreed, observing that years to concoct some controls. All of introductions, the difference between strip miticides used against Varroa this rather was in vain in the end of the two is night and day. It is a primo were ingested by the bees through it all, because in a matter of one or case history for how evolutionary grooming, making them systemic and two years, the problem just simply distance between host and parasite causing damage to tracheal mites as went away. Vanished. To the point can dictate virulence potential.” they fed on hemolymph. that today we simply can never fi nd Bob Danka of the USDA-ARS bee them. What happened? Well, it was Lessons Learned lab in Baton Rouge said, “Tracheal probably a very rapid evolution of When Mussen was preparing for mites came in in 1984 and were resistance by the host honey bee. And the same kind of meeting that was depopulating colonies in Louisiana in that’s something to hang our hats held for the tracheal mite infestation, 85. I think they got to the lab about on. It happened very quickly. Why but this time to stop Varroa, “We 1988. We were hearing nothing about is that? Why has it taken so much decided it was too late in many this from Europe, they’re fi ne. In the longer for the honey bee to develop places. We learned our lesson: We Winter of 88-89 half of our bees died, resistance to Varroa mite than it did couldn’t kill bees and put beekeepers and in the Winter of 89-90, half of to the tracheal mite? It goes back out of business.” our bees died again. But those losses to that evolutionary distance. The Park-Burris said, “I think the quickly ended, and after that, they tracheal mite is a natural parasite wounds have healed. We all work really weren’t the problem. Bees got of European honey bees. And we together really well now.” over tracheal mites in a couple of shipped some European honey bees years in most people’s experience. to North America in the 1600s, A Sleeping Menace? That’s Mother Nature at work I think. within historic time. And even though “Once in a while I hear that We don’t really know but that’s my Acarapis woodi apparently evolved someone fi nds them,” said Mussen best guess.” after the year 1621, there is still of the tracheal mites. A third-hand Lilia De Guzman, Research enough evolutionary distance in the report that there was a spike in cases Entomologist at the USDA Baton bee that it had the same tools in the in Tennessee failed to yield any data. Rouge lab, has worked with the toolkit, so to speak, for dealing with Delaplane reported that there question of resistance to tracheal that kind of a parasite. The other has been no resurgence in Georgia mites, and she has three theories two, Acarapis dorsalis and Acarapis for decades. His literature search for about their decline: all related post-2016 publications “1.Varroa mites are brood in North America found no papers. parasites primarily, and tracheal Although he found a flare-up in mites are parasites of adult bees. Japan, a recent survey in Argentina If brood is dying from Varroa found zero incidents. “Now there are parasitism because of the viruses molecular detection methods as well Varroa mites infl ict, then tracheal as direct microscopic examination. mite transmission, invasion and I suppose we should never become reproduction is likely disrupted. complacent, but right now I don’t “2.It is also possible that think tracheal mites are a problem,” treatments for Varroa are also he said. effective against tracheal mites. Park-Burris said, “Marla [Spivak] However, if you think about it, the and Katie Lee came with the fi rst Tech external Acarapis are more exposed Team” to test her hives. “Uncle Homer to acaricides than the tracheal mites. may have been doing the same thing But external Acarapis mites are still when he said, ‘Just look for a clean common. hive.’” BC “3.Resistant genes are probably widely distributed. There are several M.E.A. McNeil is a journalist, Master honey bee stocks that are known Beekeeper and organic farmer. She can be to be resistant to tracheal mites reached at [email protected].

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 55 PROVENTRICULUSPROVENTRICULUS nBtmaFitrina Graham

The entire honey bee castes have a fi ltering valve, rushing in to the expanding lumen (cavity) of the called a proventriculus (meaning before the belly) situated proventriculus; they are capable of fi ltering particles as in their honey stomach, also known as the crop which acts small as 1 micron. The contraction of the circular muscles as a storage organ for nectar and water and is capable will cause the expulsion of the fl uid contents of the of great distension. The fi ltering is done by the mouth proventriculus back into the crop, the thicker sphincter piece that sticks up into the crop; which prevents the layer preventing entry into the ventriculus (true stomach). contents of the crop from running into the true stomach, Pollen grains will be sieved off by the comb and forced the ventriculus. See Dade’s Plate 9. into the pouches as the folds collapse upon each other. Both crop and proventriculus have an outer layer of Repeated intake and expulsion of contents in this manner transverse musculature and an inner layer of longitudinal will gradually cause a mass of pollen grains to accumulate musculature. The longitudinal musculature of the in each pouch. Finally, a large mass of pollen grains is proventriculus is powerful and by contraction causes collected, and then the contraction of the circular muscles the lumen (cavity) of the organ to enlarge. The ‘lips’ are forces this large bulk against the hairs of the combs. extensions of the folds beyond the encircling band of A bolus (meaning a ball) of pollen then passes through transverse musculature. The combs of fi liform (thread the neck into the ventriculus leaving but a few grains like) hair on the edge of the folds appear to be capable of pollen behind in the collapsed pouches. Whitcomb & of being folded in upon the surface of the fold or to be Wilson in 1929 show that the shells of the pollen grains are opened away from the surface. not broken at any stage, yet their contents are completely These hairs give unrestricted entry to pollen grains digested in the ventriculus. The boluses pass quite quickly towards the posterior end of the ventriculus within 5-20 minutes, depending on the concentration and amount of pollen suspension which is fed. The proventriculus fi lters off the pollen as compact masses and leaves the nectar or honey behind. (An Australian study in 2004 found

that between 0.15% and 0.433% of pollen has been left

in honey, showing how effective a fi ltering mechanism it 

Dade. Plate 9: Dissection of worker. Alimentary canal dis- played. Both crop and proventriculus have an outer layer of transverse musculature and an inner layer of longitudinal mus- culature. The longitudinal musculature of the proventriculus is powerful and by contraction causes the lumen (cavity) of the or- gan to enlarge. The ‘lips’ are extensions of the folds beyond the encircling band of transverse musculature. The combs of fi liform (thread like) hair on the edge of the folds appear to be capable of being folded in upon the surface of the fold or to be opened away The proventriculus lips shown inside the crop. (The crop has from the surface. been removed) x40. 56 BEE CULTURE September 2020 



 

Inside view of lip. x400. Showing long fi liform hairs about 70 microns long and bristles.

Mouth x 100. Showing lips, pouch and lumen. is.) This alone probably facilitates the digestion of pollen, since the proteolytic enzymes (these are also called protease, proteinase, or peptidase, and are any of a group of enzymes that break the long chainlike molecules of proteins into shorter fragments peptides and eventually into their components, amino acids) are not diluted by an excess of fl uid. The proventriculus therefore serves the purpose of dividing the two principal items of food for separate treatment. The volume of fl uid within the honey stomach, the size of particles in suspension and their concentration has signifi cant effects on the rate and effi ciency of fi ltration by the proventriculus. Within the ventriculus the swallowed pollen is kept within a membrane, the peritrophic membrane. These thin membranes are secreted by the cells lining the ventriculus (epithelial cells). Nearly all insects have membranes like these, and a considerable amount of study has gone into establishing the role that they play in digestion. In the honey bee these membranes are produced by some of the epithelial cells and successive sheets of membrane peel away from the wall and coat each bolus of pollen as it arrives. The membranes were previously thought to provide protection for the lining of the ventriculus from sharp points on the pollen. However, it is more likely that they are important in concentrating a range of digestive Source: Dade The Action Of The Proventriculus Of The Worker chemicals (enzymes) where they are most needed. BC Honeybee, Apis Mellifera L. By L. Bailey Bee Research Department, Rothamsted Experimental Station (Received 13 All photographs by G Kingham Dade drawings by kind October 1951) permission of IBRA

PROVENTRICULUSPROVENTRICULUS September 2020 BEE CULTURE 57 58 BEE CULTURE September 2020 The University of Minnesota Bee questions as well as recipes and Squad has their fi nger on the pulse of educational materials for kids. the general pollinator zeitgeist. How? We read emails. Everyone sends us Question: More honey for me? emails. Beekeepers, bee advocates, On the other hand, many bee haters: we read and respond to beekeepers ask whether you can Bmai all of them. Communicating science- eat honey from a deadout. This is Inbox Answers based pollinator information is our an emphatic NO. While technically job, and we take it seriously. Bee honey can last forever and can Becky Squadders are paid to stay up-to- be eaten straight from an ancient date on research and to study wild Egyptian tomb, eating honey from Bridget pollinators so we can address a a deadout is not a good idea. Brood breadth of bee-related concerns. nest honey is stored in wax cells that have in their yard, many people are (We draw the line at answering non- have previously been brood cells. willing to leave the nest alone until pollinator related concerns, like Sometimes there is bee poop on those they naturally die off in the Fall. whether you can safely eat worm frames, or mold, or pesticides from Occasionally, people do fi nd honey infested mushrooms.) mite treatments and contaminated bees (see Farmer Keith’s photo) As a beekeeper, you automatically pollen (Mullin et al., 2010). Mice and that have taken up residence in an become an ambassador for other vermin often visit deadouts unusual place. A local beekeeper can pollinators, and friends look to and could contaminate the honey. often be convinced to remove them. you to answer their stinging-insect We do feed deadout honey to bees, questions. We thought we’d share a as long the frames are free of brood Question: How can I help bees? few common questions, to help you and spores from American Foulbrood. Some people want to help bees talk to your neighbors, communities, Deadout honey should be stored by becoming beekeepers, and others and other beekeepers. where it can freeze, or at least stay want to know what to plant for bees. sealed from mice. Honey for human We underline that planting fl owers is Question: Where did my bees go? consumption should be extracted the best way to help bees, and that One of the most common emails from frames where no brood has becoming a beekeeper is a lot of work! we get goes something like this: been reared. For those who want to make the leap, “My bees disappeared in the Fall we direct them to beekeeping clubs (or Winter) and I can’t figure out Frantic Question: Oh No! I’ve got and mentorship that will give them why. They had plenty of honey and bees! a proper start. New beekeepers (and the colony was my best Summer Our most popular question is their bees) benefi t immensely from performer.” The answer is most about bee removal. People email following an experienced, successful often that they died of mite-vectored us when they find bees or wasps beekeeper. viruses. The myth persists amongst on their properties, asking us to As far as fl owers go, we focus on backyard beekeepers that you can relocate them. Usually, people have planting for diverse bees, not just visually see if your colony is overrun found bumble bee or wasp nests. honey bees. In particular, we point with mites. In reality, seeing one This is our chance to talk about the people to plants that provide wild mite on a bee – or seeing any signs benefi ts of wasps (pest control) and bee habitat as well as early and late of deformed wing virus or parasitic the importance of native bees. After season food for all bees. We share mite syndrome –means your colony is we share information about the this habitat assessment guide, which already above a treatment threshold species’ life cycle, and the relatively the lab developed in collaboration and severely damaged, if not dead low threat of whatever pollinator they with Xerces. https://xerces.org/ (Lee 2018). Check out this site for an abundance of education regarding death by Varroa: https://pollinators.msu. edu/keep-bees-alive/. Use the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s Varroa Management Decision Tool for help with management: https:// honeybeehealthcoalition.org/ varroatool/ and please report your data to www.mitecheck.com. Varroa can be hard Question: My honey is funny. to count when Summer bee Some people get concerned when popuations are high honey changes texture, and worry it and there is a lot of has gone bad. Here in Minnesota, sealed brood in the honeys crystalize pretty fast (some of colony. Photo by Judy Griesedieck. us prefer crystalized honey anyway). We share the National Honey Board’s website (www.honey.com) for honey

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 59 

60 BEE CULTURE September 2020 publications/habitat-assessment- We receive many guides/habitat-assessment-guide- emails regarding unwanted honey for-pollinators-in-yards-gardens. bees. Photographic This is a great tool for optimizing evidence rarely pollinator friendliness in different points to honey landscapes. bees (usually Planting guides and bee they are wasps or bumble bees), but management support will differ sometimes we are depending on your geographic surprised. Photo region. Please reach out to by Farmer Keith your regional beekeeping clubs, Johnson universities and horticultural experts for pollinator resources!

References Lee, Kathleen. 2018 Improving the health and survivorship of commercial honey bee colonies. Retrieved from the University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy, http://hdl.handle. net/11299/202175. C.A. Mullin, M. Frazier, J.L. Frazier, S. Ashcraft, R. Simonds, D. vanEngelsdorp, J.S. Pettis. 2010 High levels of miticides and agrochemicals in North American apiaries: Implications for honey bee health PLoS One, 5 p. e9754 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0009754

Acknowledgement The authors would like to thank Dr. Marla Spivak for helpful edits and suggestions.

Authors Becky Masterman led the UMN Bee Squad from 2013-2019 and currently alternates between acting as an advisor and worker bee for the program. Bridget Mendel joined the Bee Squad in 2013 and has led the program since 2020.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 61 Honey Bees And Canola Angela

Did you know that honey bees and canola are in love with each other? They are the perfect partners, nourishing their respective growth. “Bees are essential for hybrid canola seed production,” says Pat Murphy, president of the U.S. Canola Association and canola grower in Minot, ND. “They increase seed germination, reduce green seed counts and raise oil content.” In hybrid seed production, honey bees deliver pollen from male parent lines to female parent plants, increasing germination of resulting seeds from 83 to 96 percent, according to the Canola Council of Canada. Bee pollination in all types of canola encourages higher yields with better ripening. It results in more uniform fl owering and earlier pod-setting; increased pods per plant, seeds per pod and seed weight (from 13 to nearly 50 percent); and reduced canola bloom time (by 17 percent). In turn, canola provides the perfect home and makes wonderful meals for honey bees. “Canola fl owers produce high amounts of nectar and pollen, offering a good sugar profi le for honey production create an agreement with beekeepers to guide interactions and a nutritional balance of proteins and fats,” notes throughout the growing season based on what, where and USCA Past-President Rob Rynning, canola grower in when they apply insecticides. Kennedy, Minn. “Since canola fi elds bloom for relatively 2) Reduce exposure to pesticides. Growers should long periods, they provide bees with a good source of only use insecticides when necessary as part of an nectar for up to a month.” Integrated Pest Management program and choose Bountiful canola fl owers also allow bees to feed products with low toxicity to bees and short residual effi ciently within reasonable distances. So this is no long- toxicity time. It is important to follow label instructions, distance romance. use technologies and techniques to minimize drift, not mix insecticides with other pesticides, and avoid generating Sweet on Stewardship dust with treated seeds. If possible, farmers should Because of the love affair between their “children,” avoid spraying when bees are present, during bloom, on beekeepers and canola farmers have a vested interest in other fl owering plants or when weather could increase working together. That’s why the U.S. Canola Association risk of exposure. They should also practice good clean- (USCA) – in partnership with the Honey Bee Health up and disposal of treated seeds, insecticides and their Coalition – issued “Best Management Practices (BMPs) for containers. Pollinator Health in Canola Fields” with related materials 3) Provide safe forage. Growing no-till canola is an for growers and beekeepers. The 1-2-3s of protecting ideal habitat and food source for bees. If planting cover bees include: crops, farmers are advised to add fl owering plants into the 1) Communicate and coordinate with beekeepers. mix. In non-crop areas, growing fl owers, trees and shrubs Before planting, growers should fi nd out if hives will be is also good for bees. Farmers should control fl owering placed in or near their fi elds. If so, they are advised to weeds prior to planting, avoid mechanical tillage where

62 BEE CULTURE September 2020 possible, and not spray non-crop areas with insecticides. These BMPs complement stringent regulations to ensure crop protection products, such as neonicotinoid insecticides, do not pose unacceptable risks to wildlife when used according to label instructions. Seeds treated with neonicotinoids prior to planting reduce the amount of pesticide spraying required for healthy crops. In addition, the crop protection industry is doing everything it can to reduce potential risk to pollinators from dust created during planting of treated seeds, such as improving seed applications and planting technology.

Interest Groups “Colonize” to Protect Bees To boost efforts to improve and protect pollinator health, several stakeholder groups have banded together ensure “busy bees” can maintain their vital service to in the Honey Bee Health Coalition since 2014. The U.S. agriculture. For canola and honey bees, this means a Canola Association is among 30+ member organizations lifetime partnership. BC across the food, agriculture, government and conservation sectors in this public-private coalition. Its mission is Angela Dansby is director of communications for the U.S. to achieve a healthy population of honey bees while Canola Association, which is based in Washington, D.C. supporting native and managed pollinators in productive agricultural systems and thriving ecosystems. The coalition is focused on four areas: 1) forage and nutrition; 2) hive management; 3) crop pest management; and 4) outreach, education, and collaboration. They combine to achieve a vision of “healthy bees, healthy people, healthy planet.” While all types of bees, butterfl ies, beetles and other insects are natural pollinators that play a role in agriculture, honey bees are by far the most important. Keeping them healthy is essential for crop production and ultimately, feeding the world. One-third of the crops consumed today depend to some extent on insect pollination for reproduction. In fact, the total economic value of pollination worldwide is estimated to be more than $200 billion and accounts for around 10 percent of agricultural production. That’s why Honey Bee Health Coalition members are doing everything they can to

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Earlier in 2020, I wrote about where they will best fi nd and con- cians [whoops that’s Five] . . . maybe why we attend bee meetings. nect with customers. Beekeeping a 6th . . . Pandemic? Beekeeper meetings are supply houses do not relish pack- What is the Future of Beekeep- changed. ing a semi-load of supplies to set up er Meetings? Literally, without all of Mostly, cancelled. and tear down – but how better to the above, the future of beekeeper The Minnesota Summer Meet- sell than the personal greeting, the meetings is at risk. Project Apis m., ing, a well-attended meeting, some- hand of a given product [there is a and Bee Informed Partnership are times a multi-state meeting – was difference in hive tools], testimonials two beekeep-ing industry non-prof- scratched. Lots of other meetings given by loyal customers to friends its caught in the Covid parallel uni- are or will be cancelled. wavering on a major decision. Ex- verse. PAm & BIP meet via Zoom tracting equipment manufactur- on choppy wonky platforms. These What is the future of beekeeper ers, Trucks and Forks and Trailers platforms eliminate travel; allow us meetings? bring their devices large and small, to meet, greet, and watch people Big meetings, like the California haul, set up, demonstrate, educate, napping. Zooming is not authentic. State Beekeepers Assn. meeting is and hope to sell enough equipment Zooming lacks the verve, the life; the a bee meeting where real business to justify the expenses and fi ll the experience of seeing friends we miss. takes place. Respected tribal elders 2021 order book. [I’m waiting for the Vendors look forward to attend, sharing valuable insights. booth dedicated to “Build An Indoor strengthening relationships at bee The give and take of meetings. Beekeepers supply and demand scan for bee-themed for honey and pollina- gifts. Non-profi ts repre- tion services occurs sent the opportunity to in real time in presen- get involved in our own tations, in the halls success with forage rec- and in restaurants. ommendations, and Leadership teams fundraise to address behind the meetings much needed solutions. carefully prepare It’s Varroa, Varroa, Var- agendas and presen- roa! – and Forage! And tations – some-times everything else. For years in advance – to everyone in an exhibit get the best speakers hall, it’s a big invest- and best researchers. ment. For every leader- Beekeeper or- ship team, it’s months ganization mem- and months of prepa- bers, vendors and ration. For every hotel, non-members scan airline, and rental out- web sites – deciding fi t, it’s revenue. For ev- to attend or not at- ery speaker – it’s about tend – based on meet- an hour of preparation ing content, speakers, exhibitions, Wintering Facility with Us!”] for every minute of presentation. and location. Does anyone not like Arts, Crafts, Ingredients, Hon- The National groups and a few going to a CSBA meeting at Tahoe? ey Packers, Employment Agents, state and fewer yet local Bee Clubs The Hospitality Industry sees in Non-Profi ts, Publishers, Insurance do their best to keep members and Beekeeper Meetings an opportunity Services, Trucks, Forks, Wooden- visitors abreast with improved web- during ‘slack’ seasons to fi ll rooms ware, Dreamers, Schemers and sites and content. These are not bee- and occupy exhibition space, food Hustlers occupy exhibition space. keeper meetings. Websites are not service, rentals, AV expertise all are Beekeepers value the opportunity to intended to replace the in-person, in the mix of good meeting prepa- see innovation and problem solving hands on, participation of a bee- rations. Now: Hospitality, Airlines, in an industry almost impervious to keeper meeting. Rideshares, Car rentals; are all up- change. Beekeeping is convulsed by What is the future of beekeeper ended. Hertz is in bankruptcy. change; the Four Ps: Parasites, Pas- meetings? BC Vendors make calculations on ture, Pesticides, Pollination, Politi-

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 65 Synthetic Wax BrmnmisBsa

A recently adopted innovation in unable to make due to the ubiquitous possible downsides of synthetic comb beekeeping is the use of completely contamination of our environment aside from the fact that the bees, the drawn out honey comb made of by the “economic poisons” known beings that the Bettercomb product synthetic wax. Modern beekeepers as pesticides. As one would expect, is made for, don’t like it? have long used Perma Comb, a Bettercomb is approved for food One problem with the new combs fully drawn out plastic comb, in contact by the U.S. Food and Drug is that they are fragile and are not hives but this is the fi rst time wax Administration so honey meant recommended for use in hot climates combs other than beeswax have for human consumption can be or for extracting honey unless extra been commercially available for use harvested from synthetic wax combs time and expense is spent on wiring in hives. without concern about contamination the comb into the frame. Marketed under the dubious issues. Another issue is that extensive name of BetterComb, it is produced While the comb made from use of synthetic comb will greatly by Hexacells in Hungary for the synthetic wax is very similar to its 100 reduce the amount of wax that the beekeeping supply company percent beeswax counterpart, it is not bees need to produce themselves. Betterbee, of Greenwich, NY. The beeswax. Researchers have yet to be From a strictly human perspective product is made from food grade able to identify all the constituents this can be considered a benefi t. When or pharmaceutical grade nontoxic that make up real beeswax, making combs made from synthetic wax are materials many of which are the it impossible to accurately duplicate used less honey is consumed by the same fatty acid monoesters, dieesters this amazing substance that honey bees in producing their wax combs and trimesters, Hydrocarbons, Fatty bees produce in a laboratory. Only so there will be more honey for the acids, etc, found in beeswax. Unlike bees are able to produce beeswax. beekeeper to harvest. Estimates are beeswax however, Bettercomb does This difference is highlighted by that bees must consume somewhere not have the sweet smell of beeswax. the company recommendation that between six to eight pounds of honey In fact, it does not seem to have much when mixing Bettercomb frames to produce one pound of beeswax. of a smell at all. with normal beeswax frames of Considering the number of combs in Benefi ts of the ready made combs comb, alternating the frames is the standard hive this can amount to of synthetic wax include being able not recommended. It appears that over 50 pounds of honey: a signifi cant to introduce drawn comb into a hive when given a choice the bees will investment by both the bees and the immediately for faster package and choose pure beeswax comb over the beekeeper. However focusing solely nuc build up. It is also reported that synthetic version every time. The bees on the amount of honey sacrifi ced wax moths are not attracted to the will only use combs made of synthetic to produce comb, ignores the fact synthetic combs until the combs wax if they are provided no choice in that honey bees have a physiological are used by the bees. Company the matter. This makes one wonder: need to produce beeswax. When offi cials also claim that the synthetic what do the bees know that we don’t? researchers placed a package of combs are pesticide free, a claim Of course developers and commercially purchased bees in a that beeswax foundation makers are marketers of new innovations hive and prevented the bees from are known to promote and even foraging and fed the bees a steady exaggerate the benefits of their diet of sugar syrup, the resulting inventions while downplaying their beeswax combs were found to contain shortcomings. For example, Betterbee the typical miticide residues found is quick to point out that candles in commercial beeswax. Since the made from a mixture of pure beeswax bees were not allowed to forage and synthetic wax appear to burn the freely and no pesticides were used same as regular beeswax candles. I in the hive, how did the chemicals say appear to burn the same, since it get there? Since fluvalinate and is well established that pure beeswax coumophos are not used in the candles burn significantly longer production of sugar cane or sugar than candles made from paraffin beets, the only explanation is that wax. So far as I can tell, no-one has the bees themselves had picked up tested the burn time of pure beeswax the pesticides from the hives they candles compared to candles made were originally raised in before from a mixture of beeswax and being packaged and sold. Just as Ross synthetic wax. So what are the other perspiration is a way for people to

66 BEE CULTURE September 2020 remove toxins from their system, it Rather than allow bees to appears that through the process of build comb during a nectar fl ow, or by creating an arti- sweating out wax to build comb, bees fi cial nectar fl ow by feeding are able to detoxify their systems. syrup, beekeepers can now The well meaning beekeeper that is order fully drawn out comb trying to reduce the pesticide load developed in a laboratory in their hives by using “pure” combs using synthetic wax. What could possibly go wrong with of synthetic wax, may actually be this plan?" making it more diffi cult for the bees in their hives to lessen the pesticide contamination within their bodies. While we know from numerous studies that pesticide residues in beeswax is not conducive to a healthy hive, I am not aware of any research that has looked into whether the presence of pesticide residues in the hive is less harmful when it is in the beeswax foundation that has not been accurate, though inevitably there beeswax or when it is in the bodies contaminated with synthetic wax and will be beekeepers with lower moral of the bees themselves. I would bet thus will end up having to make standards that won’t bother correcting that it is worse for the bees to have their own foundation (a daunting their product labels and instead rely the toxins in their bodies than in task – see the April 2019 issue of on consumers who are not informed their wax. Bee Culture), simply using strips of and aware that the “pure” beeswax An even bigger issue with these wood to encourage the building of in the products they buy is no longer new wax combs is that wax from comb within frames, or using plastic actually pure beeswax. We do not synthetic combs are inevitably going foundation or permacomb. The latter yet know how the introduction of to be mixed with the wax from normal will result in more plastic being synthetic wax into the commercial beeswax combs. This will eventually used and eventually disposed of by beeswax stream will impact folks lead to the contamination of all beekeepers wishing to avoid having who make salves, balms and other commercial beeswax with synthetic synthetic wax mingled in with their cosmetics containing beeswax and if wax. Sure some beekeepers may beeswax. This trend toward more it will change the characteristics of initially try to segregate the synthetic plastic will be terribly unfortunate the fi nal product. Nor can we predict wax combs from the beeswax given that as a society we need to be how much of the beeswax market combs, which means marking and moving away from products produced will be lost to other competing waxes, keeping track of all frames and by fossil fuels (most plastics are made such as Carnauba Wax, that have not rendering them separately, but not all from petroleum) and eliminating the been contaminated with a synthetic beekeepers are going to do this and production and release of the highly copycat and what this will do to the inevitably the waxes will get mixed toxic chemicals that are part and price of beeswax. together especially in operations that parcel of plastic manufacturing. Since synthetic wax is made up purchase large amounts of beeswax In the end the only way that of many of the same components from numerous sources. It was bad I as a beekeeper can protect the found in beeswax, it will be extremely enough when we learned that all integrity of the beeswax produced hard if not impossible to test beeswax commercial beeswax has become by my operation is to isolate my samples to determine if they contain contaminated with pesticide residues, apiaries by not bringing in combs synthetic wax. Hexacells could have mostly from the use by beekeepers from other operations (such as in chosen to add a non-toxic benign trying to control varroa mites. As nucleus colonies) and stop using ingredient that is easy to detect to more and more beekeepers start wax foundation. I will also have to its synthetic wax so that testing and to use the new synthetic comb the render all my wax myself, or try preserving the integrity of 100 percent commercial beeswax available on the to find someone to do so for me beeswax could be a possibility and market will become more and more and guarantee that the are able purity proven, but so far they have contaminated with synthetic wax to segregate my wax from others. chosen not to do so. We beekeepers from the old combs that get rendered. Otherwise I will no longer be able to already have a huge problem dealing Perhaps Hexacells and Betterbee, claim that my beeswax or beeswax with the purity of honey and now since the beekeeping industry has products contains only 100 percent we can add to our woes the purity grown accustomed to the idea of all beeswax. The contamination of of beeswax. In the end only a few beeswax being contaminated with beeswax with synthetic wax will be industries will profi t from the sale pesticides, will not worry about especially important for operations of synthetic wax combs while bees, adding synthetic wax to the mix. that produce value added products beekeepers, those who produce value While this may be true for some, there from their beeswax. Undoubtedly added products from beeswax, and will be beekeepers who will want to there will be labeling issues since their unsuspecting customers will all prevent the contamination of the wax those who have used beeswax in pay the price. BC used within and produced by their their products in the past will now operation. These beekeepers will will have to spend time and money Ross Conrad is the author of Natural Beekeeping have a hard time fi nding commercial changing their labels so they are and The Land of Milk and Honey.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 67 relationship between the phenomena of poisoning with fungicides. On the other hand, the study carried out in the Walloon Region «Experimental approach to unexplained mortality of bee colonies in Wallonia «3 shows that more fungicides are found in colonies showing signs of decline than in colonies without signs. This may be related to a direct effect of fungicides. They are found because of their slower degradation dynamics in the environment. Bee decline was also linked to the presence of a culture environment. This study also highlighted the link between B the cultivation areas near apiaries and the probability of decline. Work by the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breading, Etienne B Genetic and Physiology lab in Baton Rouge4 showed that the presence of fungicides in bee bread was linked to dieback at different times of the year. For years, fungicides were not considered toxic to Furthermore, it was found that a hot, dry period in bees. Today, however, questions are being asked and 2018 was followed by a winter with low mortality. It is some scientifi c articles are calling this into question. One known that during these summer periods the bees collect can wonder whether fungicides do not have an active role the pollen needed for overwintering and that the amount in the phenomena of Winter decline of bees observed in of fungicide used is lower than in colder, wetter years. some years in our regions. Here is a quick overview of Luxembourgers have also shown that relatively cold (17.2 what can be found today in the scientifi c literature. ± 1.4°C average monthly temperature) and humid (110.8 ± Fungicides and bactericides occupy an important 55.5 mm/month) conditions in July have been associated place in the world of pesticides. According to Eurostat, with greater losses in Luxembourg5. in 2016, they accounted for 46% of the sales volumes of pesticide products in 20 member countries. France was Toxic fungicides in third place (31,910 mt.) behind Spain (38,905 mt.) In light of this, is there any research that shows a and Italy (37,047 mt.). Belgium came in 8th position direct link between fungicides and toxic effects on bees? (2848 mt.). Here are some publications that show toxic effects directly According to the FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action related to certain fungicides. Committee) fungicides cover chemical molecules that can have a wide range of modes of action and can act on: nucleic acid metabolism, cytoskeleton and protein constitution, respiration, amino acid and protein synthesis, signal transduction, lipid synthesis or transport, membrane integrity or function, membrane sterol biosynthesis, cell wall biosynthesis and melanin synthesis in cell walls. They can also act at different sites. Some fungicides have unknown modes of action and others act at multiple sites. There are thus 76 (47 + 29) FRAC1 codes, each code corresponding to a type of activity with a specifi c or multiple target. Knowing this, it can be deduced that apart from the fact that they destroy fungi, their harmlessness to pollinators may vary greatly depending on their active ingredient, mode and site(s) of action.

Fungicide residues Given their widespread presence in the environment, it is quite logical to fi nd them in the products of the hive. A review of studies that have analyzed the presence of pesticides in various bee matrices confi rms this fairly widespread contamination. One can take the example of the results of the Italian BeeNet2 study which covered the whole country. If they highlighted the presence of funcigides on bees in certain years, it is at the level of bee bread that the frequency and concentrations were the highest. In the Beesyn project, which sampled about a hundred apiaries in Belgium, pesticides are the molecules most frequently found in the bee matrices sampled (bee bread, honey and wax). Knowing this, it is questionable what impact they can have on the colonies. To date, we have not found any publications relating to fi eld trials showing a direct

68 BEE CULTURE September 2020 The fi rst6 clearly shows an effect of Boscalid on the life In summary, it can be said that some fungicides may span of bees. If, during the fi rst 10 days of intoxication, have an effect: no effect can be observed, after a fortnight, the life span - on the bees’ diet, of bees subjected to Boscalid at doses ranging from 1250 - on the life span of the bees, to 4500 ppb is rapidly reduced compared to control bees. - on the development of bumblebee populations, It should be noted that Boscalid belongs to the new family - on the immune system due to synergy with of SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors). These pathogens and/or other pesticides. fungicides target the cellular respiration of all living It can therefore be assumed that some fungicides organisms. The targeted enzyme, once blocked, leads may be involved in bee decline phenomena. to the accumulation of a small molecule, the succinate, Unfortunately, current laboratory tests do not show which has a direct impact on the epigenome. A defective such effects and it is therefore essential to be able to SDH enzyme, even partially, leads to profound metabolic demonstrate the potential delayed toxic effects of some changes and epigenetic modifi cations (hypermethylation fungicides. It is therefore necessary to review the current of histones and DNA), which are at the origin of diseases. duration of the tests in order to be able to analyse the Toxicity is not immediate. effects of fungicides on the total life span of the bees. Tests These contaminants are not genotoxic (do not induce related to the feeding and digestibility of pollen subjected mutations) and do not kill cells. Thus, according to these to fungicides are indispensable. criteria, assessment agencies do not consider them toxic This will require an improvement of the guidelines to humans and the environment. Some, however, are which are not yet approved in their current form. BC alerting public opinion to the need for a real assessment to be realized. The origin of this paper was a conference Etienne gave at A study7 on the diet consumed by larvae contaminated the FNOSAD congress in Mâcon (France) last October. It has been with prochloraz (an imidazole-based fungicide that can published fi rst in the Belgium beekeepers journal «Abeilles & Cie». alter the immune genes of bees at different stages of And it was in this late and somewhat modifi ed version in the development) may present a danger for the development journal «La Santé de l’Abeille». Reprinted here with permission. of immunity and the detoxifi cation mechanisms of bees. A third study8 investigated the sublethal effects of Bibliography chlorothalonil exposure on bee immunity, nutrition and 1. Anonymous – 2018 - FRAC Code List 2018 development. It thus demonstrated effects on: 2. Lodesani M. et al – 2016 - Beenet: national-wide monitoring 1) resistance and/or tolerance to viral infection of project in Italy – conférence Beecome 2016 bees by decreasing the survival of bees following a viral 3. Simon-Delso N. et al – 2014 - Honeybee colony disorder in challenge (contact with viruses) ; crop areas: the role of pesticides and viruses DOI: 10.1371/ 2) social immunity, by increasing the level of glucose journal.pone.0103073 oxidase activity; 4. Rinkevich F. – 2019 - Heterogeneous Pesticide Exposure 3) nutrition, by reducing total carbohydrate and and Variation in Mechanism and Rate of Honey Bee Colony protein levels; Losses. Poster USDA-ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and 4) development, by reducing the total weight, head Physiology Lab width, wing and body length of adult nurse bees and 5. Beyer et al – 2018 – Winter honey bee colony losses, Varroa foragers. destructor control strategies, and the role of weather conditions Synergistic effects with other pesticides may also : results from a survey among beekeepers. - Res Vet Sci. 2018 be observed. For example, combined toxicity was noted Jun ; 118: 52-60 between the fungicide propiconazole and the insecticide 6. Simon-Delso N. – 2018 - Time-to-death approach to reveal chlorantraniliprole at rates used in almond orchards in chronic and cumulative toxicity of a fungicide for honeybees California9. not revealed with the standard ten-day test - Scientifi c Reports Effects were also demonstrated on bumble bee volume 8, Article number: 7241 (2018) colonies10. Within one month, fungicide residues caused 7. Glavinic U. et al – 2018 - Response of adult honey bees treated a decline in bumble bee colonies in experimental cages. in larval stage with prochloraz to infection with Nosema ceranae Through the use of powerful molecular tools, the - PeerJ, DOI 10.7717/peerj.6325 ecological complexity of the pollen microbiome can be 8. O’Neal S. et al – 2019 - Chlorothalonil Exposure Alters better resolved. A plethora of naturally occurring bacteria Virus Susceptibility and Markers of Immunity, Nutrition, and and fungi collectively contribute to the maintenance Development in Honey Bees - Journal of Insect Science, (2019) of the colony’s fi tness. In particular, yeasts that have 19(3) : 14 ; 1–8 been isolated from pollen are known to have bactericidal 9. Wade A. – 2019 - Combined Toxicity of Insec ticides and properties and will promote fermentation, both of Fungicides Applied to California Almond Orchards to Honey which are essential for the development of bee larvae. Bee Larvae and Adults - Insects 2019, 10, 20 Such ecological associations suggest a high degree of 10. Steffan S. et al – 2017 - Empirical, Metagenomic, and mutualism between bees and the pollen microbiome. In Computational Techniques Illuminate the Mechanisms by which the absence of these key symbionts, pollen supply appears Fungicides Compro mise Bee Health - Journal of Visualized to be compromised to unknown degrees. Experi ments October 2017 : 128 : P12

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 69 A Closer Look Basic Honey Bee Biology

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Harvesting season in the Central Valley A productive crop must be nourished Stretched across some 500 miles throughout California is blessed with the perfect climate for California’s Central Valley, almond hulls are splitting almond production, but it must import one of its most open, signaling the beginning of harvesting season. important ingredients: pollinators for the almond blooms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting Every February, more than two out of every three that California’s almond growers are set to produce a commercial beehives in the United States are transported bumper crop this year of about 2.5 billion pounds, about to California, their bee residents pressed into service of 70 percent of which will be exported around the world. the almond bloom. It’s an industry that drives about one-quarter of In fact, it’s just the start of an annual food pollinating California’s farm exports and generates about $21.5 bee tour. Anywhere from 60 to 75 percent of the bee billion in economic output for the region including population kept as livestock crisscross the United States growing, processing and manufacturing activities. foraging on the blooms of crops that will eventually make their way into our grocery stores and into overseas markets.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 71 to other spring-blooming orchards such as cherries and plums in California or apples in the Pacific Northwest. Some head to Texas to pollinate squashes, others to citrus fruit orchards in Florida, and others are dispatched to pollinate cranberries in Wisconsin and cherries in Michigan. In all, these busy bee travelers pollinate over 90 different crops and then sweeten the deal by shifting into delicious honey production by the end of summer, which they will nourish themselves on over Winter while we get to consume the rest. Americans consume a staggering 1.6 pounds of honey per person every year. Even though U.S. beekeepers produced 148 million pounds of honey in 2017 and exported 9.9 million pounds, we imported 447.5 million pounds to keep up with demand from consumers and food producers.

Millions of bees are “exported” state to state to pollinate 90 One in every three bites of food different American crops. From cucumbers and citrus fruits to watermelon, kiwis, berries, cherries, apples, melons, peaches, figs, First stop, almond orchards tomatoes, pumpkins and almonds, one-third of the U.S. For most commercial bees, the pollinating season food supply relies on pollination by the hard-working begins with almonds, California’s largest crop. To provide honey bee. a sense of scale, Scientific American estimates it takes And, of course, since the United States is a major some two million hives – more than 31 billion honey bees exporter of agricultural crops, we could say that honey – to pollinate the Central Valley’s 90 million almond trees bees help pollinate our trade opportunities. That’s during their two-week bloom. It’s a symbiotic relationship: true globally for hundreds of billions worth of crop the bees gather nectar and pollen to feed their colonies, production and internationally traded food that depends enabling them to triple their population. on pollinators. Once almonds bloom in January, hives are moved

72 BEE CULTURE September 2020 Healthy bees, healthy trade in food When bees get sick, the health of the U.S. agriculture The Ultimate economy and agricultural exports is imperiled. MODULAR Although honey bees are not the only pollinators Hive System supporting U.S. agriculture, they are the most important, adding more than $15 billion in value to U.S. agricultural crops each year according to the U.S. Pollinator Health Task Force. Colony collapse disorder over the last few years drew Hive Cover widespread attention, but the decline in North American honey bees is a long-term trend. In 1947, there were Universal Feeder about six million colonies but today we are down to about 2.5 million. Super Grip™ Hive Handle Sharp declines were seen following the introduction in 1987 of an external parasitic mite, aptly named Varroa Robbing destructor, that feeds on the fat bodies of honey bees. Loss Screen rates over the winter have been averaging around 31 percent since 2006, far exceeding the 15-17 percent that commercial beekeepers say is economically sustainable. The rise of monoculture agriculture with increased reliance on pesticides and reduced use of cover crops is thought to add stress on bee health. The bees are struggling to maintain a varied and high-quality diet Bottom – they need protein from pollen and carbohydrates Board All Products from the nectar of flowering plants. Without adequate 8-Frame/10-Frame Sold by leading Compatible suppliers of bee- keeping nutrition, they are also more vulnerable to viruses. equipment nationwide. Call your Experts have organized into research consortia, Hive favorite dealer or visit our website to fi nd a list of stocking dealers. working groups and task forces to try to determine Stand what can be done. The factors negatively impacting bee www.beesmartdesigns.com health are multiple, complex, and interacting, requiring a similarly comprehensive approach to combat them, 1-800-600-7446 including restoration of habitats, dissemination of best practices in hive management, and investments in research to better understand how to prevent colony loss. We are all invested in their success, and when you see honey bees buzzing around your garden, think about the humble but essential role their busywork plays in U.S. food production and agricultural exports. BC

This article was originally published in TradeVistas. org, https://tradevistas.org/honey-bees-pollinate-trade- opportunities/#top “

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 73 A P E R T M B Christine University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Forest Entomology Lab. www.forestbees.org

Pesticides are often implicated as contributing to developing larvae. Laboratory-reared Osmia lignaria pollinator decline, however an understanding of toxicity (Blue Orchard Mason Bee) females were exposed to three in combination with exposure risk can help inform different levels of imidacloprid in soil, then individually bee-friendly management practices, mitigate risk and marked and released in large fl ight cages enclosing promote pollinator health. While our understanding of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) shrubs. both pesticide toxicity and exposure risk to honey bees Nesting behavior and progress was observed and tracked has greatly improved over the past two decades, our over a three-week period, and impact of pesticide understanding of toxicity to Osmia is moderate, and exposure on nesting behavior and nesting productivity understanding of exposure risks to Osmia and other were assessed. Fruit set and berry size of blueberries pollinators is much farther behind the curve. One major pollinated by O lignaria vs. those pollinated by honey bees knowledge gap is the question of how soil residues of were also assessed to determine pollination effi ciency of neonicotinoid pesticides might affect bees which collect O. lignaria on blueberry. Because Osmia collect mud, soil for nesting. Many neonicotinoid pesticides can persist we recognized that soil moisture levels may need to be in soils after application, and therefore bee species which considered when assessing exposure risk. Thus, another interact regularly with soils may be at risk of exposure group of O. lignaria bees was reared in small bug dorms to residues. Because honey bees (Apis mellifera) do in the laboratory and exposed to the same residue not interact with soil, the current imidacloprid risk concentrations with two differing soil moisture levels. assessment used by EPA does not consider contact with To determine effects on developing larvae, O. lignaria soil as a potential exposure pathway. The objective of our eggs and early instar larvae were grafted onto pre-made study is to contribute to understanding of both toxicity soil partitions which had been treated with differing and exposure risks to Osmia at all life stages, focusing on concentrations of imidacloprid and observed daily in the soil-based exposure, and to collect data which can inform laboratory during development. An additional experiment future risk assessments and management practices which is being developed to determine female preferences for are protective of not just honey bees, but also our many soil, and whether actively nesting females are capable of species of solitary bees including Osmia. ‘choosing’ uncontaminated soils. We designed a series of experiments to determine Preliminary results indicate that acute exposure to exposure risks to adult nesting females as well as adult females has negative impacts on nesting behavior

Larvae feeding tray. Field cage. 74 BEE CULTURE September 2020 and reproductive output, and that mortality is increased with exposure to soils at moisture levels higher than 30%. There is some indication that females may select uncontaminated soil to use in their nests, however they still interact with the contaminated soil before making their selection, which means the risk to the adult female may still be a concern. Larvae appear to show some resistance to exposure, and mortality and development of larvae appear unaffected, however all results are preliminary at this time. Once fi nal results have been determined, we intend to conduct risk assessments for soil exposure and make recommendations for management of soil drench applications in forestry and orchard systems. &ĂdžϵϭϮͲϯϲϳͲϳϬϰϳ An additional finding of this study was that blueberries pollinated by O. lignaria were on average 1.6mm larger in diameter and 0.45 g heavier than those $//48((16±(DFK pollinated by honey bees, a difference which was clearly visible to the naked eye. Recognizing that O. lignaria  1RPLQLPXPRUGHUUHTXLUHG does not generally prefer blueberry fl owers when other 6KLSSLQJ5DWHV$UH$GGLWLRQDO resources are available, other species of Osmia in the southeast are important for rabbiteye blueberry, and 3LFN8S4XHHQV&HOOV O. lignaria can be considered a surrogate for pollination &OLSSLQJ0DUNLQJ effi cacy of Osmia species in general. It appears that Osmia species are able to produce larger, more marketable BC blueberries than do honey bees. May God Bless You And Your Endeavors This Year Article credited to the Orchard Bee Association Over 100 Years of Experience All Bees Are State Inspected Annually Olivarez Honey Bees/Big Island Queens is seeking motivated beekeepers to join our Hawaii team! Ex- perience preferred. Self-mo- Don’t Let Your Subscrip on tivator and ability to work in a team environment a plus. Positions are full time, salary based on experience. Great Bene- Expire! Check Your Label – It Will fi ts Package. Prior work history and references required. Advancement opportunities avail- able. Submit resume to [email protected] or Tell You How Many Issues You Olivarez Honey Bees Inc/Big Island Queens, P O Box 847 Orland Ca 95963, Fax: 530- 865-5570, Phone 530-865-0298 Have Le !

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76 BEEBEBEE CULTURECCUULLTTUURRE SeptemberSSepepepttetememembbebereer 202020020 Dr. Tom Seeley, professor at Cornell University, has made 14 suggestions to improve colony performance based on what he has found with wild colonies (see Dr. Tom Seeley’s the fi nal chapter in his book, The Lives of Bees). These suggestions are currently being implemented in the Columbia, South Carolina, area but we have found trade- Evolu onary offs need to be made. This article discusses our progress to date and trade-offs made.

Implementing 11 Suggestions for an Environment Adaptedness of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA) 1. Space the colonies as widely as possible; the average David number of colonies in the wild is 2.5 per square mile 2. Use small hives consisting of one deep and one shallow box; colonies will produce less honey but srrss will be healthier 3. Use rough-cut lumber on the inside to encourage an 3. Use rough-cut lumber on the inside to encourage an increase in propolis coating increase in propolis coating 4. Target diverse pollen sources for the location as much Allen Johnson and Robert Abshire (johnsonsbeesupply. as possible [email protected]) in Williston, South Carolina, custom 5. Maintain 10- to 20-percent drone comb made eight-frame brood chamber deeps and medium 6. Obtain and keep bees adapted to your location supers out of dimension rough-cut yellow pine lumber. 7. Keep the nest structure intact; keep the original frame The dimensions of rough-cut lumber are variable, so location in the hive and the original frame orientation; they made sure the inside dimensions were correct do not reverse boxes for a standard eight-frame hive. This resulted in some 8. Use two-inch-wide bottom opening; no top entrances outside variable dimensions. The equipment was glued 9. Allow condensation in hives during the Winter; it is and nailed. We replaced all the hive equipment with this the Winter water source for the bees rough-cut dimension lumber as of February 2020. Rough- 10. Do not disturb the colonies in the Winter – no feeding cut equipment is its own type similar to commercial- syrup or pollen grade equipment. Solid bottom boards are used with the 11. Refrain from treating for Varroa; if the level gets entrance reducer on the smallest spacing, no screened greater than 15 mites per 300 bees, euthanize the bottom boards. In the wild, trees have “infi nite” wood colony of bees with warm soapy water; eliminate on the top and bottom of the colony resulting in more nonresistant colonies and avoid mite bombs insulation on the top and bottom than Langstroth hives. Of signifi cant concern is heat loss through the top, so two 1. Space the colonies as widely as possible; the average 23/32” Advantech tops are being used with solid board number of colonies in the wild is 2.5 per square mile; insulation between the tops. The inside roof needs to be The Congaree River basin is largely swamp. This kept warm in the Winter so the humidity coming up from makes it nearly impossible to do bee lining and determine the brood nest spills over to the cooler side and condenses the colony density in the area. Dr. Tom Seeley indicated, on the sides and not the top. This will keep the moisture “I think wide colony spacing is for bees like clean air is from raining down on the cluster in the Winter. for us: something that is healthful, but not essential, for The inside propolis coating will be assessed after one year survival. In the Congaree River beeyard, two hives were of equipment use. This assessment will determine what placed on an eight-foot landscape timber on top of three percent the inside rough surfaces are entirely covered cement blocks. The eight-foot landscape timber hive with propolis. stands were spaced approximately fi ve to ten feet apart facing different directions. 4. Target diverse pollen sources for the location as much as possible 2. Use small hives consisting of one deep and one shallow; A special beeyard location was obtained along the colonies will produce less honey but will be healthier Congaree River, across the Congaree River from Congaree Wild colonies average five to eight combs. The National Park, outside Columbia, South Carolina. eight-frame equipment was used as a trade-off between This site has a unique warm ecosystem with plentiful 10-frame equipment and fi ve-frame NUCs. Five-frame Tupelo Gum trees (Nyssa aquatica), American Holly (Ilex NUCs take more management to keep from swarming and opaca), Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum), Tulip Poplar help survive the Winter. Also, with eight-frame equipment, (Liriodendron tulipifera), and a large variety of fl owers. the brood nest is mainly in the bottom deep box with the nest expanding up into the medium food chamber 5. Maintain 10- to 20- percent drone comb during intensive spring brood rearing. This results in Deep frames with a one-inch foundation starter strip pollen storage around the brood nest in the upper food at the top of the deep brood frames were used. This will chamber. Eight- frame equipment does not have the extra result in the bees building comb with an average of 17 space that ten-frame equipment has but is not needed. percent drone cells. We do have some frames with all foundation/drawn comb that are being transitioned out of the hive.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 77 Foundation usually only has worker-size cells; in the insulated such that the inside bottom of the cover is early part of the 20th century it was thought the more warm and the moist air condenses on the hive sides or workers available would result in more honey. For the frame bottoms. most part, this has been found not to be true. In recent years the philosophy has changed to the view that healthy 9. Allow condensation during the Winter in hives is the colonies usually produce many drones, but weak colonies Winter water source for the bees usually do not produce many drones. Healthy colonies See #8 above for an explanation of condensation as have more workers. a water source for bees in Winter. We will measure the drone comb amount. 10. Do not disturb the colonies in the Winter – no feeding 6. Obtain and keep bees adapted to your location syrup or pollen This is done by By feeding syrup or utilizing walk-away pollen, a false nectar or splits located in the pollen fl ow is created. area/beeyard location This makes the bees we want the bees to adapt to this false adapt to. The half of the flow, resulting in the walk-away split without bees consuming more the original queen stores, out of sync with will raise themselves nature, and the local another queen that will environment. If the be mated locally. If the colony is light in the queen is not healthy fall, then fall feeding or is a poor layer, then can be done. the bees may supersede her or the beekeeper 11. Refrain from can promote this by treating for Varroa; if actually removing the the level gets greater queen. If the queen is than 15 mites per removed, a concern is 300 bees, euthanize that there are enough the colony with warm workers available to soapy water; eliminate get through the queen nonresistant colonies transition. Raising and and avoid mite bombs mating queens in the The nectar flow area you want your typically starts April 1 colonies adapted to will in the Columbia, South also work. Carolina, area. We split the end of February at 7. Keep the nest structure the earliest. If we split intact; keep the original the end of February, frame location in the it means fi rst workers hive and the original from the queenless frame orientation; do not split emerge mid-April, reverse boxes with the fi rst foragers Most beekeepers typically three weeks today need to keep the later or the fi rst part of original frame location Rough-cut dimension eight-frame equipment. (MacFawn photo) April. The fl ow is over in the hive and original usually the fi rst week frame orientation. It is important not to reverse boxes. in June. The brood nest should not be split in cold weather by At the end of February 2020, I split all the Congaree reversing the boxes. Usually, the queen will go down into colonies (except one) that had at least a full brood the lower region of the hive on her own. chamber and medium food chamber full of bees and brood. There were enough bees to cover all the brood in 8. Use two-inch bottom opening: no top entrance both split halves for the cool weather we were going to This is easy to do by always using the two-inch have for the next week (lows at night in the mid-30sF.). I orientation of the entrance reducer. In the wild, there is therefore did individual walk-away splits and did not do “infi nite” insulation on the top and bottom of the colony. over/under splits as I originally planned. There are now This results in condensation occurring on the frame nine colonies/splits in the Congaree bee yard. I divided bottoms and not at the top of the hive. Water/moisture in the the brood/honey/pollen equally between the splits and Winter is used by the bees rather than having to forage made sure there were eggs/young larvae in both splits for water in the Winter, or water condensing on the hive so I did not worry which split had the queen. top and “raining” down on the colony, chilling the colony By feeding in the midstate area of South Carolina from in hives with poor top insulation. The hive top will be the end of February, when some splits are made, until

78 BEE CULTURE September 2020 the nectar fl ow around the fi rst of April, I am violating will be lost, but splits and queens raised in the local the no- feeding syrup recommendation. By feeding syrup, environment will quickly ensure the bees are adapted I am implementing another false nectar fl ow, but this is to the local environment. Consideration initially may be necessary to keep the bees alive. I suspect if I did not made to feed splits but to allow open mating in the local feed from the end of February to around April 1 the bees environment which will help ensure the queens adapt to would adapt and start swarming around the fi rst of April. colonies surviving locally. The fi rst year I plan to feed 1:1 syrup until the nectar fl ow We need to consider being able to fi nd an isolated starts the end of March/fi rst of April. After the walk-away nurse yard to move issue colonies to. I am not sure that split queens have mated locally the fi rst year, the colonies some colonies can sustain a higher mite load then others, will not be fed the second year. so there is the issue of mites contaminating other colonies We can treat the high-mite colonies with Mite Away if I do not euthanize them. Also, by using Mite Away Quick Quick Strips (MAQS) and requeen rather than euthanize. Strips (MAQS), I am impacting both good and bad gut However, note that treating may interrupt the bee gut bacteria which may be an issue. microbes. The colonies with high varroa mite loads will It seems most beekeepers trying treatment-free be moved to a nursery yard. beekeeping only have their colonies last two to three years. Monitoring Varroa mite levels and treating if We will see how this beeyard in the Congaree Park area necessary is especially important beginning the end of survives; yes, I am doing a calculated gamble. BC May through November in South Carolina. Mite levels should be monitored at least monthly, if not bi-monthly. Dr. Tom Seeley’s Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness Progress has been made in implementing Dr. Tom (EEA) and the Valentine Hive, Bee Culture, David E. MacFawn, Seeley’s Environment of Evolutionary Adaptedness (EEA). November 2019. Some tough decisions need to be made such as feeding Deep Forest Bee Hunting Robin Radcliffe and Tom Seeley. and reversing boxes. Colonies that are not adapted American Bee Journal, Volume 158, No. 8, August 2018.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 79 Summer Time Recipes Shana

Hot Honey Corn Honey Garlic Ribs baking sheet or a large baking dish, 4 cups water 2 racks baby back pork ribs place the ribs, meat side down, onto 1 cup milk 1/3 cup Soy sauce the tin foil and then pour the sauce 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar over top making sure that it coats butter 2/3 cup honey both sides. 1/2 cup honey 6 cloves garlic Fold the tin foil up over top of 1 teaspoon red pepper fl akes 1/2 tsp black pepper the ribs and pinch the sides together 1 teaspoon kosher salt so that the ribs are completely cov- 6 ears corn, shucked and halved ered. Place the tray in the oven and Preheat the oven to 250°F. bake for two hours removing from Fill a large pot with water and Place the ribs meat side down the oven and basting in the sauce bring to a boil over medium-high on a cutting board and use a knife, every 30 minutes. heat. Add milk, butter, honey, red to slide it under the membrane cov- After two hours the ribs should pepper fl akes and salt. Carefully add ering the back of the ribs and pull it be tender. Turn the heat up to 350°F corn and reduce the heat to medi- off. This ensures that the sauce will and fl ip the ribs over so the meat um. Boil the corn for eight minutes. penetrate the meat, adding more fl a- side is facing up, baste in the sauce Use tongs to remove the corn from vor. and then leave them to cook for 15 the butter bath and serve immedi- In a bowl whisk together the soy minutes uncovered so that the meat ately. sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic and browns on top. Brush the ribs with Simple and delicious! pepper. more (if desired) sauce before serv- Place a large piece of tin foil on a ing.

80 BEE CULTURE September 2020 The Northeastern region has a rich array of bee Connie plants that bloom during the Summer. This article highlights some of the major nectar and pollen plants in the area. Among those are natives, cultivated plants, Summer and naturalized species. Although fuchsias are typically thought of as tender plants, at least one species is hardy to zone six and thrives in the Northeast. Magellan fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) Blooming is an erect, vigorous shrub that is evergreen in warm areas and deciduous elsewhere. One variety is reportedly hardy in zone fi ve if given a sheltered spot. Unlike the large-fl owered fuchsias, this one has very Bee Plants slender, petite, bicolored blossoms with pollen and nectar that is easily accessible to bees. With a purple corolla, best known Summer-blooming bee trees. It is a member the fl owers contain red tubes and dark red sepals. The of the rue family. The most widely grown species is the blossoms are present from mid-June into Fall. fast growing, short lived, very fl oriferous Korean evodia One particular teasel called the cut-leaf teasel (Tetradium daniellii). (Dipsacus lacinatus) has naturalized in the Northeast. Easy to grow, this typically reaches 30 feet in height It can be found in damp ditches, prairies, meadows, with a matching spread. When in full bloom, evodia savannahs, and along roadsides. The plant features is a mass of white and is always humming with bees. bristly, hairy leaves and prickly stems. Blossoms appear for three weeks or so in large clusters. Opening from July through September, the blossoms The individual blossoms are quite tiny. The fl owers are usually white, but occasionally can be lilac. These are sources of pollen and nectar, and are a favorite of form heads surrounded by bristly bracts. The teasels are the bees. excellent bee plants. Several species of smoketrees (Cotinus spp.) are in Bees love the fl owers, which bring pollen along with cultivation. The plants can be either shrubs or trees. One lots of nectar. A good crop of honey can result. The thin species is native. bodied honey is water white to transparent with a fair The blossoms begin appearing in early Summer and to excellent fl avor, although the taste can vary slightly. continue for weeks. With fi ve small petals, the rather The various kinds of thyme thrive throughout the inconspicuous fl owers are small – only 1/8th inch wide. Northeast. These very hardy, evergreen herbs are hardy The fl ower color can vary slightly by species, but is to zone four, depending on the species. Usually less than typically yellow or green. a foot in height, they bear richly scented foliage and very The main source of color for the smoketrees is the tiny blooms that are eagerly sought by bees. The fl ower showy hairs on the fl ower stalks. These are usually pink color varies from white or pink to mauve. or red, but occasionally are purple. They account for the Thyme blossoms can provide a delicious, premium smoky effect for which the plant is named. Easy to grow, quality honey with an appealing thyme-like aroma. With the undemanding plants are good sources of nectar. a good body, this features a distinctive, mint-like fl avor. The various kinds of smartweeds and knotweeds The color ranges from golden to amber. are major bee plants. Japanese knotweed (Polygonum The plants can bring forty to over a hundred pounds cuspidatum) is an invasive perennial that has now of honey per colony. This honey is reluctant to granulate. naturalized in many states, including much of the Thyme is also a major honey plant in the western half Northeast. Often shrubby, this species spreads by of the country. rhizomes and offshoots. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) is an This exotic can reach 10 feet in height. Very invasive species in the Northeast. It also occurs in many fl oriferous, Japanese knotweed is covered with small other areas in the East and West. The very common weed can be found along roadsides and in disturbed sites, waste places, old fi elds, and pastures. The plant is also known as star-thistle. The blossoms typically appear from mid to late Summer, mostly from late June into August. These fl owers resemble those of the cultivated cornfl ower except the color is different. Spotted knapweed blossoms are usually pinkish-purple to purple, but sometimes they can be white. The outer petals form a fringe around the edge of the fl ower. The common name, spotted knapweed, refers to the black-tipped bristles around the base of the fl owers that give the plant a spotted look. Spotted knapweed is a major source of nectar with a good honey yield. The premium quality, delicate fl avored, light colored honey has a heavy, thick body. Much in demand, it is reluctant to granulate. Evodia or bee bee tree (Tetradium spp.) is one of the Spotted Knapweed

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 81 provides lots of pollen and nectar. The delicate tasting honey is white to light amber. Common boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a common wildfl ower that is found over much of the eastern half of the country. The clump forming, coarse, hairy, short lived perennial is hardy to zone three. This species is easy to distinguish from the related species by the fact that the distinctive, eight inch long foliage joins together at the bases to surround or perforate the stem. This can reach 4½ to six feet in height. While most bonesets and other eupatoriums tend to bloom during the late Summer into the Fall, this species begins fl owering earlier than most – in late July and continues into October. Typically creamy white, the rayless blossoms are Evodia occasionally blue, purple, or purple-tinged. They feature fl amboyant white corollas and long showy styles that fl owers, up to ½ inch in length. These can begin emerging resemble threads. in late Spring, but typically most fl owering occurs during The blooms form dense, loose, terminal, fl at topped the Summer, lasting until October or so. clusters. Each crowded, round fl ower head can contain The male and female blossoms appear on separate over a dozen blooms. plants with the former being erect while the latter are Various kinds of vine crops are major bee plants drooping. The whitish-green blossoms, which lack petals, in this region. These include cantaloupes, cucumbers, contain fi ve sepals and a winged calyx. gourds, watermelons, pumpkins, and squash. Other Well liked by bees, Japanese knotweed flowers Summer blooming bee plants in the Northeast include provide bee forage when little else is available. The amber sunfl owers, the various kinds of thistles, golden honey honey has a pleasing fl avor. plant, basswood, buttonbush, chicory, butterfl y bush, The common viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) is a black eyed susans, anise hyssop, purple loosestrife, major bee plant in both the Northeast and Southeast. snowberries, tickweeds, lavenders, and sumacs. My USDA list of bee plants refers to this plant as blue thistle. All of the various species of bugloss are long The Dogbanes (Apocynum spp.) blooming plants. While the above species have appeared in previous The plant typically behaves as a biennial, fl owering articles, the dogbanes haven’t. These are members of the second year. However, I have also seen this bloom the dogbane family. Around a dozen species are found the fi rst year as well. It has naturalized in some areas worldwide with three of those occurring in America. of the East. These shrubby native plants can be found in prairies, The 2½ foot tall, coarse looking, untidy plants are savannahs, sand dunes, sandy woodlands, rocky bluffs, covered with bristly hairs. For that reason, I always wear roadsides, woodland borders, open sites, dry thickets, protective clothing and gloves when working around it. and abandoned sandy fi elds. Flowering takes place from early Summer until frost. The dogbanes bear a resemblance to the milkweeds The very fl oriferous plant bears fl ower spikes all along although their fl owers are by no means similar. Like the the length of the stems. The bell-shaped to funnel-like milkweeds, their foliage exudes a milky sap. fl owers are quite showy. The leaves can be opposite or alternate. These bloom When they fi rst emerge, these are pink, but later turn most heavily in July and August, but fl owering can blue. Bees absolutely love these fl owers. Viper’s bugloss continue into the Fall. The fruits are cylindrical, slender follicles on long stalks. The seeds are covered with downy fl uff similar to that seen in milkweed pods. The wind spreads the seeds to new locations. The dogbanes can be toxic if they’re consumed. In addition to the two species featured below, another one called intermediate dogbane is found in all of the mainland states except for Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina. It is widespread but not very common. This is believed to be a naturally occurring hybrid of the spreading dogbane and Indian hemp. Depending on the source, its Latin name is either Apocynum medium or Apocynum x fl oribundum. This plant basically shares the traits of the two other species. It features lovely pink blossoms and red tinges on the lower stems.

Smoketree

82 BEE CULTURE September 2020 dogbane as the former is usually taller – around four feet. This erect, branched perennial features stems that are covered with stringy bark, which was used by Native Americans for fi ber. Indian hemp has also been cultivated for the fi ber. Indian hemp root was once used to induce vomiting. This species bears much larger leaves than spreading dogbane – six inches long and half as wide. The opposite foliage is ovate to elliptic and can be hairy beneath. Very fl oriferous, this wildfl ower bears both axillary and terminal fl ower clusters. The whitish-green, urn shaped to bell-like blossoms are ¼ inch across. The blooms typically emerge during the Summer, mostly from early Summer into August. The seeds are borne in pairs within the long slender follicles, which are four to eight inches long.

Viper’s bugloss Bee Value of the Dogbanes Both species are considered good bee plants. Bees Spreading dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) collect pollen and nectar from dogbane blossoms. Hardy to zone three, spreading dogbane occurs in all Appearing over a long period of three months or so, the of the mainland states except for Florida, South Carolina, fl owers are a favorite among bees. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kansas. This species is also As major nectar plants, these can bring large honey called honey-bloom and wild ipecac. crops. The nectar fl ow is best during dry periods. Typically two feet in height, it can occasionally reach The honey is very white with an excellent fl avor. This four to six feet. The shrubby, stout, branched, tap rooted is considered even better tasting than fi reweed honey. It perennial is wide spreading. The stems can develop a has a heavy body. reddish tinge. The opposite, drooping, deep green foliage is two to Growing the Dogbanes three inches in length and half as wide. The ovate, pinnate These wildfl owers are cultivated as ornamentals. The leaves are lighter colored beneath. They can be hairy on creeping roots allow the plants to spread. the underside. Typically, division is the preferred method of Often nodding, the relatively small, showy, whitish or propagation although seeds can also be used. The ideal pink, bell-like, bisexual, scented blossoms are 1/3 inch time to divide dogbane plants is when they’re dormant. wide. A pink stripe runs along the center of each lobe to The seeds should be collected in the Fall once they ripen. the corolla. Sow them at that time. Blossoms emerge from June through August. Up to On the whole, the plants do best in poor, dry soils, six inches long, the follicles form pairs on long slender and that is especially true for spreading dogbane. The stems. preferred soils are ones that are either rocky, sandy, or Spreading dogbane does indeed tend to spread barren. readily, and can crowd out slow growing species. The plants also adapt well to moderately moist soils. Although full sun is best, the dogbanes will also grow in Indian hemp (Apocynum cannabinum) partial to full shade. BC Hardy to zone four, this is also known as hemp dogbane, Choctaw root, and Canadian hemp. It is Connie Krochmal is a beekeper and plant expert living in relatively easy to distinguish Indian hemp from spreading Kentucky.

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September 2020 BEE CULTURE 83 BIGGER PICTURE Jessica innnan

Most of you probably don’t know All of my kids skateboard, to road rash from my chin to my nose, that I am one of the most accident varying degrees of success. I haven’t ripped a hole in the knee of one of my prone people on the planet. I started been on a skateboard since college, favorite pairs of leggings (they have breaking bones at six years old at and I wasn’t good then. My thought an American fl ag on one side and the Vacation Bible School, with my process was that I’d try longboarding Statue of Liberty on the other), and best friend (to this day) accidentally since I was more interested in keeping somehow pulled a chunk of skin off snapping my wrist in half. I’ve broken, up with my kids on wheels than doing my heel while still wearing my shoe. chipped, dislocated, and fractured tricks and longboards are a little My boys were freaking out once they more bones than I can remember, easier than a skateboard. I was trying turned around. Only Charlie saw me only counting the major breaks up to out Maggie’s longboard since she fall, but you know face injuries bleed this point. It’s not that I have weak didn’t go with us. Things were going like a stuck pig and make everything bones – I just hit them really hard. pretty well as far as I was concerned, worse. I wouldn’t let them take me My last major break was helping a as we were on the greenway and made to the hospital because of multiple friend move when it started raining. it about a mile with no accidents reasons, like coronavirus restrictions, Her dad was helping me throw a tarp to the end. I wasn’t as fast by any I hate hospitals and their bills, and I over my truck and tie it down with means, but I was gaining speed and usually can evaluate myself fairly well a bungee cord. The rain made them balance. We were coming back and between EMS training and personal slick and he lost his grip on the hook Henry encouraged me to go down experience. After a fitful night, I on his side, spinning out of his hand this little hill. I don’t know why I realized I could feel bone grinding and into my eye socket, cracking thought this was a good idea, and and decided to go to an urgent care to through the bone. It was so swollen I started wobbling about halfway check on my arm and see what kind it took a week to be able to X-ray it. I down. It took until the bottom to lose of angle the break was. was lucky to not lose an eye. To date, control, so there’s that. The hill was As a beekeeper audience, I’d like this is the longest I’ve went without a there because it was an underpass, you to imagine the conversation I broken bone, that is until two weeks and the entire area was concrete and had in the room with the nice ladies ago. Lots of people have tried to tell asphalt. When Charlie used Maggie’s explaining that I was not going to let me I’m getting too old to do things, board the week before, she said he them put a hard cast on me because and I laugh because it’s just normal. did something to it and I didn’t want Also, why should I stop doing things I to break her board. I tried to catch like just because everyone is afraid of it with my foot and ended up doing getting hurt? Fear is a dumb reason a Chinese split with the insides of (to me, anyway). my legs totally on the ground but my right foot still on the board. I felt my hamstring tear just as the board kept going and I tried to grab it. Using my hand to stop the board meant there was nothing to stop my face from hitting the pavement and I slammed my chin so hard my front teeth came all the way through and I chipped off part of one of my front teeth. This was probably lucky in the long run because if my teeth didn’t go through skin, I probably would have broken both my teeth in half. Later I found out I also had a hairline crack in my jawbone. In the meantime, I hit my face so hard I didn’t feel my arm snap and I broke my thumb and my radius at the thickest part near my wrist, popping it apart neatly George, Henry and Charlie – the true and compacting it right back into skateboard experts. place but maybe 1/8 inch off. I had Two days after the accident. 84 BEE CULTURE September 2020 not need my jaw wired shut since minimal. It’s not able to do anything there was so much other damage. The for the inside of my lip damage, and hamstring turned black after a couple I probably have permanently lost days from my butt to my knee and my ability to whistle. However, my it will probably take longer to heal nose, upper lip, and chin had no than anything. The road rash though signs of injury after less than two – that was the most concerning to weeks other than a small line on me out of all of it. Another thing my chin. The new lip hole (which I you probably don’t know is that drooled out of for two very sad days I take skincare seriously. I wear until it closed) is almost healed up, almost no makeup, but I seriously also with minimal scarring. This take care of my skin. Having a lot of was the most concerning because my face covered in cuts and scabs my mother kept telling me I was doesn’t make that easy. I was also going to end up with giant scar worried about scarring and getting an wrinkles all around my mouth. I’m infection. As may be deduced from my not sure if that was supposed to dislike of doctors and hospitals (I’ve deter me from future activities that also been nearly killed a couple times are deemed dangerous, or a dig at my from misdiagnoses and negligence obsession with skincare, but my new that required emergency surgery), I longboard is already on order and I also dislike taking pills and medicine, think my skincare obsession, along and avoiding antibiotics is a top with gratuitous use of honey, helped priority of mine. My stomach is bad to drastically minimize long-term for weeks and sometimes months damage. A few other people around if I have to take them. I decided to told me stories of the use of honey to Two weeks later. go with what worked in the past for help stop infections and help wound me, and I covered everything in tulip healing when I told them about mine. I still have to work in bees and the poplar honey. I’m not saying tulip We don’t make a lot of honey out smell alone would make me get lit up poplar works better, but it’s what I of our bees since they are primarily like a Christmas tree and piss off the had on hand. I always keep some used for research, but I will defi nitely bees to no end. They put a soft cast in an easy-to-use plastic jar with make sure we always have a few on and referred me to an orthopaedic either a squeeze lid or large mouth bottles of our own stuff on hand for specialist. I ordered an air cast with lid for burns. It is my absolute go-to things like this. If you sell your honey, thumb support from the internet and for burn injuries because nothing it might not be a bad marketing ploy cut off the soft cast after a few days. I’ve ever used blocks pain and heals to sell four ounce bottles with a red Unfortunately, it’s black, but it’s like honey. For my knee and heel cross on them as fi rst aid honey. To washable and works really well. I did injuries, I kept them slathered with be honest, I fi nd this to be by far get a couple stings working, and the honey and extra-large Band-Aids the most useful aspect of honey, air cast did a great job because it has replaced at least daily, if not twice even more than cooking or eating, adjustable Velcro for when my hand a day. I covered my face injuries or probably out of any other bee swelled some. I can also wash it or with honey twice a day, and used product. If it can keep my face from take it off to work with the baby ducks straight honey as a mask. I cannot scarring, it is absolutely deserving of and chickens and not get poop on it. stress to you enough how well the moniker “liquid gold” because it’s The thing is, the arm was a bad everything has healed or is healing. worth its weight in gold. BC break. The thumb isn’t concerning, I had no signs of infection, almost and I messed up my face enough to no scarring, and it kept the pain Jessica Louque keeps bees and tries be on soft foods for three weeks, but from drying out and pulling scabs to keep up with the kids at home in NC.

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September 2020 BEE CULTURE 85 isainra a Alice E

Whether it’s for self-suffi ciency to make your own I have made and used my Healing Herbal Beeswax health and beauty products for personal use and gifts, Salve over the years and have come to know its virtues, or to add a product to your honey sales, making salves from my research and intuition, to customer testimonials is an easy and excellent use of the valuable beeswax you and my own experience. While I provide my recipe in this can accumulate through beekeeping. article, do not limit yourself to what I have done. Beeswax If you typically use store-bought lotions you may not can enhance the herbal and moisturizing qualities of be aware of the many benefi ts of beeswax salves. I was whatever ingredients you add. Your creativity and herbal once like that. I originally started making salves because knowledge will expand the opportunities for creating your my grandmother made salves, and as beekeepers we had own recipes and products. the beeswax. I also thought it would be good for us to Just as when making mead you can either fl avor have another product to offer at our honey booth. What the drink with fruits, herbs, or spices or you can make a I’ve learned is that beeswax salves are superior to lotions simple mead with only water, honey, and yeast, so it is in and good for a lot more than moisturizing skin. salve making. The simplest most basic salve ingredients I developed a recipe for Healing Herbal Beeswax Salve are: beeswax and oil. And the process at its simplest is that I make in artisanal batches for Dancing Bee Gardens. to melt one part of the amount of beeswax into three By putting samples out at our booth people can try them. parts oil in a double boiler, then pour the mixture into I explain that they can be used as an all over moisturizer containers to cool. and because it is infused with certain herbs there are For my herbal salve I use the sun-infused oil method. many other healing uses for the salve as well. I use it for I begin collecting my herbs near the end of the summer almost all my fi rst aid needs. Salves are also very handy when all the different herbs that I like to use are in fl ower. for traveling, as a little goes a long way, usually packaged I gather these, and if they are at all moist I dry them out in a two-ounce tin, and solid so there’s no trouble getting a bit on a screen. Then I fi ll a gallon jar with the herbs through security when traveling by air. Salves are very and pour organic olive oil over the herbs to cover. I set small compared to a bottle of lotion leaving more space my jar in the sun for two weeks. I push the herbs down in your luggage for other things. so that there are as few air bubbles as possible.

If the herbs aren't completely dry place them on a Herbs in jars ready for oil to be added for solar infusion." screen until they are dry to the touch." 86 BEE CULTURE September 2020 The oils and herbs you choose for your salve will give it the special properties of those herbs and oils. Know your ingredients, and use what you know. You can get ideas by visiting an herbalist, or checking the ingredients in skin products you like and use. Think about what is inspiring you to do this and let your curiosity lead your research into the type of product you want to make. List any problems you want to address with the salve and let that guide your discovery of helpful herbs. I know that caster oil is great for healthy hair growth for example and have made a hair styling salve, with caster oil, beeswax, and essential oils for scent. To start: Do you have inspiration? Do you have needs that a salve could solve or soothe? If you have decided to make beeswax salve gather all the herbs, oils, and wax that you will need. Make sure you have all your supplies before you start, and make sure they are labeled to prevent any mix-ups. You will need: clean beeswax, olive oil, a jar for solar infusing with herbs if you are doing that, a double boiler, cheese cloth for straining out herbs, essential oils for scent, containers to fi ll, and labels. Herbs for the most part are best collected and used immediately. You may need a screen for drying them if you can’t fi nd a dry time to collect them. See my Herbal Healing Salve “If producing for the market be sure to weigh out the fi rst one recipe at the end of this article. Process your beeswax to get the proper fi ll line so it matches the weight on the label into clean smaller measured pieces like one ounce or before fi ling the rest.” eight-ounce blocks. Next gather the materials you will need. What kind onto it to strain out the herbal material. You can let time of containers will you fi ll with salve? Will you make some do the job or elect to fi nish up by taking the cheese cloth small test batches and reuse small glass bottles and tins off the pot and wringing it out so that the oil passes into or are you ready to place a big wholesale order for tins the pot and the herbs form a clump inside the cheese from a major company? cloth. The herbs make a great addition to your compost The way I like to make salves is to collect the pile. Don’t squeeze too hard and end up adding watery fresh herbs. Most herbs will be more effective if fresh. herb juice to the oil inadvertently. Water can cause your Calendula is an exception and can be used fresh or salves to spoil. If made with care salves can last a year dried. By observing the bees all summer on the fl owers or more. You can add preservatives such as vitamin E or you will be aware of what nature is offering and in what rosemary extract and these can have other benefi ts as quantities and locations. Every year is a little different. well, but remember there is no water in a quality salve Bring a bunch of bags and visit locations where your and beeswax is a preservative too. chosen herbs grow. Harvest responsibly, by taking no Ready to fi nish making these salves? Put water in the more than one third of what’s available in any one area. bottom of your double boiler. Add ingots or small chunks Also think of the quality of your herbal salve and don’t of clean beeswax to your olive oil. You can choose another harvest from contaminated sites. Find a sunny spot to type of oil, but do your research to make sure it’s what you put your jar, and fi ll it with clean dry herbs. Pour the oil want. I use olive oil because I believe it’s the most stable. into the jar over the herbs, pushing the herbs down to I know from experience than sunfl ower oil does not. The get out as many bubbles as possible. Your hand is going proportions are four parts oil to one part beeswax. Melt to be covered in olive oil so you want to be prepared for gently together, if there’s anything else such as essential that with some sort of towel to wipe it off or just rub the oils that you want to add, add those when the beeswax oil into your bare arms and legs to moisturize. You could has melted and mixed into the oil. Stir gently. I use a use a kitchen utensil to push down the herbs. I like to Pyrex measuring cup the pour the mixture into my tins do this whole process outside because it can get messy. and that works quite well. You will want something with a Put the lid on the jar tight and leave the mixture to infuse little spout to pour with. Be sure the counter or table you outside in the Summer sun for two weeks. Could you set are working on is level but be sure to put newspapers all it on a kitchen counter or in a sunny window? Maybe, around on the fl oor just in case. By leaving a little room but I’ve never tried it believing that direct sun is needed. at the top of the containers you’re less likely to make a If the herb oil mix doesn’t have consistent and signifi cant mess. Fill the containers and wait for the salve to harden all over warmth, spoilage can occur. My intuition says no and cool before you put the lids on. Label your product! If to indoor sun infusion. you feel unsure of the oil to wax ratio or you want to make After the herbs have infused into the oil by sitting your salve softer or harder, simply adjust the amount of in the sun it’s time to strain the herbs out. Begin by beeswax. Use more beeswax for a more solid product and stretching the cheese cloth over the opening of the double less for a softer salve. To gage the effect of the amount of boiler pot (top part) and secure it with a rubber band wax you are adding, you can start with the least amount, around the edge and/or clothes pins. You don’t want the add a little more at a time dropping a drip of the wax-oil cheese cloth to come loose while you’re pouring the oil mixture on wax paper and putting the wax paper into the

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 87 fridge for a moment then check the cooled consistency. Let sit outside in the sun for two weeks. Keep adding beeswax until you have the consistency you Strain herbs out with cheesecloth. like. You did it! Ideally let the infused oil sit and settle for a day before A resource I would recommend for concise instructions starting production. on this and other herbal preparations is Rosemary For each cup of oil add 1/4 cup of beeswax and melt Gladstar’s Family Herbal, a guide to living life with energy, together in a double boiler. health and vitality. Add a tablespoon or two of vitamin E. When everything is melted just before you’re ready to Alice’s Healing Herbal Salve Recipe pour you can add lavender essential oil, two tablespoons, Harvest the herbs below to fi ll a gallon jar. The for a pleasant scent. Pour the mixture into tins and label quantity of each herb is listed in order of most to least. when cool. Though these herbs have many virtues I selected them for the quality listed after the herb. I usually make a gallon of oil at a time. To this I add three eight-ounce chunks of beeswax. Half of the mixture Comfrey- heals muscles and bones I use for unscented saves. Only to the remainder do I add Calendula - soothing to skin irritations/infl ammation the two tablespoons of lavender essential oil. Makes about Red Clover- anticancer, lymph clearing 50 tins, two-oz each. BC Plantain - soothes bug bites St. John’s wort - heals nerves and skin Alice Eckles is the author of The Literature Preferred by Wild Heal all - heals wounds Boar, a novel. While she sometimes assists in beekeeping, she Sage - antimicrobial mostly handles the value added parts of the beekeeping business she shares with Ross Conrad and works at her own artist business Cover the clean dry herbs in large jar with organic AliceEcklesStudio.com. olive oil.

88 BEE CULTURE September 2020 My Environmental

System James E. Baar

For the moment – success! As was my plan, I checked all the packages the next No doubt, I told you about my experiences last day. With bated breath and minimal smoke, I was elated Autumn. I simply can’t recall how much I wrote. True, I to fi nd that a minor miracle had occurred. Overnight, the could look that up, but I have a story I want to tell you; bees had cleaned and reclaimed the two frames to the and either way, I will need to retell parts of the past saga. extent that they looked (mostly) like typical honey frames. The shortened version of my story was that last Fall, I had As the following days/weeks passed, as needed and when to address some “addressable” health issues. A surgical possible, I continued to add blemished honey frames to procedure was required, and an unexpected hospital stay the ever-growing bee population. In my defense, I never was included. Recovery took longer than expected, and I once overwhelmed them with this ugly task. I added was forced to take an objective look at my ever-increasing frames slowly and over time. age. I’m good now. During that time, my bees had to take care of themselves. Has Jim Tew not often said that the yard most distant from him and his colony management programs usually fare the best? Disappointingly and bluntly written, my bees, in fact, last winter did not do a superb job without me. Indeed, many of my colonies died last Winter.

Personal observa on made over many wintering seasons – Most likely due to the eff ects and side-eff ects of Varroa infesta ons, a large adult bee popula on and a large honey reserve will not guarantee my colonies’ unques oned wintering success. Beau - This frame had mostly crystallized honey. (Lower left remains.) ful colonies can s ll die an ugly Winter death. I am near the point Bees have moved reprocessed stores to right side. Brood nest of making the profound statement that, for successful wintering, area is being repaired. New white wax on some edges. Punc- colony health is more important than suffi cient food reserves. I tured cappings are on honey – not brood. 50% of the bees have been removed to show the comb. can supply emergency food, but I can do li le about bad health in a wintering cluster. A needed clue – Not really knowing how the bees would react As has been the case in other instances, these dead to these needful honey frames, I put an outer cover (topside up) colonies left signifi cant amounts of unused honey stores. underneath the colony and monitored the trash accumula on In other articles, I have made light of the process of taking from the frames being refurbished. All hives had open screened surplus honey from dead colonies – Sardonic humor. Once bo om boards. No trash would equal no interest in the frames. again, I had signifi cant quantities of honey from winter- Immediate trash and steady trash accumula on would mean killed colonies that was not pristine. reclama on work was underway. This honey was really not pristine. You will see In general, monitoring colony trash both in front and beneath no photos – no videos - of this crop in this article. Too the colony is a good monitoring procedure. Good informa on many of you would be offended. The options for solving can be gleaned from bee colony garbage. this unloved honey issue and returning the committed equipment to usable condition would drain the remainder Massive colonies of my article space here. With honey bee package delivery These three-pound packages have developed into imminent and hive equipment in short supply, I opted to massive colonies; beyond anything for which I could work side-by-side with my bees. In my own non-verbal have hoped. I must give the queens a lot of credit. No way, I asked the bees what they could do with this messy colony growth could have occurred without solid queen crop. performance. Of the 10 packages with which I began, two As best I could, I cleaned the frames, full combs, and queens were rejected. One was replaced naturally, and hive equipment. In the traditional manner, I installed the I simply combined the other package into a six-pound packages and ultimately released the queens. At the time package. of package installation, I gave each of the packages two deep frames of the sullied honey.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 89 In three months, from a three-pound package to these powerhouse colonies in three deeps. I have since added another deep to all colonies.

Random thoughts and admonishments Was Ozymandias a beekeeper? Ugly honey in the comb My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Yes, the honey I gave the packages was ugly. There Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’ is simply no other word other than ugly that could have Nothing beside remains. Round the decay described it. But it was naturally bee-processed honey Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare in natural wax combs. It would appear (I have no science The lone and level sands stretch far away1. to support my conjecture) that usable honey that needs recovering is more benefi cial than a sugar syrup feed that Am I in any way like Ozymandias? Did I not start this bees must process and then build combs in which to store season with honey stores from Winter-killed colonies? it. Again, it would appear that the bees professionally Was my apiary not laid to waste during the past winter? cleaned the product and immediately began to put it to Did I not have nice colonies last Summer with which I use. If I dare write this for you, I cautiously say that these fretted and wrote articles? Did I not struggle to control colonies are too large too fast. varroa populations last season and all the seasons before? I must not forget that my unique success story this season Swarms is built on last Winter’s killed colonies. One seasonal They’re going to swarm. I can nearly promise you colony empire seems to build upon the previous one. that I will get either off-season or late season swarms from these big colonies. I have learned this from painful For this fl eeting bee moment… experience. In seasons past, from colonies this size, I My bees are great just now. I don’t get to say that have had to watch large primary swarms along with my very often. It feels good. But from years of experience, I beautiful marked queen, fl y away. I don’t care how long know that this beautiful moment cannot last. I plan to you have kept bees, or how it could be benefi cial to the photograph and enjoy, but then I must do what I must environment – a large swarm fl ying away is painful. to keep them with me and not off in the wild – or worse. I’m going to split them later this week. I have arranged to get quality mature cells that I will use to help speed Yet some other pleasant surprises the queen replacement process along. Colonies like I am Late during the spring of 2019, I had a few remaining picturing here are unnatural in the wild. If it works, I will Ohio wildfl ower seed packets that I scattered in a small keep you informed. plot in front of my shop. Last Spring (2019), a few scruffy plants came up and put out a few desperate fl owers. All Personal observa on gained from painful experience – A beau- the plants soon gave it up for the Winter. I thought no ful colony will not stay beau ful indefi nitely. Truly, in this case, more about them. beauty is in the eye of the beekeeper beholder. Such colonies The past Winter was mild with only a few truly cold are unnatural, and the bees, given me, will make correc ve periods. Not much snow. Occasionally, I would notice that changes – or something else will change. The season will pass. the dormant native plants in the small plot did not appear Varroa popula ons will grow. Suicide swarms will issue too late to have been cold killed. Otherwise, I did nothing. This to establish themselves. Robbing. Beauty in bee colonies waxes past spring, 2020, that little planting exploded. Presently, and wanes. Enjoy them while they last. Make photos. Boast. I actually look like a fl ower gardener, but in reality, all I did was sow a few seeds and lightly cover them with a shallow layer of mulch and then wait a year. I have been I have been here before given compliments, and I have greatly enjoyed the native I have had colonies that looked this good before. bee activity on the blooms. Keeping colonies this large is hard work. It is as simple When gardening, I don’t know what I am doing. I only as that. They are crazy heavy. They can be defensive. garden enough to subsidize my bees, but I have always They are diffi cult and messy to work, and they are hard to had an interest in both fl ower and vegetable gardening. treat for mites--but I wish all of my colonies were like this. My parents and grandparents seriously gardened. I grew

1Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Ozymandias” in Miscellaneous and Posthumous Poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley (London: W. Benbow, 1826), 100. 90 BEE CULTURE September 2020 This small garden germinatd from volunteer seed from the previous season. I had to support the spindly plants from falling over. Native bees and Syrphid fl ies love this little planting.

up with both fl ower beds and large garden plots, but I more than my share of Japanese beetles, but that’s have not always followed through as an adult (read that okay. I also have more than my share of butterfl ies and to mean that I have grown a lot of undesirable weeds in pollinators. But I have more than my share of mice and my time). moles, but that’s okay, too. I commonly get rabbits and I am not enough of an accomplished writer to express ground hogs too. But this season, I had a special visitor what I would like to say. My feeble effort would be that in response to my unmanaged lawn – a red tail hawk. fl ower gardening is not beekeeping, but fl ower gardening The majestic bird spent the morning in my back is very closely allied to beekeeping. While I realize that I yard – apparently hunting for food in the nearly knee- cannot plant enough to have any true positive effects on deep clover and grass of my backyard. I actually limited my bees, I still feel good about trying. my activities and stayed quiet – for hours – in order not to disturb the bird as it surveyed and hunted the area. I let my lawn run wild, too. On occasion it would swoop down to the grassy ground My neighbors have grown accustomed to this lawn to take care of some business. quirk of mine. For many seasons now past, I have stopped At one point, the predator bird and a squirrel had mowing my back lawn during clover season. I make no a near-confrontation that I was allowed to watch. I did effort to eradicate “weedy” white clover. On either side of not become involved. Ultimately, the squirrel opted to me, lawns are regularly manicured and trimmed. just wait the bird out. Both, apparently, lived happily I have written in past articles that there are some ever after. undesirable aspects of lawn wildness. I suspect I have Beekeepers, I must say that it was an interesting

Season clover that I leave for my bees and anything else that wants to be there.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 91  Just now, within my apiary is the gentle odor of nectar being processed. A few days ago, while in a frenzy to get extra equipment ready for placing on the hives, I removed some wax moth damage. Wax moth damaged combs have a unique odor. Smoke from my hive smoker leaves a residue that smells of both new and old smoke. The odor of the alarm pheromone is emitted when I am stung. The straw odor of package bees in my car as I drive home from picking them up agitates my allergies. New beekeepers, all I can say on this topic is that there is a world of bee-related odors that you will have to discover for yourself. I can show photos and movies, but I cannot capture the associated smells that go with our beekeeping.

I have nearly missed my mark I have nearly missed my mark in this article. My inspiration for the month was to be a review of the backyard environmental complexity related to beekeeping. This includes the interaction of other life forms in that system and the odors that are related to beekeeping. One of my bees on a clover source that I provided. Good job, Jim. For the past few weeks, I have deeply enjoyed diversity that has been associated with my beekeeping. Honey bees moment. I realized that my initial effort to provide a and their management are always part of a much more small amount of forage for my bees had allowed cover for complex picture. For me, that picture is frequently out- other smaller animals which had, in turn, allowed larger of-focus. For the past few weeks, I was allowed a glimpse predaceous animals to prey on the smaller ones. For a of that bigger picture. It was a good experience. Keeping brief moment, I had developed a multi-tiered environment bees is so much more than simply keeping bees. I thank – all because I wanted to allow my bees some forage. It you for reading this piece. BC felt good. Dr. James E. Tew, Emeritus Faculty, Entomology, The Ohio State Summer smells University and One Tew Bee, LLC; [email protected]; http:// One of the losses of written matter is the loss of all www.onetew.com. things with an odor. The clover and my small native fl ower garden all have a very pleasant aroma. Then there’s my beeyard. I have often thought how much information that I associate with apicultural odors. Yet, I have never experienced a single lecture that could capture the cacophony of odors that come with bee management.

https://youtu.be/rynWVuJjJEM

Two animals sizing each other up. They ultimately came together due to my unkempt back lawn. Both survived the encounter.

92 BEE CULTURE September 2020 GLEANINGS SEPTEMBER 2020 • ALL THE NEWS THAT FITS EB OBRE B On Wednesday August 5, the world This Spring, the Back Yard Beekeep- The parasitic mites feed on adults of the Texas beekeeping industry ers Association (BYBA) apiarist and their young, and can transmit lost a giant. Dr. John G. Thomas David Blocher contacted Aspetuck viruses such as deformed wing passed away due to complications of Land Trust’s Land Stewardship Di- virus. Fortunately over many gen- dealing with the Covid-19 virus. He rector Lou Bacchiocchi looking for erations, some hives have adapted and Janice both contracted the virus a place to host a honey bee queen behaviors to defend themselves and but due to his weakened status, he rearing project. Bacchiocchi imme- their off spring from varroosis, called passed away. Janice is recovering. diately thought of Aspetuck Land “Varroa Sensitive Hygiene” (VSH). Dr. John had been involved with Trust’s Randall’s Farm Preserve Bees expressing this VSH trait un- beekeeping since his teen years. Af- as the perfect spot to host bees. derstand how to identify pupal cells ter high school, he went to TX A&M This Easton sanctuary is an all-en- containing mites, uncap these cells, to study entomology and essential- many unnamed roles. Dr. John was compassing haven for pollinators; and remove the mite-infected pupae ly never left. He became one of the the driving force in getting a hon- the preserve has 34-acres of early from the hive. This behavior can be greatest ambassadors for the honey ey bee research facility built at the blooming trees, diverse stretches of passed down from the queen to each bee and could speak long and elo- Riverside campus of TX A&M and wildfl ower-fi lled meadows, prolifi c of her off spring, until the entire hive quently about that wonderful organ- he and Janice provided a substantial wetlands, and an abundance of sur- has the VSH trait. Blocher’s mission ism. He would eagerly mentor any- fi nancial gift to the fundraising ef- rounding farms whose crops would is to raise hives at Randall’s one who asked (and some that did forts. That result is the Dr. John G. thrive with the introduction of new As these beekeepers practice not ask) about honey or honey bees. and Janice Thomas Honey Bee Fa- neighborhood pollinators. rearing queens with the ability to He was equally passionate about cility. The TX beekeeping industry A major goal of Aspetuck Land combat Varroa at Randall’s Farm the TX Beekeepers Association and will long be indebted to his love of Trust’s Green Corridor initiative is and in their own hives, queens from served it all his adult life. Due to his the honey bee and his willingness to supporting pollinators, like Bloch- neighboring hives have the potential position with the Agricultural Ex- walk the extra mile in its support. er’s honey bees, due to the vital to mate with these VSH drones. tension Service, he never served as Good bye, Dr. John. There will ecosystem services these insects Bacchiocchi is especially proud an elected offi cer but served many not be another like you! provide. Aspetuck Land Trust is that Aspetuck Land Trust supports years as Executive Secretary and in encouraging homeowners, for ex- this BYBA research project. As- ample, to do three things to support petuck Land Trust is always open William T. (Bill or "Bud") Wilson states. During his career, he visited pollinators: to collaborating with groups and returned to his heavenly home on numerous foreign countries with 1) Plant native plants researchers to host studies on its June 23, 2020, after a valiant battle work programs in Mexico, Guate- 2) Rethink your lawn and properties. “We’re using our prop- with vascular dementia at the age mala and Morocco. He was senior 3) Avoid pesticide and herbicide use. erties not just for preservation and of 87. Bill was born July 22, 1932. or junior author on more than 250 recreation,” Bacchiocchi said, “but He is the oldest child of Catherine publications. He served as assistant Since Randall’s Farm is located also for scientifi c research.” and William Wilson Jr. He was born professor at CO State University within the Green Corridor and more Aspetuck Land Trust is a and raised with his younger brother, and adjunct professor at University importantly is directly adjacent to non-profi t land conservation organi- Robert Wilson (Shirley), on a small of WY and TX A&M University. the newly acquired 34-acre Gilber- zation founded in 1966 to preserve farm in the Salt Lake Valley, UT. His specialty was control of diseases tie’s Organic Farm, these BYBA open space in the towns of Westport, He graduated from Cyprus High and parasites of honey bees. bees will have an abundance of Weston, Fairfi eld and Easton. Over School located in Magna, UT. He In 2000, he retired and moved to healthy forage nearby. the years, the land trust has pro- graduated from CO A&M and CO Summit, UT, the ancestral home of Blocher and his class of BYBA tected 150 properties on over 2,000 State University with Bachelor & Cathey, and kept busy with family, members, ranging from novice to acres of land and recently launched Master Degrees. He served three personal history, gardening, reading experienced, tend to the bees at Ran- a Green Corridor initiative to save years in the U.S. Air Force as a Cap- and enjoying family and friends. Bill dall’s Farm while learning the skill more land and increase biodiversity tain. Bill entered OH State Univer- and Cathey spent the last several of breeding queens. Many beekeep- in the landscape. For information sity and completed a Ph.D. in 1967 Winters in Maricopa, AZ. ers buy queens and bees from breed- visit www.aspetucklandtrust.org. and a post-doctoral program at Uni- ers in southern states, so Blocher is The Back Yard Beekeepers As- versity of CA, Irvine. He and Mary equipping BYBA members with the sociation (BYBA) is one of the Catherine (Cathey) were married ability to raise their own queens. Nation’s largest regional clubs for November 28, 1958, and have fi ve However, this project doesn’t just beekeeping hobbyists with over 250 children, Mark (Joyce), Eric (Jenni), aim to support locally-reared bees members. The mission of BYBA is Bill (Michelle), Melissa, Cody (Au- – its main goal has a more scientifi c to provide their membership with a drey), 18 grandchildren and 13 great edge. These queens are strategically forum for sharing knowledge and grandchildren. He spent 37 years bred to pass on genetic resistance to mutual interests in beekeeping, and of his career as a research lead- a the Varroa mite. educate and promote the benefi ts of er and teacher in universities and Varroa infestation is the prima- beekeeping to the public. For infor- U.S. Dept. of Agr, working in many ry reason for bee colony mortality. mation backyardbeekeepers.com.

September 2020 BEE CULTURE 93 Keynote speaker is Samuel Ramsey. Check the NHBA website www.nhbee- calendar keepers.org for any change in location. Stuttering

GEORGIA VIRGINIA Gets the Royal Georgia Beekeepers Association will cele- October 10-11 brating their 100 Year Anniversary September Sun Hive Workshop: Learn how to build Treatment 25-26 with the fi rst Nationwide Black Jar the Sun Hive! This exciting hands-on hive honey contest. building experience will be accompanied by Speakers include Keith Delaplane, Cindy lectures related to the importance of hive Bee, Dave Tarpy, Jamie Ellis and Virginia scent and warmth, wax, form and hive body Webb. materials. Classes take place at Spikenard Register at gabeekeeping.com. Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd, VA. website: www.spikenardfarm.org contact: info@ MICHIGAN spikenardfarm.org or 540-745-2153 The following Michiana Beekeepers month- ly meetings for 2020 will be held at the Nap- penee Public Library, on date shown from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. King George VI, whose live broadcasts of September 19th - Speaker Dr. Jeff Pettis hope and inspiration kept the spirits of the October 17th - Speaker Dr. Jim Tew British people alive during the dark days of World War II, met the challenge of stutter- For more information and to register con- ing with courage. tact Debbie, 574.277.0152. If you stutter, you should know about this gentle and courageous man, dramatized in The King’s Speech. For more information on NEW HAMPSHIRE how you can meet your challenge, contact us. New Hampshire Beekeepers Association will hold their Fall meeting October 17 at THE STUTTERING www.StutteringHelp.org Manchester Community College, 1066 Front FOUNDATION® www.tartamudez.org A Nonprofit Organization Street. Since 1947—Helping Those Who Stutter If held in person it will be 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 800-992-9392 p.m. Lunch will be provided for a fee. If the meeting cannot be held in person it will be held online.

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September 2020 BEE CULTURE 95 m finishing out my term as Colorado State Of course a hive with no brood that’s Beekeepers Association president, and just before in the process of re-queening is a perfect the CSBA put on its Zoom summer meeting, my vice- candidate for an oxalic acid dribble. I’ve I’president Tina called. She’d agreed to do a hive examination lately taken to bringing along my oxalic demonstration, and she phoned to inform me that she’d acid garden sprayer when I visit my out- washed her bee jacket. That might not sound newsworthy, yards. That way if I run across a colony but I’ve never washed mine, and it works just fine. With that’s brood-less, or nearly so, I can give age and wear, unwashed cotton stiffens and becomes even ‘em the hotfoot. On broodless colonies, more bee-sting-resistant. Tina’s implication was that maybe this inexpensive treatment typically we ought to both spruce up for the meeting, but I refused knocks mites directly to Varroa heaven, to be bullied. Plus, I had my own beeyard message for the doesn’t contaminate the honey, and is faithful: Don’t sweat the petty stuff. easy on bees. (If this dribble talk is all Greek What’s really important in beekeeping? Certainly not what to you, I recommend visiting Randy colors you paint your hive bodies or what direction they face, or Oliver’s Scientifi cbeekeeping.com.) Winter insulation, or a thousand other things newbies fret over. I’ve also begun experimenting with And your bee suit doesn’t have to be sparkling white. mid-summer treatment of selected Beginners need to remember two things: Don’t let your bees queen-right colonies with the dribble. starve, and keep your Varroa mites at bay. There are a myriad of This is all about timing, heavy lifting, ways to accomplish these critically important goals. But keep your and predicting the future. Let’s say that eye on the ball. The rest of it will come with time, and practice. today, July 10, a hive tests at six mites Beeyard decisions often have both an up and a downside. I – not an immediate threat to the bees. used to send bees to California for the almonds. Was that a bad or And let’s assume that Varroa double a good thing to do? Well, they generally arrived home in late March their numbers every 30 days. So this bustin’ out of their boxes and bearing a pollination check. That’s colony, if left untreated, should test good. But they reliably got some chemical exposure in the almonds, at 12 mites on August 10, 24 mites in and they brought home a mite load. Not so good. September, and 48 in October. Yikes! Our job as beekeepers is to make decisions that to the best of Two thirds of the mites are safely our knowledge and ability, help our bees, and make economic sense. ensconced in the capped brood, leaving We all make mistakes. That’s OK. We learn from those mistakes. We the remaining third at large in the do our best, persevere, and strive to never fall asleep at the wheel. colony. I can treat this colony with an I made some “walkaway” splits in late April, using Richard oxalic acid dribble now, and kill those Taylor’s technique for fi nding the queen, or at least making an exposed mites. I’d rather do this today, educated guess which super she’s in. Taylor said to pop the lid and with only one honey super to remove smoke the top super heavily. Then leave that lid off for awhile. If before doing my sugar shake, than in the queen’s in the top super, she’ll generally retreat to the lower. August, when I’ll have two or hopefully I hauled these no-queen upper-super splits to another yard, three honey supers to take off fi rst, to make their own queen. The good news was that eight of nine and an impending crisis on my hands. really did turn out to be queenless. Thank you, Richard Taylor, for If necessary, I can retreat a week from a priceless tip, and may you rest in peace. today, and even the week following, as The bad news was that of nine queen-less splits, only one more mites emerge clinging to newborn eventually made a new queen. I’m not sure why, but that’s honey bees. But I’d rather not. beekeeping for you! Like any other treatment, I don’t In my operation, queens get superseded all the time. I consider want to overuse oxalic acid, lest my this in general to be a good thing, and Nature’s way to improve a Varroa develop resistance. My goal is situation that the bees, in their collective wisdom, recognize needs not to reduce my mite numbers to zero fi xing. What perplexes me is that superseded hives, weeks after they but to bring them down to an acceptable get reestablished with a new queen and full of brood, sometimes level, so I can get some sleep. have significantly higher mite counts than their neighboring colonies. This goes against the conventional wisdom that the brood break that accompanies supesedure upsets the mites’ reproductive Ed cycle and reduces mite loads. I wonder if hives with higher mite numbers are more inclined to replace their queen. I’m not talking about sky-high mite numbers. I’m talking about numbers like eight or nine mites, in June or early July, in a 300-bee sugar-shake Message To The sample, when neighboring hives are testing at two or fewer. When I mentioned this to Tina, she told me she’d just tested a Faithful dozen hives, nearly all showing zero or one mite per sample. But two superseded colonies tested at 13 and 18 mites. BOTTOM BOARD 96 BEE CULTURE September 2020