Here are documents to explore:
The recent USDA "refresher"
http://www.beeculture.com/catch-buzz-usda-working-pollinators-refresher/
and also you can peruse two of the main documents making up the strategy:
https://www.whitehouse.gov//sites/whitehouse.gov/files/images/Blog/PPAP_2016.pdf
https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator-Strategy%20Appendices%202015.pdf
Malcolm Sanford
http://beekeep.info
On 09/25/2016 12:00 AM, BEE-L automatic digest system wrote:
> There are 7 messages totaling 370 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. "Natural Varroa mite-surviving Apis mellifera honeybee populations" (3)
> 2. Beetles, and lots of them! (3)
> 3. "Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2015"
>
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>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 09:30:20 -0400
> From: Justin Kay <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: "Natural Varroa mite-surviving Apis mellifera honeybee populations"
>
>> Colonies that don't swarm grow in size to occupy the equivalent of 4 to
>> 5 deep 10 frame Langstroth hives.
>>
> I mean no disrespect, but I'm calling shenanigans.
>
> If you are talking about a brood nest of 4-5 deeps, that's not possible.
> 7,000 cells per frame, 6 frames per box of brood makes 42,000 cells per
> box, so 168,000 to 210,000 brood cells. Over 21 days, that makes a queen
> laying rate of 8,000 to 10,000 eggs per day.
>
> If you are talking about a box or two of brood and 3-4 of honey, not
> counting what you extract in supers, that makes 180-240 lbs of honey.
>
> If you are counting a box or two of brood and 3-4 of honey including what
> you extract, that puts your average above the 80-100 lb average you cited
> in that post.
>
> I'm not buying it.
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 10:23:02 -0500
> From: Kevin Gross <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: "Natural Varroa mite-surviving Apis mellifera honeybee populations"
>
>> I mean no disrespect, but I'm calling shenanigans.
> No disrespect taken Justin, but you are clearly erroneously reading into my report and drawing false conclusions.
>
> In no wise did I claim my colonies having brood nests reaching sizes of 4 - 5 deeps. The discussion regarding mite-surving colonies included the observation that smaller colony size was one of the attributes associated with some the handful of populations reviewed in the paper. Some of the comments proceeding the original post were addressing the disadvantage smaller colony size might have on production. My report was intended to show an example of mite-surving colonies that are able to reach a respectable size and be productive.
>
> The amount of harvestable honey is very location dependent and has to do with forage availability going through the active season. What we experience here is a very pronounced spring and early summer flow during which most of the harvestable honey is put up. This main flow is followed by a couple of months of summer dearth during which no surplus honey is put up. During seasons like this one in which my area is experiencing extreme drought conditions some of the spring honey may be consumed through the summer by the colonies for lack of nectar availability through the dearth.
>
> We usually get a shorter ‘fall flow’ during which more honey gets stored and depending on the season additional honey may be harvested. I’m not looking to get any more harvest this year because of the drought. I believe I have left enough honey behind in most of the hives although some redistributing from the have’s to the have not’s may be required prior to winter.
>
> As I mentioned, for my area the honey yields have been remarkably good. A preliminary look at my detailed journals are showing that among the 15 production hives, the range of honey yield is 74 - 185 lbs. with the average coming in at 100 lbs. The most common reason for the lesser production in some of the hives surrounds being queenright and having strong workforce in place at the onset of the main flow. Another factor is that all of the production hives were tasked this year with building out new comb on at least one new super of foundation and in some cases two new supers of foundation.
>
> As far as how big do the broodnests get I would say a conservative estimate would be 9 - 10 frames of brood at peak which is just prior to the main flow period which also coincides with the peak swarming period. After that peak the broodnests get reduced in size and the colonies actually take a break in brooding during the summer dearth.
>
> No shenanigans here Justin, just field truth.
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 11:43:34 -0500
> From: Charles Linder <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Beetles, and lots of them!
>
> I maybe should change the title for this ope, but since I intend to get back to beetles I left it.
>
>
> I made my living in engineering and problem solving before I retired and moved to beekeeping. I still do some consulting in problem solving. The basics of problem solving for me has been based around the 'Shainin" system One of the keys to problem solving is determining if it’s a simple or complex problem. Most of the time its actually simple and a principle called dividing the dictionary will apply. Sometimes it is complex with many variables, and then you would use standard scientific and probability.
>
> My first run with beetles was a pallet of hives I placed under an Oak tree nice spot.. little damp but off the tractor path. Beetles wiped it out, working their way around the pallet. So study I did. And of course the full sun concept came out. So I did it and as luck had it, the hives put 30 yards away did well. Turns that was the end of beetles that season. Problem solved right?? Not so fast...
>
> Next season, problems back drat, wait these hives are in full 100% sun?? tight hives all the clichés covered. Didn't matter. Hives gone.
>
> Crap, what to do?? So I pondered Randy, the one thing Randy has done for us, like it or not, has to spark intellectual curiosity, quite repeating and test and try some things. He has bridged a gap between lab science and real world lets test this theory. (FWIW Randy things I am complete bonkers on this topic)
>
> So for the last 2 years I have been doing somethings like I would if I was engineering. My home yard is set up with hives in morning sun/afternoon shade, Morning shade/ afternoon sun, full sun, and last but not least full shade. Last year showed me no differences based on sun content. This year is a repeat, in fact the 2 yards quite literally destroyed by beetles are remarkable full sun, not a lick of shade.
>
> I could go into details about eliminating variables and modifying methods, but that wasn't my point, I have no desire to prove anything to anyone. What I had hoped was that some would be stimulated to question some things. In fact I was quite surprised no one asked how I came to that conclusion.
>
> In reading the replies, it seems perfectly clear that everyone who really has beetle issues throws everything but the kitchen sink at them, and then assumes its all of them combined. Looking back, that’s how most problems get solved. Change everything and never really know what the root cause was. Some would call it luck, others superstition. It is our nature. If our team wins the game, then that’s suddenly a lucky Jersey, Bang on a pot and the swarm lands and tanging is a miracle... never mind the fact that most swarms land within 300 feet of the original hive anyway.
>
> I challenge you guys to move a hive back into the shade next year. Use all the other techniques such as 1 super at a time etc. only change one variable at a time. I have, and found this variable, at least in these soil types to be a complete non issue. Same in GA, Fl, IL and central OH and HI.
>
>
> In this case I spent a lot of time looking at variables and others yards. The vast majority of my friends and colleges who make a lot of honey would tell you afternoon shade at the very least, and most will tell you full shade. I can tell you with no doubt that shade will help most hives make more honey. And water close by is a huge help. In fact next year I plan to test filling feeders with water to see if it helps.
>
> Back to beetles. Larger operators will tell you the same thing, shade is not seemingly a factor, does that mean you should avoid full sun?? nope, put them where ever you like. I am sure in some areas sun on the soil will dry it out and slow beetles down. I am also sure in some areas it makes things worse, stressing the bees to beard and hang out instead of protecting comb. Ever see a beetle hanging out cause it's too hot in the hive?? Guessing not many of us thought that far out.
>
> Was parroting the right term?? Maybe, maybe not. Personally I get tired of so much of it going on, lots of experts who never really had a problem, tell you all the solutions. SHB seems to be one of those areas. Many will not have problems, or the problems will be minor and short lived, or their management slows them down. If I only had a few hives this would be no doubt less of an issue for me. I completely understand and accept that. I also know I have to get a handle on it. I cannot lose 10% every season to beetles, I need to stop that so as a real result, I am testing, calling and discussing with people in the US and AUS. Working on and testing prototypes and theories, at great personal expense.
>
> Most experts so far have been VERY dismissive, and several have commented to me about how upsetting that is. Someone gets up and says keep strong hives in full sun and they are a minor nuisance at best. Well I have given 2 presentations on SHB in the last 3 months, and can tell you in my area it’s a major topic. Best attended meetings, unfortunately I have no real solid answers to put out, but I try real hard to be clear on that point.
>
> I spent a lot of time pondering this, we have the same issue on any topic, from pesticides to Screened bottom boards and IPM. Anytime anyone puts out something that’s different from what we heard or think, instead of getting introspective, we get defensive. I despise that. 2 weeks ago Tony G Don and I spent time with a friend in OH shaking out bees for test and deadouts. The one thing we all had in common was respect for the amount of honey this guy runs. While Ron is trying to assure me its his area and I could never do that well, I assure him hes wrong, I just haven’t got it figured out yet. Tony And Don, agree, we still have a lot to learn, even given our status as large scale guys, and Master beekeepers.
>
>
> We have a choice here, I am sure Aaron can tell you there are a LOT of lurkers who read and never post. We can have discussion and debates for everyone's benefit, or we can pick at each other and keep those lurkers from wanting to add to the conversation. Personally I wish at times they would speak up. To do that, these have to be real discussions, not a bunch of people driving stakes in the ground and not considering other peoples observations. To do that we need to ask and respectfully challenge. Comments like "I hit the delete key" are just misplaced and ..... well you fill in the blank.
>
>
>
> Charles
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 13:08:50 -0500
> From: Kevin Gross <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: "Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2015"
>
> For those of you on the list who are 'in the loop’ so to speak, have you or anyone you may be aware of been successful in applying for and receiving grant money from what was allocated in last year’s bill?
>
> I am preparing to approach our leading agricultural university here in the state regarding the start of a project to examine what I believe to be a mite-surving feral metapopulation occurring in my area.
>
> The university has a department of "Entomology and Plant Pathology", but most of the focus there is on other agricultural concerns with no one really involved with honey bees.
>
> I'm thinking there may be a thesis or dissertation worthy project having economic ramifications which would involve taking a detailed look at the bees up here. I've already a couple of graduate degrees under my belt and not really interested in another. The hope is that someone in the department would sponsor a graduate student which would be more feasible if grant money were attainable.
>
> On the other hand taking on such a project might be a nice way to burn time during the retirement years which are around the corner for me.
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 15:56:38 -0400
> From: Cusick Farms <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Beetles, and lots of them!
>
> Just shooting from hip here, but I was planning on trying some insulated
> hives next year (I had good luck with a horizontal frame hive that had a 1
> inch foam board core.). I don't currently have any issues with beetles in
> my location (they're here but usually not a major problem), but most of the
> issues Charles mentioned with full sun should be mitigated with better
> insulation. I was hoping for an improvement in honey production, but seems
> all those problems sun poses with bearding etc should be alleviated.
> Anyone in beetle country tried styrofoam or other insulated hives?
>
> Jeremy
> West Michigan
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 16:37:01 -0400
> From: Peter Loring Borst <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Beetles, and lots of them!
>
>> Anytime anyone puts out something that’s different from what we heard or think, instead of getting introspective, we get defensive. I despise that. ... Ron is trying to assure me its his area and I could never do that well, I assure him hes wrong
> Hi all
> One of the main reasons I read Bee-L and participate is to have my thinking challenged. What would be the point of having a discussion where the main goal was to be in complete agreement? To me it's not just good answers I want but interesting questions.
>
> Here's something I read:
>
> We studied the spread of the newly introduced parasitic mite, Varma jacobsoni Oudemans, within California's population of the feral honey bee, Apis mellifera L., by examining worker bees taken from 208 colonies in 1990, 124 of which were examined again in 1993. The samples taken in 1990 did not contain V. jacobsoni mites. In 1993, 75% of the colonies examined in an area located near Sacramento, CA, no longer existed, and all surviving colonies were infested with V. jacobsoni. In an area located near the Californian central coast, 84% of the nest sites examined were occupied and few colonies contained detectable levels of V. jacobsoni. The probability of survival for colonies that have not survived a winter yet (founder colonies) has been previously reported to be low in areas with a temperate climate. Data collected in an area with a low level of Varroa mite infestation suggest that the probability of founder colony survival is higher in California with a mostly Mediterranean climate. The data collected in areas with a high level of Varroa mite infestation suggest that the parasite reduces the mean life span of feral honey bee colonies in California to between 6 mo and 1 yr.
>
> Kraus, B., & Page, R. E. (1995). Effect of Varroa jacobsoni (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) on feral Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in California. Environmental Entomology, 24(6), 1473-1480.
>
> PLB
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2016 00:23:49 +0000
> From: Mike S <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: "Natural Varroa mite-surviving Apis mellifera honeybee populations"
>
> In mite-surviving honeybee populations, have any of you noticed a "shotgun" type of brood area? A buddy of mine has some very strong hives that haven't been treated and going through the hives the 23rd of September we noticed that in the capped brood area there was a moderate shotgun appearance. We haven't sampled the bees yet to see what the mite population might be but the adult bee population seemed to be very robust that still contained some drones and some drone brood still in existence. Location is 1/2 way between Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama. Mike in LA
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> End of BEE-L Digest - 23 Sep 2016 to 24 Sep 2016 (#2016-242)
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>
--
Malcolm T. Sanford <http://apisenterprises.com>
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