> >RE: RNAi Better understanding of mechanisms that lead to toxicity and > biosafety issues are essential before RNAi can become a practical > therapeutic. Important aspects related to toxicity that need consideration > include immune activation and off-target effects. Excellent points, Pete! With Remebee dsRNA, the colonies responded better to once a month treatment, than to once a week. Once a week appeared to "overload" them. >So, it does have some prophylactic effect? The results certainly suggest that it does, but in the trial that I ran, it did not prevent partial or complete collapse after a major artificial inoculation with the virus cocktail, coupled with cold weather. The tests this year should help to answer your question under "normal" conditions. The ideal test would be of one's worst yard, due to poor nutrition and possibly mites--those colonies that you suspect aren't going to make it through the winter. >And, to practice IPM, how does one know " the bees already have a low-level virus infection"? Dave Wick will run IVDS screens for $40 per sample. >Give us the short version of what remebee is made of (ingredients) and the application method if you would. It is made from double-stranded RNA sequences specific to the viruses targeted, similar (or the same) as those produced intracellularly by virus-infected bees. It is fed in syrup once a month just before onset of cold weather. Cost should be in line with other bee treatments. >Why do you let almond growers dictate the almond fee. Bob, they "dictated" $45 a few years ago. Do you really think that they are now "dictating" $175??? Or "dictating" $200 for the two-frame colonies that you reported in mid February last year? If that's dictation, then please let me be the stenographer! >Am I the only person which thinks an increase of four times in honey production ( has to increase pollination also in order to get the honey increase) is quite a claim? Bob, you are often the only person thinking a certain way, but in this case, both I and most anyone would agree with you. I would not have made that claim, although they could indeed pull it from the data. >Also *if* remebee or remebee pro is not intended *by the maker* for use on *healthy * bees then why the increase in honey production claims? Bob, do you believe every piece of ad copy??? The product only has potential to help colonies fight virus infection. If viruses are knocking off the field force, that hive is not going to make honey. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm