Hi: Some members of this list have expressed interest in our electronic hives, equipped with bidirectional bee entrance counters, strain guages to measure weight changes, temperature and relative humidity probes in the brood chamber, and hot wire anemometers to measure air flow in the hive, and clock driven pollen traps. In addition, our hives are fitted with chemical sampling equipment for volatile chemicals in the hive atmospheres (sorption tubes and battery operated pumps). Descriptions of last year's model appear on our web page http://grizzly.umt.edu/biology/bees. Next week, we hope to conduct the annual migration from Montana to Maryland. The trip is 2500 miles - we made it both ways in mid-August last year. We will be carrying 21 electonic units containing nucleus colonies of bees, and an additional 16 nucleus colonies for additional chemical sampling. All of this is mounted on a 6x14 ft, dual axle trailer. All colonies are certified disease free and have been treated for mites. All units are sealed and bee tight. Ventilation is provide by a sysstem of screened louvres and electric fans. When on the highway, the fans are off, when stopped, we turn them on to provide additional air flow to the confined colonies. An electric pump and drip irrigation system provides water to the confined bees. We monitor hive temperatures as we travel and give the bees water when the core temperatures begin to climb. Moving bees across the U.S. in mid-summer is not my idea of a fun trip, but part of the proof of our concept is that we can deliver our environmental monitoring system anywhere, anytime. Last year we made the trip in 3 1/2 days. We carried 6 units to Maryland and returned three weeks later. Total loss for round trip, about 1 1/2 cup of dead bees per unit - with each unit containing 3-4 pounds of bees. Hopefully we do as well this year. I mention this to the list because of the interest expressed in our system. We will be pushing hard to get to MD a.s.a.p. However, we will be traveling through lots of states. Last year some folks met us at pull-offs from the highway to see and talk about what we have. We have also contemplated stopping for a day mid-way across the country to let the bees fly. 4 days is a long time to stay confined to a hive. Can't say when we will leave - but I am guessing Wednesday or Thursday. Arrival in MD early next week. Cheers Jerry Bromenshenk The University of Montana [log in to unmask] 406-243-5648