Mr. Hemmens :
 
I found the web page devoted to the Apilife VAR field trials to be very well
presented. There is another web site you may want to link to.  Unfortunately
I do not know the full web address.  I know it begins with
 
http://picol.cahe.wsu.edu
 
The page describes a grant application for an Apilife VAR treatment
conducted by Dr. W.S. Sheppard at Washington State.
 
I am glad to see that Apilife VAR is being tried outside of Italy and
Switzerland.  It is obvious that there is much yet that needs to be
understood about how to apply thymol-based acaricides, such as how to
achieve consistant control in larger volume colonies, but I think there is
much promise.  There is are interesting studies by Nicholas Calderone and
others that suggests that many plant essential oils (including thymol, and
camphor) are also very toxic to the vegetative growth of Bacillus larvae
(AFB) and Ascophera apis (chalkbrood).  Apilife VAR may very well contribute
to the health of colonies in more ways than one.  I am not sure enough has
been done investigating the lethal and sublethal effects of the Apilife VAR
components (I know of one study by Anton Imdorf that describes lab studies
testing the vapour of each oil seperately against mites and bees, but that
is all).
 
Keep up the good work
 
At 09:34 PM 7/6/97 +0000, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>Last year the Devon Apicultural Research Group undertook a trial of
>an Italian Varroa treatment,  based on Essential Oils,  called
>Apilife VAR.  A description and the results of the trial can be seen
>at -
>
>http://members.tripod.com/~DARGUK/home.htm
>
>I will be pleased to hear any comments or questions about the trial
>- thanks to those who have already done so.
>
>Best wishes
>
>Joe Hemmens
>
>
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