>
> I believe tht mites infesting the Orchard bees are primarily scavengers on
> the pollen balls in the nesting blocks.  I've read of the chlorine bleach
> treatment but it sounds very labor-intensive, hence, my research efforts.
> I'll keep you posted regarding results/observations.
 
        I have seen the teaming masses of mites devouring the pollen
balls, but have not seen them on the adult bees as you described.
I "gather" that you are using wood nesting blocks that can be opened?
Do you empty them later in the season and remove parasitized cells?
 
        Amitraz and Fluvalinate are used in honey bees for mite control.
This might be something to try.
        I will ask around to see if anyone around here has any
suggestions.  As for the chlorine bleach treatments, I would think that
if one went to the trouble to clean out the blocks and cells, the bleach
treatment wouldn't add that much more control.
>
        We haven't done much Osmia in three or four years, but we may
have an assistantship to try Osmia on cucumbers this year.
--
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| Stephen Bambara    NCSU-Entomology, Box 7626, Raleigh NC 27695-7626   |
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