John Free did some very good work with Nasonov pheromone that, among
other things, attracts honey bee swarms. We have since modified his
procedures to make them simplier and more efficient. The lures we now
use are extremely efficient at attracting swarms (see J. Chem. Ecology
20:1053-56 (1994)). Below is my "one page" instructions on how to make
the lures. Specific questions are also answered in the copied section of
Jean-Marie original comments. If you have any questions, please send to
me directly as I am not on the bee-l (yet).
Justin Schmidt
SWARM TRAP PHEROMONE LURES
Background: Since about 1986 we have been testing various honey bee
swarm attracting pheromone lures and formulations. The current system we
have been using for several years works very well and appears ideal for
maximizing catch and reducing hassle.
Formulation: 1 part citral
1 part geraniol
1 part nerolic + geranic acids
Procedure: Mix equal volumes of the three pheromone components in a
small vial and withdraw 100 ul with a pipette or microsyringe and place
in a 400 ul polyethylene microcentrifuge tube (do not use polypropylene
as is made of high density polymer that is too hard to allow diffusion of
the pheromone through the tube wall). Close the cap of the tube. A
complete lure consists of two tubes enclosed in a small porous black
paper packet. Two tubes are used because they provide twice the
pheromone release rate and protect against possible failure of one tube
(cap pops off from heating-cooling changes in pressure, or a tube
cracks). The porous packet protects the tubes from accidental opening
and serves as a convenient means to thumb tack or place the lure inside a
swarm trap.
Sources of materials: (for informational purposes, not an endorsement)
citral and geraniol -- can be obtained from any of a variety of
chemical companies. We typically use Aldrich Chem. Co. (C8,300-7 at
$13.05 for 100 ml citral; 16,333-3 at $12.90 for 25 g geraniol; Tel.
1-800-558-9160, 414-273-3850). One disadvantage is that this company
will only sell to institutions or companies, not individuals.
nerolic + geranic acid -- we typically obtain it from Bedoukian
(#520 at $210 for 1000 g [smaller quantities available at higher prices];
Tel 203-792-8153). It appears that the ICN product is also the same, though
we have not yet confirmed that (#203711 at $52.90 for 100 g "geranic"
acid; Tel. 1-800-854-0530).
polyethylene microtubes -- can be obtained from several
companies. We typically use Bio-Rad (#223-9502 at $29.90 for 1000 of 400
ul PE tubes; Tel. 1-800-854-0530.
Comments:
1. Store pheromone lures in dark in refrigerator (tightly
sealed jar prevents odors) until use. Light and heat shorten field life.
2. Be sure to seal the microtube, or all pheromone will
evaporate in a few weeks. The slow release system acts on the same
principle as helium diffusing through the rubber of a balloon.
3. After a variety of trials we have found that 100 ul
pheromone per tube is best. Ten microliters only lasts 5-10 weeks,
whereas 100 ul lasts 6 - 12 months. Greater quantities seem unnecessary.
References:
1. Schmidt, J. O. and S. C. Thoenes. 1992. Criteria for nest
site selection in honey bees: preferences between pheromone attractants
and cavity shapes. Environ. Entomol. 21: 1130-33.
2. . 1990. Honey bee preferences among artificial nest
cavities. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Amer. 83: 271-74.
3. Schmidt, J. O. et al. 1989. Swarm traps. Amer. Bee J.
129: 468-71.
4. Schmidt, J. O. and S. C. Thoenes. 1987. Swarm traps for
survey and control of Africanized honey bees. Bull. Entomol. Soc. Amer.
33: 155-58.
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Justin O. Schmidt
USDA-ARS Carl Hayden Bee Research Center
2000 East Allen Rd., Tucson, Arizona 85719, U.S.A.
Office: 520 670-6380, extension 109 voicemail)
FAX: 520 670-6493
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
For Bee & Pollination information on the World Wide Web
Please visit us at http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 16:04:08
> Jean-Marie Van Dyck wrote:
> "What's he doing NOW?" = Nassanof pheromones lures.
>
> Hello All !
>
> I prepared my annual provision of tubes containing a Nassanof like
> compound. It's important to prepare this just at the moment you'll
> need it because it's volatile and instable.
> I used a part of the recipe that John B. Free described in his book
> Social Bee Pheromones, Chapman and Hall, eds, London
>
> The recipe for 10 tubes:
> * 1 ml n-hexane
> * 100 ug (= about 0.1 ml) Citral, mixed isomers (E + Z)
> * 100 ug (= about 0.1 ml) Geraniol
> * 100 ug mixed isomers (E+Z) Geranic acid and Nerolic acid
Comment: I don't recommend the hexane. Often the terpenes are not
soluble in the hexane and it just adds an unnecessary component that
might promote leaking
> As I don't find the last 2 acids, I'm obliged to work without them.
> Free said it works but not so well that its full formula.
>
Comment: The lures will work without the acids, but less well: 2 swarms
for the citral+geraniol vs 25 in the citral+geraniol+acids in direct
choice tests. This does not necessarily mean that the two alone are all
that bad (if the acid choice were missing), it just means that I have not
done the crossover design experiment to determine the true difference in
attractancy. See Environ. Entomol. 21:1130-33 (1992)
> Put 0.1 ml of the mixture in a small plastic tube (polyethylene or
> polypropylene) and close it. I'm using Eppendorf 1.5 ml tubes. A slight
> lemon like smell! Put the unused tubes in a 'small', 'well closed', 'glas'
> vessel and put it in the refrigerator or freezer to wait for their use
> time. Each closed tube is a Nassanof pheromone lure.
>
Comment: Beware of 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes as most are polypropylene or
high density (white) polyethylene and the pheromone cannot diffuse out of
these (unless the cap leaks).
> Geraniol and Citral can be supplied both at the "Sigma Chemical Co"
> St Louis or at the "Aldrich Co" or at the "ICN" Costa Mesa CA.
>
> BTW Does anyone know where it's possible to buy the 2 acids I don't
> find in my catalogs ? It's important because seems this compounds
> really increase the efficience of the mixture. TIA
Comment: See above -- Bedoukian
> Jean-Marie <[log in to unmask]>
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