On Tue, 29 Nov 1994, Kerry Clark 784-2225 fax (604) 784 2299 wrote:
 
>    A few points that have not emerged in the recent interesting
>    discussions:
>
>    Dr. H. Shimanuki reports that B.larvae collected from current (1993)
>    infected hives (U.S. I suppose, but I don't know how wide was the
>    sampling) was NOT more resistant to oxytetracycline, than B. larvae from
>    scales collected in 1924.
>    (it's no reason for undue complacency, but until other evidence is
>    presented, it's a measure of the current situation).
 
Most interesting - thanks for the info, Kerry.  It's real data like this
that enables to turn wondering into thinking.  BUT, As you say, it doesn't
mean we should stop looking for a better way.
 
>    There have been comments about EFB infected hives that didn't respond to
>    oxytetracycline. I had one like that many years ago, and after a
>    reasonable period of treatment (3 weeks) I thought I'd better destroy
>    this "resistant strain". I took a closer look and noticed that, although
>    there were still larval remains, there were no recently-dead larvae.
>    That didn't solve the dilema, but then I happened to pick up a swarm too
>    small for self-sufficiency, added it to the weakened EFB hive, and the
>    next day, there was no sign of the EFB. Down with non-hygienic stock!
 
We still aren't very good at breeding bees, are we?
 
Look at dogs, for example.  Who would think that a Pekinese was related to
an Irish wolfhound? Compare the draft horse to the thoroughbred. . .  and
then there are miniatures.
 
Compare beef cattle with dairy cattle.
 
>    The "When Bugs Fight Back" compendium of articles by Pullitzer prize
>    winner Mike Toner from the Atlanta Chronicle, makes some interesting and
>    perhaps justifiably alarming points. It's still journalism,( oops I
>    didn't mean that to sound disparaging, it's just that some tough digging
>    would be necessary to decide how alarmed one should be). The phone order
>    worked fine, there was no charge for the article. Thanks to Tom Sanford.
 
How, again, did you get the article?
 
I wonder if we can get the bees to become multi-queen (like the fire
ants)?
 
What did you think of James Bach's complaints about present day
stock:  the lack of retenue, running behavior, poor brood coverage,
etc????
 
I know he was talking about US stock, but I was impressed.  I've
been taking another look at my stock.  I confess I'm just finishing
wrapping (I usually finish Dec 10).  I've been looking at my bees.  They
sure vary.  Some have impressive qualities;  some are pathetic.
 
We've been raising our own queens - as previously discussed.  I like to
think the good ones are ours.  I don't know where the sad ones came from :)
We have marked everything, so next spring we'll count the dead and think.
 
When is the last time you saw a defined retinue?  I can't say, and I did
look through 400 hives for queens this spring.  Maybe I saw it and didn't
think about it, but I sure don't recall - consciously - seeing the textbook
retinues.  Does it matter?
 
We - with some trepidation - added some new stock this spring.  I bought
400 or so Auz queens - both black and yellow.  We had some introduction
problems, but the stock was quite pretty - The Italians were huge golden,
quiet bees. They seemed quite productive.  We'll see how they winter.
 
I think I'll have to try some of Jean Pierre's stock.  I wonder how it
will do out here in the windy west.
 
>    Allen: the woman who impressed you was Dr. Christine Peng from
>    U.California Davis. One of her points was that oxytetracycline has
>    sublethal effects on brood development (perhaps slightly lengthening the
>    development period). She had encouraging results against B. larvae, from
>    another antibiotic called tylosin. (Linoleic acid is also "waiting in
>    the wings" against AFB).
 
You are correct!  Thanks.  I've been trying to remember the name, She sure
was one of the most impressive speakers I've heard over the years.  And
that's not to take anything away from scores of other speakers and
thinkers that we are fortunate to have in this field, but I sure would
like to have the chance to hear her again soon.  She had the numbers and
data to answer questions that have had me wondering for decades.
 
>    Strategies for sustainable management of AFB and varroa (and other bee
>    diseases) could certainly use some more consideration, better sooner
>    than later.
 
I'm happy with the AFB controls we have now.  I'm much more concerned
about chalkbrood, which costs me tens of times more than AFB does, and
sacbrood.  Nosema is probably more of a problem than AFB too.
 
Mites are new to me and in a year, I'll tell you what I think about
formic acid and menthol and apistan.  If it's as easy to handle as AFB,
then I'm happy.  I don't think it'll be as cheap.
 
As far as 'sustainable' is concerned, I haven't really heard any convincing
arguements about how long our existing controls will (or won't) last:
your opening comments on AFB and tetracycline are interesting. I'm also
glad to hear we've got some backup against the 'neighbour's' disease.
 
Has anyone got a cure for chalkbrood?  When we do get one and learn to
depend on the extra income that chalkbrood is taking today, I suppose we'll
worry about how soon it will stop working.
 
IMHO The trouble is that we don't know what sustainable is. . .
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                      VE6CFK
Rural Route One, Swalwell,  Alberta  Canada  T0M 1Y0
Phone/Fax: 403 546 2588      Email: [log in to unmask]
 
P.S. As usual, this started out as a private email, but grew.  Quite few
have indicated they enjoy these notes, so I'll post it.