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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
tomas mozer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 6 May 2000 10:31:29 -0400
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see article on shb experiences in south africa in 4/00 issue of
"bee culture" magazine online at:

http://bee.airoot.com/beeculture/00apr/00apr4.html

..."Conversations were held with local beekeepers and bee researchers to
determine the extent of damage caused by A. tumida in South Africa and
measures that are taken to counter the beetle. Beekeepers in the Cape report
that the presence of damaging numbers of beetles in colonies is extremely
rare, and they believe that the local Cape honey bees control beetle numbers
below the economic threshold. In the opinion of the Cape beekeepers, this
control results from active aggression toward both the beetle adults and
beetle larvae by the bees, with common reports of bees physically removing
beetles from colonies. In the Cape, only colonies severely weakened by other
factors appear to be susceptible to A. tumida, and as such beekeepers do not
practice any beetle control measures. This is the situation throughout South
Africa, as Apis mellifera scutellata is reportedly even more vigorous in its
defense against the beetles."...
..."Breeding of the Cape bee in the United States is not an option, since
the Cape bee is not considered a desirable species. Efforts need to be made,
however, to further study and understand the active and successful defense
against small hive beetles by African honey bees, and then perhaps to select
similar attributes in bees in the United States. Such attributes may also
afford some protection against Varroa."

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