Randy said:

Dr. Raquel Martin-Hernandez found that entrance samples after noon
gave the highest counts.  I've confirmed by sampling colonies in short
order both at the entrance and from inside the lid or frames.  Much
higher counts from the entrance.  Far less chance of finding an
infected house bee.


Comments:

This is true in case of Nosema ceranae. However, in case of Nosema apis 
most of sampling is done from older foragers.  I agree with most of this 
discussion. However, before sampling a person needs to; 1) define the 
purpose of sampling, 2) what are you sampling for Maximum levels 
"Stratified sampling method" or random sampling for general idea, 3) what 
species of Nosema, etc.".  Secondly, sampling should go hand to hand with 
your economic threshold. So, you are using a standard system that can be 
used for comparisons and it should be compatible with the method used for 
determining the threshold. Sampling can be expensive. Economics will 
determine what needs to be done to do a good job in determining nosema 
levels with acceptable probability. We don't want a sampling system that 
costs more than treatments and does not count for risks associated with 
the study objectives. An expensive sampling system can also be a 
prohibitive practice for beekeepers. 

For Nosema as things have changed over the past few years, some places 
have N. ceranae with different biology. Other places continue to have N. 
apis. For example, in Alberta about 80% of found Nosema is N. apis. 
Therefore, sampling and epidemiology of the disease have to be researched 
to come up with a better model for sampling to determine nosema levels and 
thresholds that fit the region.

One last comment:

Nutrition is a great help for bees to recover, but the treatment of Nosema 
is essential to maintain healthy bees. Thus, healthy bees with better 
machinery to digest food will get benefits out of the feed. 


Medhat
 
Medhat Nasr, Ph. D.
Provincial Apiculturist
Crop Diversification Centre North

17507 Fort Road
Edmonton, AB, Canada T5Y 6H3
Tel: (780) 415-2314    Fax: (780) 422-6096
Mailto:[log in to unmask]

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