===================================================== B-MAIL A monthly newsletter on issues and events in the bee world, provided by IBRA, the world information service for bee science and beekeeping. Andrew Matheson, Director **April 1995** ===================================================== INFORMATION Recent discussion on some of the beekeeping newsgroups now available started me thinking about information sources; how abundant and how easily accessible they are. The topic under review was New Zealand's bee health status and bee health protection programme in relation to US imports. I don't want to get into that debate (at least, not now), but because I know something of the subject I was struck by the type of questions being aired. Where do you go, if you suddenly want to find out about a subject that's new or obscure, at least to you? Starting from scratch that's sometimes a hard question to answer. Using our BeeSearch service at IBRA's library, a simple search for the term 'New Zealand' in abstracts and titles from 1983-1994 produced 276 items. Obviously putting in a more specific request, such as for diseases, would generate a smaller but more focused bibliography. The strength of Apicultural Abstracts, on which BeeSearch is based, is that it covers so much material not covered elsewhere: industry journals and the so-called 'grey literature' which is otherwise impossible to find. And of course almost all the items are available from IBRA's library. Following the New Zealand theme, the BeeSearch enquiry would have thrown up really useful current reviews such as those listed below, which give you in one place a good analysis of the situation and a reference list for further searching. Occasionally it produces gems for people seeking comprehensive information, such as a bibliography. The message? There are good information services available, and even a simple and relatively inexpensive search can give an enquirer a good head start. Review articles, and especially bibliographies, can unlock a goldmine of further references. Discussion on any issue can take place on an informed basis - even for something as obscure (to some people!) as New Zealand. SOME REVIEW ARTICLES COVERING NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPING The numbers given at the end of references denote entries in Apicultural Abstracts. Diseases Reid, M (1988) Diseases of honey bees in New Zealand. Surveillance 15(5): 15-17. 1238L/89 Disease control Van Eaton, C (1992) New developments in the control of honey bee diseases in New Zealand. Surveillance 19(1): 8-9. 1255/93 Kiwifruit pollination Van Eaton, C (1992) Kiwifruit pollination and production. Gleanings in Bee Culture 120(9): 494-497. 1416/93 Bibliography Reid, G M et al. (1988) A bibliography of New Zealand apiculture 1842- 1986. 140 pages. GBP 10.00 plus postage from IBRA. 441/89 Review of industry Matheson, A (1992) Beekeeping: leading agricultural change in New Zealand. 32 pages. IBRA publication M123; GBP 3.75 plus postage from IBRA. 850/92 MITES ON THE MARCH Varroa has been discovered on an island in Torres Strait between Papua New Guinea and the Australian mainland, in feral colonies of Apis cerana. The island where the mites were found has been declared an infected area, along with two close neighbours, by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). These islands are Australian territory even though they are only a few kilometres from PNG; the Australian mainland, 150 km to the south, remains free of both the mite and Apis cerana. Varroa was first found in PNG in 1986 and is assumed to have spread from honey bee colonies moved to Irian Jaya (which shares the island of New Guinea with PNG) from other parts of Indonesia. AQIS has been monitoring the spread of varroa through PNG and Irian Jaya as part of a research programme, and also maintains strict controls on the movement of plants, animals and their products in Torres Strait. A 35-km stretch of open seas south of the infested islands provides a natural barrier to the further spread of the Asian hive bee. AND TRACHEAL MITES The tracheal mite Acarapis woodi has been detected in South Africa for the first time. This isn't too surprising in that the tracheal mite has been recorded from subequatorial Africa, and that knowledge of the bee health status of South Africa's neighbours is quite limited. However, this species has not been recorded from South Africa before, presumably despite past sampling. FREE UPDATE TO BEE HEALTH REPORT I published a comprehensive review of world bee health in Bee World in 1993, which is available for sale as a separate reprint from IBRA. An update was published in the first issue of Bee World for 1995, including new records for 48 territories. This update will be included free of charge with all copies of the original review from now on. 'World bee health report', IBRA publication M127, 37 pages. Now with 9 page supplement. GBP 4.25 plus postage, available from IBRA. AND MORE ON INFORMATION SERVICES There's been an explosion in information sources and discussion forums on the internet, as anyone who hasn't been on another planet for the past twelve months has noticed. No-one can hope to keep up with it all, but in B.mail I hope to feature some places you can go on the net that are interesting and informative. This month's offering comes courtesy of Adam Finklestein in Virginia, USA ([log in to unmask]), who is very active in promoting internet use for beekeepers. Adam has prepared a useful directory of internet resources relating to beekeeping in a set of FAQ (frequently asked questions). To get hold of the latest copy of the beekeeping FAQ go to the Worldwide Web page with URL: http://www/cis.ohio-state.edu:80/hypertext/faq/usenet/top.html Once here (using a web browser of course) look for beekeeping. The FAQ starts with 'sci.agriculture...' but is archived alphabetically under 'B' for beekeeping. You can also get this through ftp: FTP rtfm.mit.edu; log on anonymous, then cd to /pub/usenet/news.answers/beekeeping-faq. You can also FTP to: ftp.uu.net /usenet/news.answers/beekeeping-faq. If you can't use FTP, you may email for the faq to mail- [log in to unmask] Use no subject heading and in the body of the letter put: 'send usenet/news.answers/beekeepig-faq'. The beekeeping faq is posted every month to a number of usenet sites: news.answers, sci.answers, misc.answers, alt.answers, rec.answers, as well as sci.agriculture.beekeeping, misc.rural, alt.sustainable.agriculture, and rec.gardens. WWW And here's an interesting Worldwide Web URL that wasn't in the faq last time I looked: Stephen Buchmann at the USDA research station in Tucson, Arizona, has been responsible for setting up GEARS (Global Entomology Agricultural Research Server). It went online on 1 February 1995 and averages 1,500 to 2,000 file requests per day; and was recently selected as the hottest site (or is it the coolest site?) by Wired magazine. Visit GEARS at: http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/ LAST CALL FOR BEE CONSERVATION MEETING The symposium 'Conserving Europe's bees' is nearly upon us and on 6 and 7 April many of the active bee scientists in Europe, and a number from further afield, will be in London at what promises to be a very stimulating gathering. Places are still available, but you'll have to register fast to be sure of being able to take part. Contact [log in to unmask] I want to record my appreciation of the four session convenors who have worked with me in putting this together: Professor Ingrid Williams, IACR Rothamsted, UK (IBRA council chairman) Christopher O'Toole, University Museum, Oxford, UK (IBRA council member) Dr Stephen Buchmann, USDA-ARS, Tucson, USA Dr Paul Westrich, Institut fur Wildbienenkunde, Tuebingen, Germany. The symposium is being cohosted by the Linnean Society of London, Dr John Marsden, Executive Secretary. BUMBLE BEES FOR PLEASURE AND PROFIT Here's another meeting being organized by IBRA, this time not only on a scientific theme but with lots of good, practical information about bumble bees. It's designed for anyone who wants to make money or just learn about these fascinating beasts. Mark your diary for Saturday 23 September 1995 and plan to be in London, UK. The programme is given below, and we'll have registration forms available from IBRA really soon. Contact us for more information. Programme 0945-1015 Registration Chairman: Andrew Matheson, Director, International Bee Research Association 1015-1050 Why bumble bees are special Dr Sarah A. Corbet, Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, UK 1050-1125 Bumble bees in the countryside Dr Gary Fry, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, As, Norway 1125-1140 Discussion 1140-1200 Coffee break 1200-1245 Bumble bees at home and at school Dr Manja Kwak, Department of Plant Biology, University of Groningen, Netherlands 1245-1400 Lunch break Chairman: Dr Don Griffiths, Bunting Biological Control Ltd 1400-1435 Bumble bees as pollinators of crops and wild flowers Dr Ingrid Williams and Juliet Osborne, Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted, Harpenden, UK 1435-1510 Bumble bees as pollinators of glasshouse crops Dr Don Griffiths, Bunting Biological Control Ltd, Colchester, UK; Evert Robberts, Bunting Brinkman Bees BV, Tilburg, Netherlands 1510-1525 Discussion 1525-1545 Tea break 1545-1630 Commercial rearing of bumble bees Melanie Hughes, National Bee Unit, Central Science Laboratory, Luddington, UK 1630-1730 Exhibits and bar This programme was put together by Dr Sarah Corbet and Dr Don Griffiths, both members of IBRA's council, who have joined me on the organizing group for this event. WILD BEE NESTS The environmental group Greenpeace includes a nest box for wild bees in its UK catalogue. The clay box with different-sized 'reeds' as nesting tubes sells for GBP 22.25, or about USD 35. EXCELLENT BOOK ON BEEKEEPING WITH APIS CERANA In last month's B.mail I reviewed a pioneering book on beekeeping with Apis cerana; 'Beekeeping for honey production' by Dr R W K Punchihewa of Sri Lanka. This book is available from IBRA for GBP 17.50 (approximately USD 27) plus postage and packing at normal rates. IBRA DAY 1995 This year IBRA Day will be a huge event, as we are combining with the famous beekeeping open day put on by Hartpury College and the Gloucestershire Beekeepers' Association. Set aside Saturday 27 May for a good day out. Involved in moving beehives? Then the two IBRA lectures will have important advice for you. 'Go for the flow: fact and fiction about where bees do get their food'. How much do you know about nectar and pollen sources in Britain, and how much do you have to guess? Norman Carreck of Rothamsted can tell you about the most thorough survey of bee forage in this country for over 30 years. 'A night in the life of a commercial beekeeper'. Practical tips (and some tall tales) from someone who shifts bees for a living. John Cossburn from Hampshire shares some of his vast experience of moving hives for pollination, honey crops and wintering. The day has lots more, including the well-known auction of bees and beekeeping equipment, demonstrations from skep making to microscopy, and trade stands from equipment manufacturers and book stockists. There's plenty for the non-beekeeper to make it a family event, with many craft stands, cooking demonstrations and farm shops. The day kicks off at 10.30 sharp, and runs until about 17.00. Hartpury College is on the A417 between Gloucester and Ledbury, and the venue will be well signposted. See you there Andrew Return address: E.mail: [log in to unmask] Fax: (+44) 1222-665522 Telephone: (+44) 1222-372409 Snailmail: 18 North Road, Cardiff CF1 3DY, UK