Gerard P.Worrell Beekeeper with 25 colonies (410)257-3267 Dunkirk,MD USA Pres. Assoc. of Southern MD Beekeepers Life Member of Maryland State Beekeepers Assoc., VP for Calvert Co. This is something I posted to the newsgroup for those not getting sci.agriculture.beekeeping I'm interested in any comments on the subject. Gerard P.Worrell Beekeeper with 25 colonies (410)257-3267 Dunkirk,MD USA Pres. Assoc. of Southern MD Beekeepers Life member MD State Beekeepers Association,VP for Calvert Co. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 10 Oct 1995 12:57:08 -0400 From: Gerard Worrell <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Newgroups: sci.agriculture.beekeeping Subject: (fwd) Honeybees as the next Crop Dusters? I'd like to share an article from the DELMARVA Farmer (Easton MD) Newspaper of 9/5/95 and initiate some discussion on the impacts of the concept. This is the text intact: Mother Nature's 'Courier Service' Farmers are called upon all too often to defend themselves against allegations that modern agricultural practices violate the environment and that they're doing little if anything to clean up their act. By way of countering taht ignorance, we offer this. Crimson clover is an important host plant for the first generation of corn earworms which later attack corn, soybeans, cotton and other crops. There is a friendly virus (there are "good" viruses, too) which attacks the corn earworm larvae. Ag Scientists are getting the virus into the crimson clover fields by using honeybees as "couriers". They have patented a device that fits on the bottom of a standard beehive and "dusts" the honeybees with a virus- talc powder as they exit. As the bees buzz from flower to flower in the clover fields, the nuclear polyhedrosis and powder rub off their feet and legs and onto the blossoms. The ag researchers report that they have recorded corn earworm larvae kills of 74 to 87% in clover fields where the bees carried the virus. In control plots, the kill ranged from only 11 to 14 %. This is, simply one of literally hundreds of ways in which the ag industry continues to demonstrate that it is a vigilant and trusted friend of Mother Earth. [end of article] Discussion: 1. We have had a hell of a time getting something approved to help us keep our bees alive from the mites. Now someone comes along with a pesticide to deliberately contaminate our bees. What will that do to our efforts to sell a pure product? 2. The dust is on the outgoing bees.But had anyone tested the nectar and pollen coming in on returning forages to determine if we have contaminated our crop? 3. Apistan and menthol are used when there is no nectar flow so we don't contaminate the honey. This looks like it will be during the nectar flow. (Why would the bees visit without the nectar there!) You can be assured that we will be in a bind on pesticide free honey. I have already been asked at our farmers market if I use pesticide strips in my hives. The public does not care if we are taking the precautions on the label. The only interest is do we use them at all! Your thoughts and comments are welcome!!