I can think of several ways for the maps to be  "spotty" in the sourwood
areas, yet still not require falsification by inspectors. In fact, for the
maps to be totally "accurate", yet there still be SHB in those areas (at
some time of year, if not at all times).

Those who move to sourwood here never leave their bees over winter there,
due to the environment not being as suitable for overwintering or spring
build up (versus their home apiaries).  I would assume the same is true of
migratory beekeepers in the SC area.

To be on the map, a report of SHB is required. If there are no permanent
beekeepers there, the only ones to report are the migratory beekeepers. I
doubt many would do so if they already have SHB (after all, that would be
like calling an inspector to tell them they had varroa -- they know they
have it, what is there to report?).  If surveys of hives are done, it would
depend on both the time of year (are there hives there just for sourwood)
and registration of hives (do you register your sourwood locations?).  Until
a hobbyist in the area gets infected, reports seldom get filed. At least in
TN, several hobbyists have reported being infected with SHB while their bees
were on sourwood, but the beetles were not found until after they returned
(infecting more area at that point).

In other states however, hives are moved into more suitable terrain (in many
cases) and more are likely to have hobbyist hives within SHB's flying
distance.

Perhaps time of year also plays a part?  Can someone enlighten us as to the
most likely time of year for SHB spread?  If the larva go to ground to
pupate and come out after hives have left, how long can they survive in the
area if a new hive is not found?

Karen

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