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!!