Allen Dick <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>checked, and 'FGMO'. Fascinating stuff. Here is a sample:
>
>http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9701E&L=bee-l&P=R1018
>http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9707A&L=bee-l&P=R225
>
>--- My initial comments ---
>
>In looking over the report at
>http://www.beesource.com/pov/rodriguez/fgmo2001report.htm, I notice that the
>study actually uses oil fog AND treated cords. To quote, "The treatment
>consisted in applying food grade mineral oil vaporized (15 micron size
>particles) with a Burgess Propane Bug Killer and cotton cords coated with
>emulsified food grade mineral oil mixed with bees wax and honey:
>
>The experiment uses no controls. (Quote: "Since it is well known that
>untreated colonies die during the test period or soon thereafter,") As we
>are increasingly finding out nowadays, the assumption that all hives die
>without treatment is not universally true. Some hives maintain low mite
>loads indefinitely.
Hi to all.
As always, I am grateful to Allen for his fairness and honesty
regarding my work. My most sincere thanks to him and to those who
have supported FGMO research. Beekeeping will be the beneficiary in the long run.
Here are somen explantions to Allen's comments.
1. Tracheal mites. There is no mention of tracheal mites simply because there are no T-mites in these hives. It would be hard to make
reference to them in this report, there is no reason.
2. Number of trreatments.
Twice a month. Application of emulsion soaked cotton cords, and
FGMO fog. A two second burst of FGMO was applied every time. We found
that this amount of FGMO vapor was enough to place a considerable amount of vaporized oil within the entire hive. This was determined by opening
the top of the hive and actually seeing the vapor flow through the frames
and out of the hive.
3. FGMO build up. We have sent samples to state owned laboratories
for residues (admitedly a mistake) and have not obtained residue test
results. Samples for future projects will be sent to private operated
laboratories. We will include residue test results in this year's report.
4. Hive numbering.
The hives belong to a municipal goverment school. We felt obligated
to keep their equipment, location, numbering system "as is" so as not to
upset their system. We will be making appropriate changes in this aspect
this year. Yes, there were other hives in the yard but we did not have control over them.
5. Hive No. 2. Yes, this is mite drop counts. This hive did not
comform to standards at all. We believe that this hive lacks both
hygienic behavior and mite resistance. It is the only explanation for
its behavior when compared to the results of its neighbor hives. We are going to use this hive in this year's research to "prove/disprove" our
thoughts regarding lack of these very important genetic traits.
Half percentages. We thought that it would be important to show
these percentages, even tough this low, because it reflects the efficacy
of FGMO treatments. It did lower infestation levels that low.
6. Varroa d vs. Varroa j. This is considered a fortunate
finding since we notice definite behavior patterns among hives in the same
apiaries. Dr. Pilar de la Rua is an eminent researcher in DNA characterization, hence there is no doubt as to her findings. We plan to
continue our search for the presence of V. j, here, precisely because of
the difference in virulence between the two species. This no doubt will
widen our perspectives for 2002.
And yes, there will be control hives included even though we will have to dig into our personal funds a bit more for research funds.
Hopefully, other researchers may be encouraged to persue this
work with FGMO to possibly widen acceptability of its use.
Best regards.
Dr. Rodriguez
--
__________________________________________________________________
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/
|
