FILENAME:  MAYAPIS.91
 
 
Florida Extension Beekeeping Newsletter
Apis--Apicultural Information and Issues (ISSN 0889-3764)
Volume 9, Number 5, May 1991
 
                          AFRICAN BEES
 
     The big news continues to be African honey bees.  Some 23
swarms have now been captured and destroyed, according to the
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).  With interception
of these, trap lines are being repositioned in Texas and more APHIS
personnel have been sent to the "front lines" to run the traps.
The Texas legislature is in the process of deciding whether or not
to spend some $197,000 on "combating the bees," according to one
press report.  Other interceptions are occurring at ports.  One
swarm was found aboard the Ecuadorian freighter, Ciudad de Quito.
Another has been reported in a Florida port on a ship from
Guatemala, but has not yet been confirmed as African.  Expect more
sightings in the future; they can only increase as swarming season
continues.
 
     Although the bees are far away from Florida, they are still
making a splash in the headlines.  The Fort Myers News Press ran a
couple of articles entitled:  "'Killer' honey bees near U.S.
Border," and "South Texas already feeling impact of 'killer bees'."
Mr. Gary Duke sent copies of the articles along with the notation
that they are making people a "little nervous" in the area.  Again,
expect this to continue.  There have been a few requests for the
new ENY 114, "Information on the African Honey Bee."  It will be
forthcoming to all county offices on CD ROM and will be placed on
the ONLINE facility of the IFAS Computer Network.
 
     Two pieces of evidence have been published recently
reconfirming the fact that the U.S. can look forward to a future
hybridized population of African-European stock.  Dr. Jose Villa
and colleagues showed that five of nine Africanized colonies, but
no European or Africanized-European crosses, died during a fairly
mild winter in Germany (Environmental Entomology, Vol. 20, April,
1991).  Africanized colonies also had higher worker attrition rates
over the period.  This suggests, according to the authors, a
possible reduction in adverse effects by the Africanized bee as its
range expands into the temperate U.S. and Canada.  It is also
thought that genes for wintering are "additive" and this will
permit separate levels of hybridization for different ecological
zones, complicating predictions on the bee's climatic limits.
 
     Another study by Dr. W. Sheppard and associates takes a closer
look at bee populations in Argentina (Nature, Vol. 349, Feb. 28,
1990).  The results tend to confirm that zones of African-derived
populations exist in northern Argentina, ranging from total African
saturation in the north to a mixed African-European zone, finally
to a total European area in the south.  This appears to also
confirm that limited hybridization occurs in the tropics. The study
used three analyses: mitochondrial DNA, morphological (physical
measurements), and other biochemicals called isozymes.  All bees
used in this study were from feral or wild colonies.
 
     The final word is not in yet on the hybridization issue,
however.  In the first study, out of necessity, only a few colonies
were used: nine Africanized, eight European and five Africanized-
European, a total of 22.  It is difficult to generalize what
happened to these specific colonies to any bee population as a
whole; this is an inherent problem in all bee research.  Even
though the population of African bees might be limited in northern
areas, an equal amount of reduction of the bee's "adverse effects"
cannot necessarily be taken for granted.  In the second study,  the
sample size was much higher and the authors are presently doing a
great deal more analysis on other finds.
 
     Both the studies rely principally on morphometrics to identify
which bees go in which group to begin with.  Dr. H. Daly, who
developed the technique, said in a recent interview in Science that
he is not sure that what is seen morphometrically is evidence of
hybridization.   The use of a variety of identification techniques
to further confirm these categories would have made a stronger
case.  Finally, no identification techniques have yet to be fully
correlated with behavior, which is really what concerns both the
beekeeping and general public.
 
     The results above tend to affirm information published over a
year ago in APIS (Vol. 8, No. 2, 1990):  "As the bees move north
into temperate regions, where European bees have advantages,
increasing amounts of hybridization should take place.  African
behavior among feral bees should become reduced.  European and
African bees will probably establish a hybrid boundary across the
southern U.S..."  Unfortunately, much of Florida is so subtropical
that there still exists a good probability of a feral African
population establishing itself in most of the state.  South Texas,
however, is in roughly the same category and thus, much can be
learned from that experience to apply to a possible Florida
scenario.
 
                        APITHERAPY LIVES
 
     Apitherapy, the use of bee products to promote health and
treat disease, is alive and well according to a letter from the
current directors of the American Apitherapy Society (AAS), Charles
Mraz and Bradford S. Weeks, M.D.  In January, 1991 both directors
were invited to France (expenses paid) to consult with that
country's equivalent of the National Institutes of Health.  The
meeting resulted in the funding of scientific study on bee venom in
France.  Interest by Belgium, Switzerland, China and Eastern Europe
followed.
 
     Although interest still lags in the U.S., some 200 health care
professionals offer venom therapy to patients around the country.
And, according to the directors, there is a ground swell at hand to
offer this kind of care to those suffering degenerative diseases.
One example given is that some 35 persons are receiving bee venom
treatment for multiple sclerosis in New England with positive
results.  The letter calls for those interested to join the Society
as a forum for communication.   The directors also state that the
Society provides strength in numbers to aid those who are engaging
in what remains an unconventional therapy.  Venom has traditionally
been emphasized in apitherapy, but conversation with Dr. Weeks
indicates that the other bee products are very much on the
Society's agenda.  The latest issue of BeeWell, the Society's
newsletter, for example, emphasizes medicinal uses of honey.
 
     Membership in the AAS entitles one to reduced tuition at the
Society's conferences, use of the Society's library, access to
audio and video tapes of prior conferences and workshops,
subscription to The Journal of the American Apitherapy Society, and
the Society's quarterly newsletter, BeeWell.  Membership dues are
$30.00.  For an application, contact the Society, P.O. Box 74,
North Hartland, VT 05052, ph 802/295-6383.
 
                     MORE ON FEEDING PROTEIN
 
     Dr. Eric Mussen, in the last issue of his newsletter, From the
UC Apiaries, University of California, made some remarks on my
discussion of the Florida protein feeding study in Bee Science I
reported on in the last issue of APIS.  According to Dr. Mussen,
California experience suggests that stimulating a large flush of
brood rearing when pollen is in short supply will take a heavy toll
on nurse bees, who must sacrifice their body reserves to rear new
bees.  He concludes that lack of varied, nutritious pollens in late
summer and fall is the largest contributing factor to colony loss
prior to spring.  Disease, parasites, predators and pesticides
simply compound the problem.  When the stresses are severe enough,
we lose the bees.
 
     A new product of Fleischman's Yeast, Inc. called Torutein (R)
CP Dried Yeast is being made available, Dr. Mussen says.  It
appears to be suitable for bee feed, because it is highly processed
(appropriate for human food) and relatively inexpensive.  He
suggests using it for about 25% of a pollen substitute/supplement.
The price per pound ranges from $.92 to $1.10 before shipping.  For
more information, contact Pure Culture Products, 10600 West Higgins
Rd., Suite 303, Rosemont, IL 60018, ph 800/443-1067.
 
               NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL HONEY BOARD
 
     Market research shows some interesting trends, according to
the Spring issue of National Honey Board Newsletter.  Supermarket
scanner data reveals overall pound sales of honey were down one
percent while dollar sales were up two percent.  Because the
industry experienced considerable growth in 1989 (a 9.9 percent
increase in retail sales), the leveling off was expected.  The
newsletter also reports a foodservice research study will be
completed in 1991.  To date foodservice operators perceive honey as
a value added product.  As an example, Church's Fried Chicken
replaced their regular biscuits with "Honey Butter Biscuits," in an
effort to improve sales.
 
     Finally, the newsletter reports that consumers love the
squeeze bear.  Sales data "bears" this out with a 25 percent
increase in these containers for 1990.  A new series of ads
featuring the squeeze bear was introduced in the fall of last year.
On occasion there has been criticism of the Board's activities.
They have been perceived as not helping the small-scale producer.
Here is at least one example where the Board's activities can make
an impact on any size honey retailer.  Putting up this year's crop
in bears instead of jars will take advantage of national
advertising funded by the Board.
 
     According to Dr. Roger Hoopingarner, editor of B-Plus, the
beekeeping report from Michigan State University, the 5-year
automatic reassessment of the National Honey Board comes up for a
vote this summer.  Dr. Hoopingarner says that to be fair, we must
look at the Board as losing two years of programming just to get
established.  He says the two- to two-and-a-half years of actual
work, however, have been imaginative and successful.  Surplus honey
is gone and prices are up.  Dr. Hoopingarner says a separate part
of the vote will be whether to retain the refund provision.  One
reason for this is that more and more refunds are requested each
year.  Some want to retain the freedom to ask for a refund.  No
matter how you feel, Dr. Hoopingarner concludes, your vote is
important.  Eligibility to vote will be determined on your past
payments/assessments under the Honey Research Promotion and
Consumer Information Order.
 
               RECYCLING NEWSPAPER AS SMOKER FUEL
 
     It's now known that the major product making its way into the
nations landfills is newspaper.  Recycling newsprint, therefore,
makes good sense.  A great deal of newspaper is made into other
products, but the supply usually outstrips the demand.  The
beekeeper can make a dent in this literal mountain of newspaper by
making some of it into smoker pulp.
 
     A recipe for smoker pulp was reported in a 1987 article in The
World of Bees and Honey, a newsletter written by Dr. E. Jaycox (now
retired).  Shred or tear the newspaper into a bucket of water and
soak for ten days, stirring until it becomes a mush.  Fill a pipe
with an inside diameter smaller than your smoker barrel with the
material and squeeze the water out with a plunger (capped pipe or
rolling pin).  Push the compacted pulp out of the pipe and let it
dry.
 
     Advantages of smoker pulp are that it provides a non-
irritating smoke with few tar deposits.  It also stays lighted well
and can be put out with water and reused.  A disadvantage is that
smoker pulp may be somewhat difficult to get started.  It is
recommended to use a blow torch, gas flame or a length of lighted
newspaper.  This difficulty, however, would appear to be more than
made up for by the beekeeper who now can say he/she further
conserves resources by acting locally while thinking globally.
 
                        ORGANIC LABELLING
 
     The Florida Organic Gardening and Food Law took effect
October, 1990.  According to the Florida Farm Bureau's
FloridaAgriculture, March, 1991, the purpose of the law was to
establish a "framework to protect consumers, producers and
retailers who desire to purchase, market or produce organic foods,"
and "to protect conventional agriculture and organic agriculture
against false labeling, misleading advertising, and fraudulent
practices in the market place."
 
     Under the law, the Organic Food Advisory Council, made up of
nine volunteers selected by the Commissioner of Agriculture, will
oversee selection of certifying agents, the article says.  In
essence this means products cannot be labeled "organic" unless
certified so by an agent.  The certifying agent will not be the
Department of Agriculture.  Rather, it will be one of several
independent third parties licensed by the Department of
Agriculture.
 
     It is acknowledged that the Florida Organic Gardening and Food
Law is primarily designed to protect the consuming public.
However, there will be benefits to growers, the article says,
quoting Alachua County Cooperative Extension Agent, Gary Brinen:
"The standards are better established (through the law), the rules
are better established and the marketing...If they grow
organically, they now know they are going to be protected because
only certified growers will be able to sell and label produce as
organic."
 
     The article concludes that consumers may begin to see "Florida
Certified Organic Produce" soon.  The law and application
guidelines must go through more legal "hoops" and a certification
logo is being developed.   Once these are in place, organizations
and individuals will be able to apply for certification.
 
     Although at first glance this appears to be an ideal program
for many honey marketers, it will not come cheap.  The cost of
yearly certification could range from $300 to $1000, depending on
circumstances.  Meeting the standards will also be difficult and
costly.  For example, it is instructive to look at a cross section
of the Organic Crop Improvement Association's 1991 standards for
bees and honey:
 
1.  Feeding Bees--feeding sugar except if starvation is imminent is
prohibited; only known certified honey can be fed.
2.  Disease Control--the use of Terramycin (R) is only permitted
for controlling American foulbrood; menthol may be used for
tracheal mites, but no antibiotics can be fed for European
foulbrood, nosema, chalkbrood or sacbrood.   The standards do not
say anything about using Apistan (R) or any other chemicals to
control Varroa.  Look for that to change.
3.  Foraging Areas--apiaries must be located in non-industrialized
areas where pesticides are not applied to commercial crops;
apiaries cannot be located within five (5) miles of garbage dumps,
landfills, contaminated water, golf courses or major traffic
polluting areas, and no closer than two (2) miles from major
townsites or cities.
4.  Beeswax--only pure beeswax of known origin is allowed.
5.  Honey Treatment--no chemicals can be used to remove bees from
supers; honey cannot be heated more than 95 degrees F.; the
extracting facility must be inspected once a year by federal food
inspectors; barrels must be of known origin, stored inside, new or
previously used in food storage.
6.  Honey Storage--honey may be stored a maximum of two (2) years
before sale as organic.
7.  Queen Rearing--cross breeding in encouraged as is rearing your
own queens; package bees can be purchased, but instrumental
insemination and killing colonies in the fall is prohibited.
8.  Method of Administering Antibiotics--antibiotics may only be
fed for immediate consumption in a pure pollen patty (no oil-based
extender patties allowed); dusting and feeding in syrup is
prohibited; use of antibiotics must be withdrawn at least one month
before the honey flow;  samples of first honey produced must be
analyzed for antibiotic residues by registered inspectors.
 
     It is emphasized that the above is not a comprehensive list of
standards.  Neither are these cast in concrete yet as other
potential certifying agents may see fit to modify or eliminate some
of the above provisions.  However, they do give the would-be
producer a hint of what might be required.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
 
Malcolm T. Sanford
0740 IFAS, Bldg 970
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0740