Latest News from Project Apis m.
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www.projectapism.org
Sept. 4, 2008
Welcome to the latest edition of the Project Apis
m. Newsletter
What is Project Apis m? A non-profit organization founded in
December 2006, Project Apis m is focused on finding practical solutions to
beekeepers' challenges by supporting practical, results-oriented in-field
research. PAm
brings together
representatives of the American Honey Producers Association (APHA), the American
Beekeeping Federation (ABF), the National Honey Board (NHB), California State
Beekeepers Association (CSBA), and California almond farmers.
PAm includes representatives from both the pollination
and crop production enterprises.
-
PAm is studying the movement of neonicotinoid insecticides into
pollen and nectar - - PAm is pleased to be associated with the
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and working with Dr. Kimberly
Stoner on field experiments on neonicotinoids. These insecticides, some of
the most widely used pesticides in the USA, are systemic and therefore
thought to translocate from seeds and the root system into other areas of
the plant. Dr. Stoner is evaluating how nectar and pollen are affected by
the active ingredient, timing, and method of application of neonicotinoids
in cucurbits, blueberries and cranberries. PAm also plans to evaluate
almond flower samples from imidacloprid-treated almonds during bloom, 2009.
-
PAm is assisting with funding for a Bee Diagnostics Center at WSU -
- In an effort to support bee laboratories capable of servicing the
needs of beekeepers, PAm has provided funds for a bee diagnostics center at
Washington State University, Pullman. Dr. Steve Sheppard is focusing on
determining mite and pathogen infestation levels in-field among Western
migratory operations. PAm’s funding will help determine N. ceranae
and N. apis spore counts throughout the year to evaluate seasonal
fluctuations and response to treatments. Tracheal and Varroa mite counts
will also be made.
Click here
for WSU’s bee lab.
- Follow a 4-Step Program for
keeping bees healthy - -
Dr. Marla Spivak, Apiculture and Social Insect Professor at UMN,
promotes a 4-Step Program to keep bees healthy. These four steps include:
1) Knowledge – know the clinical symptoms of bee diseases and
pests and their life cycle as they relate to honey bees, 2) Prevention
– how can YOU, the beekeeper, take control in areas where you can thwart
pest and disease transmission (i.e., replace combs, locate colonies in
remote areas, feed bees well in times of dearth), 3) Prevention
– what can BEES themselves do on their own to limit pest and disease
transmission (use bees selected for resistant traits), and 4) Control
– use chemical controls only as a last resort.
Click here for the UMN Bee Lab
- New virus discovery in US
honeybees - -
A new virus, Varroa Destructor Virus 1 (VDV-1) has been discovered in
a collaborative effort between the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC)
in Edgewood, MD, the University of Montana, Missoula, BVS, Inc. and Bee
Alert Technology, Inc. This virus was discovered
among bees in Europe in 2006. It is carried by both honey bees and varroa
mites. Discovery of the virus was made possible using the Integrated Virus
Detection System (IVDS) at ECBC in combination with proteomics and mass
spectrometry. PAm has made available funding for a recently placed
IVDS at BVS, Inc. in Montana, aimed at providing better virus detection
services for beekeepers. For more information on the IVDS virus screening
service and to send samples, contact Dave Wick at BVS, Inc. at (mrwick@bvs-inc.us).
- Mark your calendar for these
upcoming meetings - - October 16-18, 2008, joint Washington/Oregon
State Beekeepers Convention, Red Lion, Vancouver, WA; November 11-13, 2008,
California State Beekeepers Association, Harrah’s, Lake Tahoe; January
13-17, 2009, North American Beekeeping Conference, Nugget, Reno/Sparks.
-
Take
part in PAm’s research vision!
--
Make your donation now to Project Apis m, 1750 Dayton Rd., Chico, CA
95928. Have your growers and/or beekeepers match your contribution of $1/
hive to PAm. Why PAm? Because PAm funds bee research that is selected and
guided by beekeepers. PAm’s research efforts seek to find practical
solutions for managed colonies. PAm’s funding produces research results
that can be transferred efficiently into the day-to-day practices of
beekeepers. PAm is non-profit and has a low overhead.
Click here for more information
on PAm’s research program.
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Got News?
Please send us your news item to Christi Heintz
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Donations.
Suggested contribution: A buck a hive -
beekeeper and grower. Write this contribution for research into your pollination
contracts. Send your tax deductible contribution to:
Project Apis m.
1750 Dayton Rd.
Chico, CA 95928