Enemies of the Hive - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Enemies of the Hive

First Lessons in Beekeeping

by Keith S.

Delaplane

Chapter 8

Honey Bee Disorders, Parasites, Predators and Nest InvadersSlide2

Honey Bee Disorders

Diseases

ParasitesNest InvadersPredatorsPesticidesIncompetent BeekeeperSlide3

Integrated Pest Management

The use of a variety of pest treatments such as genetic host resistance, cultural practices, beneficial organisms, and a minimum of toxic chemicals. As long as pest levels stay below the

treatment or economic threshold, it is not necessary to use toxic pesticides.Slide4

Treatment Threshold

For a given pest or crop system, the treatment threshold is the specific number, - a pest number, density or level of damage – that is acceptable

p 106Slide5

Diseases of Brood

American Foulbrood

European FoulbroodChalkbrood

SacbroodSlide6

Adult Diseases

Nosema

apisNosema

ceranae

VirusesSlide7

Parasitic Mites

Varroa destructor

Tracheal Acarapis

woodiSlide8

Scavengers

Wax Moth

Small Hive Beetle(Know how to distinguish between larva)Slide9

Predators

Bears

SkunksAntsHornetsBirdsMiceSlide10

American Foulbrood

Spore forming Bacterium

Paenibacillus Highly infectiousHighly destructiveAFB spores almost indestructibleNo economic threshold

Zero toleranceSlide11

American Foulbrood

Treatment

Burning the hive and bees is most common remedyNC has fumigation chamberSee your area bee inspectorTreatment – Terramycin

Only suppresses growth of spores, no cure -

There is no cureSlide12

American Foulbrood

Best way to distinguish AFB from EFB - ropy dead larvaSlide13

American Foulbrood

Irregular brood patternSlide14

European Foulbrood

Bacterium

Melissococcus plutoniusSymptoms similar to AFBLess virulentSlide15

Chalkbrood

Pathogenic fungus

Asocophaera apisDead white, chalky “Mummies”No treatment except IPMKeep hive dry and

well ventilatedPrevented through good management

Hygenic QueensSlide16

Sacbrood

Relatively minor and rare disease

Caused by virusNo remedial medicationDead larvae are flaccid, wateryLook like a Chinese slipperSlide17

Adult Diseases

Nosema

apis – most seriousSingle celled protozoan Nosema

apisRarely kills but triggers morbitiesReduced lifespan

Reduce productivityIncreased queen supercedure

Low populationSluggish Spring buildupSlide18

Nosema

apis

Treatment - antibotic Fumagilin BNosema

ceranaeMore of a recent problem in EuropeSlide19

Viruses

Kasmir

bee virusDeformed wing virusSymptoms - bees lose body hair, Movement is disorganizedTremblingNo known treatmentCull damaged brood combRequeen

Control varroa will reduce potential infectionSlide20

Parasitic Mites

Varroa

destructorSlide21

Tracheal Acarapis

woodiSlide22

Varroa Mites

Most damaging pest of US honey bee

Introduced in US in 1987 First found in NC in 1990Visible to human eyeCycle begins with female mite in open brood cell, preferably droneShe lays eggs – one male, several daughters

They mate, emergeSlide23

Varroa Mites

Effected bees suffer physical injury

Reduced blood volumeReduced longevityReduced productivityTypical infection occurs in late season (Fall)Hive weakened by

varroa succumbs to other pestsSlide24

Detection of Varroa

Mites

Sticky SheetPowdered Sugar ShakeSlide25

Treatment of Varroa

Mite

Apistan (fluvinate) –Check Mite (

coumoflous)Api

-life var (

thymol)Formic Acid Integrated Pest Management

Screened bottom boards Hygenic QueenSlide26

Tracheal Mite

Acarapis

woodiLong history of troubling the honey beeHas been around for more than a centuryFirst detected in NC in 1980Honey bee Act of 1922, a response

closed importation for 83 yearsSlide27

Characteristics of Tracheal Mite

Lives and reproduces in breathing tube

Young bees are preferredMicroscopicInfestation occurs in late winterOr early spring25% infestation is very damagingSlide28

Symptoms of Tracheal Mites

Bees will crawl in grass near hive entrance

Cannot form an effective winter clusterMost common symptom is an empty hiveK-wing syndromeSlide29

Treatment of Tracheal Mite

Menthol crystals

Mite – Away II, an absorbent pad with formic acid - Extender patty - vegetable oil and powders sugar – disrupts mite and is harmless to environment, or bee keeperSlide30

Nest Scavengers

Wax Moth Small Hive BeetleSlide31

Wax Moth Galleria

mellonella

An old foeAnd strangely, a friend, tooCleans out abandoned nests, spores rendering them clean for future useProblem occurs when wax moths take over weak hive

and destroy itSlide32

Damage by Wax MothSlide33

Wax Moth

Female enters hive,

usually at nightLays eggsLarvae emerge, eat protein litterSeeks a protected spotChews cavity in woodSpins silken cocoon and pupatesSlide34

Characteristics of Wax Moth

Moth activity in living colonies

Moth activity in stored equipmentMoths are secondary problem, not a primary problemMoth Problem usually traced to queenless colony or varroa mitesSlide35

Treatment for Moths

Paradichlorobenzene

in stored equip.Stack stored hives cross ways to allow light and ventilation (see p 128)RequeenControl Varroa mites

Use 9 frames in supers rather than 10Slide36

Wax Moth Larva

Compared with SHB Larva

Wax Moth Larva

SHB LarvaSlide37

Small Hive Beetle

Most recent pest

ScavengerNot a major threat to strong colonyCan quickly wipe out a weak colonyHas become a major problem in SE USFirst found in NC in 1998Slide38

Small Hive Beetle

Adult female lays

eggs in cavityLarvae emerge to eat honey, brood, protein litter and grow Larval is most damaging stageFrames become slimyLarvae exits hive to pupate in soilSlide39

Small Hive Beetle

Treatment threshold is 300 beetles according to

DelaplanePersonally, I think it is much less!Slide40

Treatment of Small Hive Beetle

Integrated Pest Management

Hygenic BeesSHB trapsHive tool smashSlide41

Predators

Bear

SkunkAntsHornetsBirdsPesticidesMiceSlide42

Non-infectious Disorders

Queenlessness

RobbingAgricultural PesticidesIncompetent BeekeeperSlide43

Good, Disease Free Brood PatternSlide44

Thought of an old beekeeper

“

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” Benjamin Franklin