Maine State Apiary Program - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Maine State Apiary Program

Jennifer Lund Maine State ApiculturistDepartment of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Division of Animal and Plant HealthEmail: jennifer.lund@maine.gov Office: 207-287-7562Cell: 207-441-5822Slide2

Apiary ProgramDepartment of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (1983)

Prevent the introduction and spread regulated honey bee diseases and parasitesundesirable genetic material Facilitate the movement of honey bees for crop pollination and honey productionSlide3

Apiculturist’s RoleLicense resident beekeepers Issue permits for the entry of migratory bees from other statesInspect resident and migratory honey bee colonies for regulated diseases and parasites

Educating beekeepers, growers, and the general public about bee keeping techniques and the value of honey bees to Maine agriculture (and native bees)Slide4

Apiary Registration

If you own hives in the state of Maine, by law you must register them with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and ForestryWhy register your hives?Disease managementAmerican FoulbroodAerial

applications

of

pesticides

Inspection

servicesSlide5
Slide6

AP

PLICATION FOR AP

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A

R

Y

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AT

£

Of'

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Addr t SS: Co unlv orRt s idt nc t : C it v/S t t t tfL ip: E m1 il: A re yo u int e r t !iftd in be ing u ll t d to c-oll ttl !!" 'a r ms in your aru ? ( Yu ) or (N o)In accordance with Tid e 7, MRSA, Section 2701, I hereby reporto,,11ership of __colonicsofbeeslnmy possess:ion on .f un t 15,1017.

No. ofCc,loait ,iC oun C) '(i( lliftr •• • .......... ,)O tyor Town(it diflr.... . .. _ ........,Ad dn 11s!it fl.' ....,, ... .. ......)Name of l'Topu ty0 -wnt r(i(diff•""' ,...._. , ,)

Tota l __Calulati nofL«i11ts Fu: The teesc:hcduk:is foundon the bacl:of this pa , the minimum n-1,?jsuatioo is:$2 .00 . Mal::echeck or money order payable to: ••T ru s un r, Statt of Ma i11e••, and return with form 10the abo\-.-c address.

Da t t

ttnd otsd .

SIJ!ia! t uu ofA•1 P l k 111tn _

N.o ofC oloni es .

C1• Rt por,ti -. Stnktfor2016 • (Su,p1lylni 1hb:lnformad-011,b ·o l:u nta.r, ')TOlal ponudso f bccswx:i , _

Toc,I llOUll dsof oorcy Avg.oblaiml p,r poWldofl ,ee,;w.i,.A, •g. priceobtained: - - - - No. of col0t1ici; rented for pollination,: ; : : ; : : : : : : : : : : : ; : : : : : : :A,•g. priceobtained for pollinauoncolony_ _ _ _ _ _ No. or h.l, •n IO!it pasl wh1tt.r Slide7

Contact an Inspector

If you suspect you have American foulbroodIf you are planning on moving hives to another state that requires an inspectionIf you are selling nucs, packages, colonies, or used equipment

Email will

receive

the

quickest

response

If

you

have

a

question

regarding

something

in

your hive snap a picture and send it via emailSlide8
Slide9
Slide10

Honey Bee NastiesSlide11

Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)Decision making process that uses a combination of techniques to suppress pests:Planning and managing to prevent organisms from becoming pestsIdentifying potential pest problemsMonitoring pest populations, beneficial organisms, pests, and environmental conditions

Using

injury

thresholds

to make

treatment

decisions

Reducing

pest

populations

to

acceptable

levels

using

strategies that may include a combination of biological, physical, cultural, mechanical, behavioral, and chemical controlsEvaluating the effectiveness of treatmentSlide12

Integrated Pest Management

(IPM)The goal of IPM is not to eradicate a pest but to hold potentially harmful species at tolerable levels.IPM seeks to maximize the use of naturally occurring pest controls (weather, disease agents, predators, parasites etc.).

IPM

utilizes

biological,

physical,

and chemical

controls

as

well

as

habitat

modification techniques.Slide13

Good Hygiene

Exercise caution with equipment of unknown historyClean any used equipment:Deep freeze (-20F) for 48 hoursScrape any wax, propolis, and other debris from the boxesDip in bleach solution or

scorch

**Never

use

old

frames

and

comb***

Never

open air

feed

honey

Never leave burr comb and hive scrapings about the apiarySlide14

Good Hygiene (con’t)

Store unused equipment under “bee tight” conditionsPrevents robbing and access by rodents, wax moths and small hive beetlesClean tools between hives during inspectionsScrape off any honey/ wax from tools and dip in a bleach solution

or

scorch

in

smoker

Never combine

sick,

collapsing

hives with

healthy

ones

Replace

old

black comb on a schedule with new foundationSlide15

Healthy Brood

Uniform appearanceFew interruptions in patternPearly whiteCappings convex, not perforated or greasyNo offensive odor**When these criteria are

not met, needs further inspection

and

evaluation

**Slide16

American Foulbrood

Bacteria: Paenibacillus larvaeLarvae ingest spores (0-3 DO)Spores germinate in the gutTwo part lifecycle:Vegetative: nourishment from the larva, dies after cell

capped

Dormant: produces

100s

of

millions of

spores

Spores

resistant

to

heat, desiccation,

and

coldViable for up to 80 yearsSlide17

AFB - Symptoms

Brood pattern: uneven or pepperedCappings: sunken, greasy, perforated, or darkenedRoping: at least ½ inch long when drawn out with a stickTonguesDark scales that are difficult to remove from

cells

Smell:

rotten

meat,

dirty socks,

sulfurSlide18

B

lac k Sca le Sunken CapsPerforated Caps:-- - TongueSlide19

AFB Management

Infection occurs wheninfected frames of honey or brood are moved between hivescontaminated equipment is usedrobbing and drift from infected coloniesIf left to run its course, all colonies infected with

AFB

will

die

from

the disease and will be

a

source

for

new

infectionSlide20

AFB Management

All infected colonies must be destroyedClose off entrancesDe-populate using insecticideBurn bees, brood, and combHive bodies and any appliances sterilized by scorchingSlide21

European Foulbrood

Bacteria: Melissococcus plutoniusInvades gut of the bee larvaeLarva feed on spores, longer susceptibility than for AFByoung larva dieold larva regurgitate, spreading infection to nurse

bees

Not

a

spore-forming

bacterium

cells

can

survive

several

months

on

wax

foundationSlide22

EFB Symptoms

Late springLarva:melted or deflatedbrown to yellowdislodged from their normal position in the cells; appear curled upwardstracheal tubes apparentdried out and rubbery brown

scale

Odorless

to

sour (dead

fish)

Dead

brood

has

a

watery

consistency,

sealed

brown pupae may exhibit a slightly ropy consistencySlide23

EFB – Stress Disease

EFB is highly contagious but infection may remain without visible signs for a long periodSudden outbreaks of disease can occur with added stress:nutritional deficienciesmoving hives

hive populated by

older

workers

(early

spring)Slide24

EFB Management

Re-queen (young queens more robust)Select disease-resistant breeding stockMaintain hive hygieneRegular replacement of combs to reduce the concentration of disease-causing organismsProvide good food

Shook

swarm

technique

Antibiotic

treatment

–

honey

contamination

and

resistant

strainsSlide25

Food and Drug Administration’s Veterinary

Feed DirectiveIntended to help slow bacteria antibiotic resistanceAnyone that feeds antibiotics to an animal (including honey bees) needs to have a veterinarian prescription.The two products that fall under this new rule are tylosin and oxytetracyclineSlide26

Foulbrood Lateral Flow DeviceSlide27

Chalkbrood

Fungus: Ascophaera apisSpores viable for 15 yearsReduces honey production, weakens hivesSymptoms– White to gray mummified larvae, in cells, on bottom board, and in front of hiveSlide28

Chalkbrood

TreatmentsNo registered chemicalsMove hive to sunny, dry areaAdd bees to strengthenRe-queen with hygienic queenKeep bees healthy (feed protein and syrup)

Remove infected

comb,

burnSlide29

Nosema spp

.Nosema apis and N. ceranaeMicrosporidia (fungus)Impairs the digestion of pollenDormant stage long livedresistant to temperature extremes and dehydration

Worker

bees become

infected

as

they

clean up

infected

feces

spores must

be

eaten

to

cause infection

infected bees do not attend or feed the queenSlide30

Nosema

apisCommon in the spring after periods of bad weatherSymptomsdiarrheabees unable to fly due to disjointed wingsdead bees in front of hivedistended

abdomen

workers

unable

to

sting

supersedure

of the

queenSlide31

Nosema

ceranaeHigher virulence than the N. apisSymptoms can arise anytime of yearSymptomsIntestine injurieslots of lesionsdigestive tract may appears whitish and

swollen

No

diarrhea

Often

no

outward

sign

of

diseaseSlide32

Nosema spp.

DiagnosisMicroscopic examination of the gut content and/or fecal matterWhole bees macerated in water and examined under a light microscopeNo morphological and structural differences N. apis and N. ceranae–

PCR

analysisSlide33

Nosema

spp. TreatmentAntibiotic Fumidil B (Aspergillus fumigatus)inhibits the spores reproducing in the ventriculus, but does not kill the spores.Limited evidence that this works for N. ceraneaSevere outbreaksget

rid

of

infected

comb

and

frames

disinfect

tools

clean

hive

bodiesSlide34

Viruses

Fragments of DNA or RNAAlter the DNA of host to produce more virusHost cells destroyedSlide35

Viruses

20+ viruses of honey bees have been identifiedSpread venerially, horizontally, and verticallyMostly persist naturally in colonies at low levels with no symptomsMost symptoms are genericVarroa mites

associationsSlide36

Viruses

No treatments for viruses**Antibiotics don’t work**Maintain strong coloniesRe-queen with resistant stockControl varroa mitesSlide37

Viruses

SacbroodDeformed WingBlack Queen CellIsrael Acute ParalysisAcute Bee ParalysisKashmir Bee VirusSlide38

Sacbrood Virus

First identified in the US in 1913Found globallyFound in both adults and larvaeNurse bees become infected when cleaning cellsVirus infects the hypophryngeal glandsWorkers infect pollen

stores

when making bee

breadSlide39

Sacbrood Virus

Disease is often seen in spring/early summerControlStrong well fed coloniesClean, uncontaminated foodRequeening may helpSlide40

Sacbrood Virus

No adult symptomsLarvaebecome darkened, eventually browndevelop leathery skinhead darkened and distendedeasily removed from cellencased in a

fluid filled

sac

fail

to

pupateSlide41

Sacbrood VirusSlide42

Deformed Wing Virus

Discovered 1991,Associated with and vectored by varroa miteWorldwideSlide43

Deformed Wing Virus

SymptomsYoung workers with twisted and wrinkled wingscrawling on the ground in front of the hiveSmall and discolored abdomensdie within 3 daysSlide44

Black Queen Cell Virus

Kills capped queen larvae and prepupaeInfected larvae turn black and the cell walls turn black/brownFound mostly in queen rearing facilities in spring and early summerSpread by nurse bees through feedingSlide45

Israel Acute Paralysis Virus

Associated with varroa miteFound in all life stagesSymptomstremblingdarkened bodieshairless bodiesparalysisdecreased

longevitySlide46

Acute Bee Paralysis Virus

Transmissionlarval jelly from asymptomatic infected adult beesvectored by varroa mites to larvae and pupaePupae infected with ABPV die before emergingDecline in emerging bees causes a

colony to

dwindle

Symptoms

inability

to

fly

hair

loss

trembling

reduced

lifespanSlide47

Kashmir Bee Virus

When fed to immature bees it does not cause infectionMore virulent when injected into the hemolymph (by varroa mites)Adult symptoms includeinability to flyhair loss

trembling

reduced

lifespanSlide48

Varroa Mites

Varroa destructorDiscovered in the United States in 1987, from SE AsiaSmall, red to brown, triangularFeed off the body fluids of adult, pupal and larval beesOne of the largest ectoparasite

to

host

relationshipSlide49

Varroa Mite – Phoretic

PhaseFemale mites pass from bee to bee as they walk past one anotherMove to un-infested colonies by bee driftMites feed between the abdominal segments and (occasionally) on thorax

Puncture

exoskeleton

and

feed

on

bee hemolymph and

fat

bodies

The

phoretic

period

If brood present - 4.5 to 11 daysNo brood - five to six monthsSlide50

Varroa Mites - Reproductive

PhaseFoundress mites leave the beeEnter an about to be capped cellMite submerge itself in the brood food, cell is cappedMite lays its first unfertilized egg which will develop into a male

mite

Then

lays fertilized

eggs

every 25

to

30

hours

From

egg

to

adult

mite

= six to seven daysAdult mite offspring mate with their siblingsThe average foundress mite producesOne offspring per worker cell she entersTwo offspring per drone cellMite populations can increase 12-fold in colonies having brood half of the year and 800-fold in colonies having brood year-roundSlide51

Varroa Mites

CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS FACING HONEY BEES!!Can carry and spread virusesIf left unchecked varroa mite will kill your hives

Most

problematic

when

bee

numbers

are

reduced

in

preparation

for

winter

poor

or late spring/summer forageSlide52
Slide53
Slide54
Slide55

Varroa mites -

InspectionA sampling device is needed in order to determine when a treatment is neededVisual inspections on adult and immature bees gives an index, not accurateAlcohol/Soap Roll300 adult

bees

(1/2 cup)

are collected

in

a

glass

jar

filled with

alcohol

Shake for

1

minute

Dump into pan and count mitesPowdered Sugar Shake300 bees collected in a jar, add 2 TBS powdered sugarShake for 1 minute, then let sit for 3-5Sugar shaken into pan and water addedCount mitesSlide56

Calculate the number

of mites per 100 bees– 300 bees with 15 mites has 5 mites per 100 bees or a 5% infestation rate (15 mites ÷ 300 bees = .05* 100 = 5%)A 3% infestation rate represents a

moderate

risk

of

mite damage/colony

loss and

may

require

treatment

A

5%

or

higher

mite

load requires immediate actionSlide57

Varroa mites -

InspectionSample your hivesDo not just treatSAMPLE YOUR HIVESVARROA MITE KILLS HIVESSAMPLE YOUR

HIVES!!!!Slide58

Varroa Mites –

PreventionRely on disruption of some aspect of the mites' lifecycleNot intended to eliminate all mites, keep at low levelsMethodsDrone brood sacrificeBrood interruption

Screened

bottom

boards

Re-queen

with

resistant stock

Varroa

Sensitive

Hygienic,

Russians,

Minnesota Hygienic, and

BuckfastSlide59

Varroa

Mites – InterventionApivar® (Amitraz)Impregnated plastic strip, direct contact42-56 days and no more than two times a yearIt cannot be used when bees are making

honey

Mite

resistance

Apiguard®

(Thymol)

Gel,

fumigant

Twice

at

a

two week

intervalLimited temperature rangeCannot be used when bees are making honeyApiLife Var® (Thymol, Camphor, Menthol, Eucalyptol Oil)Tablet, fumigantTwice for 7-10 days (with one tablet left for 12 days on the last treatment)Limited temperature rangeCan interfere with queen laying and kill brood?Slide60

Varroa

Mites – InterventionMite-Away Quick Strips® (Formic Acid)Impregnated strip, fumigant7 days with one month between applicationsCan be used during honey flows

At

high

temperatures

it

can

kill

brood

HopGuard II®

(Potassium

Salt

of Hops

Beta

Acids)Cardboard impregnated strip, direct contactFour weeks with a maximum of 3 treatments a yearCan be used during honey flowsOxalic Acid (Oxalic Acid Dihydrate)Sugar syrup drip or as a fumigant, direct contactThe sugar syrup drip is applied at a rate of 5ml between each frame, with a maximum dose of 50 ml per colonyThe fumigation rate is 1.0 g per brood chamberSlide61
Slide62

Tracheal Mites

Acarapis woodiIntroduced into the US in the mid 80s, via MexicoLive and reproduce in the tracheae of beesFeed on haemolymphCan only be seen and identified

under

a

microscope through

dissectionSlide63

Tracheal Mites

The female mite attaches 5–7 eggs to the tracheal wallsLarvae to adult = 11–15 daysMore than a hundred mites can populate the tracheaeMature female mites leave

the

tracheae,

climb out

on a

hair and

wait

for

a

new young

bee

Once

on

the

new bee, they will move into the airways and begin laying eggsSlide64
Slide65

Tracheal Mites

Grease pattiesMade from 1 part vegetable shortening mixed with 3–4 parts powdered sugarPlaced on the top bars of the hiveThe bees come to eat the sugar and pick up traces of shortening, which disrupts the

mite's

ability

to

identify

a

young

bee

Menthol

Vaporize

from

crystal

form

or

mixed into the grease pattiesTemps = 60°F or less, packets on top bars. If the temperature reachesTemps = 80°F, the packets on bottom boardCan not use during honey flowTen to twelve weeksSlide66
Slide67

Wax

MothGalleria melonellaMoth deposits eggs in cracks, eggs hatch and larvae eat wax, old bee parts, honey, etc.Signslarvae on bottomboardsilk trails

tunnels

in

comb

larval

frass

cocoonsSlide68

Wax Moths

Controlmaintain strong coloniesstore empty comb in cool placesfreeze lightly infested comb, burn heavily infested combkeep hives cleanchemicals - depend on stateSlide69

--

L,Slide70

Small Hive Beetle

Aethina tumidaIdentified in Florida (1998), from South AfricaFound throughout US and parts of Canada, mostly problematic in SESlide71

Small Hive Beetle

LifecycleFemales lay eggs in cracks and crevices (1000 in her lifetime)Eggs hatchLarvae feed on wax brood, pollen, etcPupate in the soil around the base of the

hiveSlide72

Small Hive Beetle

Beetles defecate in the honey and spoil itRotten orangesLarva burrow through the comb, weakening itDetectionVisual inspectionMonitoring

traps

Jailer

bees?Slide73

Small Hive Beetle

Controlmaintain strong coloniestraps availablesoil drench outside hive (permethrin)move infected hives away fro your apiaryextract honey as soon as removed

form

the

hiveSlide74
Slide75

USDA Bee Disease Diagnosis Lab

Samples received of adult bees and beeswax comb (with and without bee brood) are examined for:bacterial, fungal, and microsporidian diseasestwo species of parasitic mitesAmerican foulbrood samples can be screened for antibiotic

resistance

Do not

analyze

samples (bees,

wax

comb,

pollen,

etc.)

for

the

presence

of viruses or

pesticide

residueDo not distinguish between Nosema speciesDiagnostic reports are transmitted to the beekeeper, submitter of the samples, and to the apiary inspectorThere is no charge for this service.Slide76

USDA Bee Disease Diagnosis Lab

Include a short description of the problemAdult bees:100 bees (dying or that died recently). Do not send decayed bees.Bees should be placed in and soaked with 70% ethyl, methyl, or isopropyl alcohol as soon as possible after collection.

Just

prior

to

mailing samples,

pour

off

all

excess

alcohol

Do

NOT

send bees

dry

(without alcohol).Brood samples:2 x 2 inches and contain as much of the dead or discolored brood as possible. NO HONEYThe comb can be sent in a paper bag or loosely wrapped in a paper towel, newspaper, etc. AVOID wrappings such as plastic, aluminumfoil, waxed paper, tin, glass, etc. because they promote decomposition.Slide77

Mice, Skunks and

BearsOh my!Slide78

Mice and Shrews Destroy

HivesSlide79

Mice GuardsSlide80

Mice GuardSlide81

Skunks

(and Raccoons)At night skunks eat bees at the entrance of the hiveCan eat at a hive for hoursreduce adult forager bee populationsaggravate a hive

Signs

wads

of

chewed

bees

in

front

of

hive

grass

in

front

of

hive trampledscratch marks on woodenwareSolutionsraise hivenails in front of hivefencingtrappingSlide82
Slide83

BearsSlide84
Slide85
Slide86

AntsSlide87

Mouse

guardsFences for bearsStands, lye or traps for skunks and raccoonsMoats for antsEntrance reducersKeep hives strong!

Mice,

Skunks

and

BearsSlide88

Remember!!

If you think you have AFB CALL ME.Sample for mites!!Use only labeled products for cont

r

o

lli

n

g

p

e

s

ts

a

n

d

diseases. Off label use can be dangerous, ineffective, and illegal.Slide89

Remember!!

Everyone has an opinion on beekeeping – seriously EVERYONE.Don’t do crazy stuff – if you read something on the interwebs, make sure you see it at least three different (reputable) places.Peer reviewed, good research, references, and track record.

Blogs

and

forums

are

full of bad

information.

Use experienced

beekeepers.

They

are

a

wealth of

knowledge.If you have a question send me an email with a picture. I do not get texts so do not send pictures that way.Slide90

Most Importantly

Have Fun!!Slide91

Que

stions?Jennifer LundMaine State ApiculturistDepartment of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Division of Animal and Plant HealthEmail: jennifer.lund@maine.gov Office: 207-287-7562Cell: 207-441-5822