APIS Volume 11, Number 6, June 1993
In this issue
- Florida Bee Research--Why Hybrids Fail?
- New Television Series--University of Georgia
- World's Largest African Bee?
- Thumbnail Sketch of U.S. Beekeeping
NEW FLORIDA RESEARCH--WHY HYBRIDS FAIL?
Anyone who has had experience with scientific research knows that results come slowly, only after a great deal of thought and work. Once the evidence is in, however, the patience and expense needed to gather it are often justified. This is certainly true at the University of Florida where research is revealing why hybrids in the tropics are more than likely to fail.
I last reported on Dr. Glenn Hall's studies analyzing honey bee DNA here at the University in the February 1990 issue of this newsletter. At that time, I said a controversy existed concerning the amount of hybridization occurring in the American tropics between the African and European honey bee, and Dr. Hall's studies indicated much less was happening than had been predicted because African bees were spreading as a result of swarming, not by African drones mating with European queens.
As I also said at that time, "...breeding programs in the tropics relying on European drones to 'dilute' African traits will not have much effect because (1) there are so few European queens to mate with, and (2) the African mother lines are continuing to produce numbers of African drones. Hybridization between European and African bees, therefore, is asymmetrical in the tropics, favoring African bees. This has been observed in all places so far colonized by African bees in the Americas."
The question as to why the few hybrids created in the tropics did not seem to persist captivated Dr. Hall. Thus, he teamed up with Arizona State University's Jon F. Harrison, an insect physiologist. Together they have provided the first solid data to show the African-European hybrids are at a disadvantage in their struggle for survival with the pure African variety. They measured the in-flight carbon dioxide output of 15 colonies of hybrids that Dr. Hall had established in Honduras with colleagues at the Escuela Agricola Panamericana. They also tested the African and European parent colonies for comparison.
The results show that African bees are "souped up"; they have higher metabolic capacities than European bees as predicted and observed. However, the hybrids' energy-producing capacities were not intermediate, as originally thought, but only equivalent to or lower than those of Europeans. The hybrids' lower metabolic rate may result in inferior flight performance or in other ways make them less adaptive in the tropics. Certain enzymes in the mitochondria, where the oxygen is used and energy produced, require mitochondrial genes that come just from the mother, as well as nuclear genes that come from both the mother and the father. Because African and European bees have been separated for many thousands of years, the components of these enzymes may not be perfectly compatible.
Drs. Hall and Harrison's evidence appears in the May 20th issue of the international journal, Nature, the same publication that published Dr. Hall's original findings on the spreading of African bees by swarming. This information further confirms the prediction and subsequent observations that two distinct populations of bees exist in areas being colonized by African bees. The population of European managed bees is constantly under threat of being Africanized by the another consisting of many wild African colonies. Because the African mother lines are intact, however, the reverse is not true; very few European queens manage to produce drones which will hybridize with African queens. In addition, this new information suggests that whatever hybrids are produced in the wild are at an extreme disadvantage and their survival is questionable.
From a practical standpoint this means that to continue managing European stock in tropical areas, beekeepers must consistently requeen with European queens which must come from outside the area under siege by African bees. To keep things in perspective, however, Dr. Hall suggests that some hybrids which are managed properly by beekeepers may actually be superior producers in certain situations. This may be analagous to the current situation where those investigating mite resistance in various strains of bees suggest that some tradeoff may be necessary to keep a balance, in effect substituting superior honey production for less vulnerability to parasitic mites.
NEW TELEVISION SERIES-UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Many readers of this publication are aware of the video series I did some time back (1977) on beekeeping. It was six half-hour programs produced at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, and was shown numerous times on Georgia Public Television. That series is history. Another has been produced by the new kid on the block, Dr. Keith Delaplane, now extension apiculturist at the University of Georgia.
I view this "takeover" with mixed emotions. Nobody likes to be superseded; I can empathize with many of those mature queens in beekeepers' colonies, suddenly replaced by vigorous, young, egg- laying machines. On the other hand, I was getting tired of seeing all my foibles preserved for eternity on television, including random repeats of catch phrases as I tried to think real time while on camera (editing was nonexistent then) and the failure to successfully light a smoker on the director's command. In addition, the series was dated by introduction of tracheal and Varroa bee mites into the U.S. in the 1980s, which now present large challenges to the modern beekeeper. So it will be good for all to see a fresh face, get new information and reflect on a different point of view about beekeeping. The folks in Georgia should be commended for supporting the craft of beekeeping with two large-scale video productions in the past two decades.
The new series, Honey Bees and Beekeeping: A Year in the Life of an Apiary, is currently running on Georgia Public Television. After its debut, it will be offered to other public television stations through SECA (Southern Educational Communications Association). Those interested in viewing it should get in touch with their local PBS station. A set of the videotapes for the eight programs will be available in July for the modest price of $59.95.
In addition to the video series, Dr. Delaplane has also authored a companion book with the same name. It is designed to accompany the programs, but also stands alone as an excellent reference for the beginning beekeeper. Some twelve chapters encompassing 138 pages with a large number of black and white photographs cover everything from why Dr. Delaplane is an apiculturist to his ten commandments of beekeeping. It costs $12.50. To order and for more information on the book or series, contact Bees, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
WORLD'S LARGEST AFRICAN BEE
The folks in Hidalgo are capitalizing Texas style on the fact that African bees were first found in their town. The Houston Chronicle on April 11, 1993 ran the headline: "Killer Bee Capital of the World--Too bee or not to bee?" The story continues:
"It's big. It's yellow and black. It's even anatomically correct. It's a $18,500, fiberglass-and-steel statue of a killer bee, and it's Hidalgo's shot at luring tourist swarms."
The article continues:
"We need to put Hidalgo on the map, said Mayor John David Franz, an attorney. Then, why not a killer bee? The statue was built by the FAST Corporation of Sparta, WI, which makes landmark and theme-park animals. FAST President Jerry Vettrus said the killer bee is a one-of-a-kind creation. Vettrus' compulsion for perfection drove him to ensure the big bee was an exact replica of the real thing. In the name of anatomical correctness, bee fans will note the big back feet face backward -- as they should."
After visiting Hidalgo in March, I can attest to the reality of this giant bee, standing taller than a person and some twenty feet in length! It is definitely a honey bee with four wings and extremely realistic compound eyes and antennae. However, its feet sport cloven hoofs, more in keeping with the ungulate population Texas is known for, than insects.
And what about the name? The article concludes: "Some thought Hidalgo's claim as 'killer bee' capital would scare away the town's winter Texans, or drivers of the 25,000 vehicles that pass through daily on their way into Mexico. But Joe Vera III, Chamber of Commerce president, refused to buzz off. It was 'killer' or nothing. 'Can you imagine trying to read a billboard advertising the World's Largest Africanized honeybee?' It may be working. The big bee made Paul Harvey's radio show. Its bug-eyed presence upstaged accordionist Myron Floren of The Lawrence Welk Show and country music heartthrob Johnny Rodriguez at a recent local festival. Not a day goes by when someone doesn't stop by to snap the bee's picture."
VIDEO ENHANCED BEEKEEPERS INSTITUTE
We are planning something different this year at the Beekeepers Institute at 4-H Camp Ocala. There will be more structured time and the program starts earlier than usual with a demonstration of tracheal mite dissection by Scott Yocom at 3:30 p.m., Friday, August 13. On the heels of this event, the informal fair will be replaced by a full-blown demonstration of instrumental insemination. Both of these demonstrations will be video enhanced, projected by video so that more people can see the procedures as they take place. Saturday's open hive demonstrations and evening events will emphasize queen rearing and breeding.
The publicity brochure which contains the program and specific information about registration procedure and costs will be mailed by late June. If you don't receive it by late July, please contact me for details. Late registration cut off is August 10. The fees remain the same ($85.00 per person includes room and board) except the one-day registration has been raised to $40.00. Finally, we are experimenting with some optional programming for children during the formal presentations, Saturday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Two choices are swimming and canoeing ($10.00 per hour per child, $40.00 minimum) and environmental education classes at $20.00 per child. We are asking for a good deal lead time on these to plan and advance registration payment. Should these activities not be held because of lack of attendance, fees will be refunded.
EAS AND WAS
The Eastern Apicultural Society (EAS) will meet at the University of Maine in Orno, August 2-6, 1993. EAS this year features a full-fledged beekeeping short course as well as traditional activities including the Master Beekeeper Program and honey show. Those interested in registering can contact me for a form or Tony Jadczak, State Apiarist, Maine Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry, Sta#28, Augusta, ME 04333, ph 207/287-3891.
The WAS, Western Apicultural Society will meet August 16-20, at Simon Frazier University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. This year's event features a half-day of field oriented workshops, a salmon barbecue and what has been billed as "bee olympics/dances with bees (bee beards)." There is a very early registration cutoff, June 30. For more information contact Conference Services, Halpern Centre, Simon Frazier University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6, ph 604/2914910, fax 604/291-3420.
URBAN POLLINATION
Realization that there is a lack of feral honey bees and thus, a marginal pollination potential in many urban areas because of Varroa mite predation, one Florida County Cooperative Extension office is working on a regional basis to remedy the situation. It soon will send out information to news outlets (Duval, Nassau, St. Johns, Putnam, and Clay counties) concerning an educational event to encourage bee-tending for pollination as opposed to beekeeping for honey production. If you are interested in this approach, please contact Mr. Raymond Zerba, Clay County Extension, P.O. Box 278, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043-0178, ph 904/284-6355.
DOWN UNDER
Two of the most progressive apicultural industries in the world are down under in New Zealand and Australia. So it is that Dr. Jim Tew, Extension Apiculturist, The Ohio State University is leading a tour of beekeepers this fall to the region, sponsored by the Citizen Ambassador Program. The proposed dates are October 22 through November 5. Estimated cost is $4650 which includes transportation, accommodations and most meals. For further information, contact Mr. D. Michael Rennaker, Director, Agricultural Projects, Citizen Ambassador Program, Dwight D. Eisenhower Bldg., Spokane, WA 99202, ph 509/534-0430. The last trip in this series was to China. Its success has led to the current proposal.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH
Here's a thumbnail sketch of the beekeeping industry in the United States provided by the American Beekeeping Federation. It was published by Dr. Jim Tew in the News Digest of the Ohio State Beekeepers Association, Spring 1993.
General Statistics:
- 125,000 beekeepers--located in every state
- 3.03 million colonies--operated by owners of five or more colonies
- Typical commercial operation--1500-2500 colonies
- About 600 beekeepers operate 1,000 or more colonies each; as a group these produce 75% of the U.S. honey crop
- Farm value of honey crop--$125 million
- U.S. honey consumption--1.1 pounds
- Employment--2,400 full time and 6,100 part time employees
- Added value (pollination) to 40 U.S. crops--$9.7 billion (1985 value)
Sources of Revenue:
- Honey production--$125 million
- Pollination rentals--$46 million
- Queens and packages--$27 million
- Hive products--$5 million
Malcolm T. Sanford
Bldg 970, Box 110620
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-0620
Phone (904) 392-1801, Ext. 143 FAX: 904-392-0190
INTERNET Address: MTS@GNV.IFAS.UFL.EDU
