tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66533571153452734292024-03-18T08:44:33.650-04:00bee surprisedless manipulation and more observation; backyard 8-frame beekeeping without chemicalsGeorge Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-55638276532398580712024-03-10T14:32:00.310-04:002024-03-18T08:43:59.990-04:00MABA swarm hotline<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7eypoRddij0rVE12VMjiibmm0A6k0d5BKLBrh_G0aVU76biuQcYCp-r4OlTZcUkV5HPYaAs9wEhmBOCGwbenTgwrhWDtgeDjZI3DxioJ8yND84PFLCPk3Et5ea3lZbv6Bv9VyGfPDnimSPMr-L1PsK-7al7nQeZioZpAdxhbTStUWZDdOSNeJcjaQNU/s1103/MABA%20swarm%20catch%20Mar%2010%202024%20-%20B.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,MABA,bee,swarm capture,swarm lure," border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7eypoRddij0rVE12VMjiibmm0A6k0d5BKLBrh_G0aVU76biuQcYCp-r4OlTZcUkV5HPYaAs9wEhmBOCGwbenTgwrhWDtgeDjZI3DxioJ8yND84PFLCPk3Et5ea3lZbv6Bv9VyGfPDnimSPMr-L1PsK-7al7nQeZioZpAdxhbTStUWZDdOSNeJcjaQNU/w480-h640/MABA%20swarm%20catch%20Mar%2010%202024%20-%20B.png" title="MABA swarm hotline" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NBcq_MzQ8KrSheytlW3WY6FdFKewsprfi2wVEtf4q_eSG6BP_5ZbmWcdh43AKQfLcv3lf0HStbn_nnDyaiOz7uGTUS7_DaOGjFdVbNDo8C3aRwkwY_4RA4BjWzSO8wtHpiuaWDUHZE4GxbJ67oHBW6-Kzz3mcfj8tNkMEl_3XeXWHD7mNZyTeE57abE/s1105/MABA%20swarm%20catch%20Mar%2010%202024%20-%20A.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,MABA,bee,swarm capture,swarm lure," border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NBcq_MzQ8KrSheytlW3WY6FdFKewsprfi2wVEtf4q_eSG6BP_5ZbmWcdh43AKQfLcv3lf0HStbn_nnDyaiOz7uGTUS7_DaOGjFdVbNDo8C3aRwkwY_4RA4BjWzSO8wtHpiuaWDUHZE4GxbJ67oHBW6-Kzz3mcfj8tNkMEl_3XeXWHD7mNZyTeE57abE/w478-h640/MABA%20swarm%20catch%20Mar%2010%202024%20-%20A.PNG" title="MABA swarm hotline" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMre8zdt-ixLxZBLVIgonfV2L5O-sGxWKXAhyphenhyphenHvOrES8tLmhiJHdgwRuHHZAf8OEfUr6a2JdJQx4ylM8URKBEzpVNB7r6QbDVJdO74pPvBqVcokWsatgv8slMrtrzCPoLQhTCxOVRjnIe6CH5gp_Lwcg57FxuRVYDssDbgtNC6nSJ4uFaebWvj0La0utg/s532/honey%20bee%20swarm%20hotline.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,MABA,bee,swarm capture,swarm lure," border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="532" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMre8zdt-ixLxZBLVIgonfV2L5O-sGxWKXAhyphenhyphenHvOrES8tLmhiJHdgwRuHHZAf8OEfUr6a2JdJQx4ylM8URKBEzpVNB7r6QbDVJdO74pPvBqVcokWsatgv8slMrtrzCPoLQhTCxOVRjnIe6CH5gp_Lwcg57FxuRVYDssDbgtNC6nSJ4uFaebWvj0La0utg/w400-h124/honey%20bee%20swarm%20hotline.png" title="MABA swarm hotline" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">For me, collecting swarms or attracting swarms to bait hives is the most exciting part of my beekeeping. Possibly making spring my favorite beekeeping season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday at 1PM I received a text from the MABA "swarm commander" - a homeowner has called the swarm hotline about a swarm in their yard. The best part of the text details...the swarm address is 3 miles away and the swarm is just a foot or two above the ground. I'm all in and arrive in the next half hour.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I strongly relate to E.O. Wilson's connection to nature as not outgrowing his childhood bug phase. Knowing everyone does not share this view, I consciously met the homeowner's insect concerns with lots of listening about the swarm of bees. The re-framing education moment comes next - I say "that huge ball hanging from the tree canopy is a wasp nest, these bees likely have their nest in a cavity, like a tree." </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago, I patched up and painted my old wood nucleus box. Wow, I'm ready for the swarm call-out, or so I thought. Good - my bee toolbox has a bag of gloves. Bad - the gloves are too small, too old - they split and I quickly gave up wearing gloves. The bees don't like the brushing or the hand attached to the yellow brush - my poor hand!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I added a swarm lure to the nucleus box entrance, brush, brush, brush again...and I'm nearly there. I leave the nucleus box for collection just before dusk, 7:30PM. So proud of myself to discover no bees returned to the trunk of the shrub. </div><p></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-92046183601500348182024-03-03T07:56:00.236-05:002024-03-10T11:41:41.483-04:00mason bee sex<div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdbxzUFNLC_YQ3ONVRxno3zAyaIjk9RNWM4CpH4ymbSC08U6wZDQj6BfW9MO2Un6EcDtjsgFIzesLx_5z81yambMzVAgM7b7zWgeE-MM7mqkB5gIKUJzYtUvFpa8B2YjSlKqA6QckU7aIBsq8dHBzWeC-pMuV3t7Dvwa0GQgH1C6xDeJlD1V9TiPcOdU/s2400/IMG_6774.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="native solitary bee,spring,perplexity,artificial intelligence,iPhone Visual Look Up,Perplexity AI, iNaturalist," border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="2400" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdbxzUFNLC_YQ3ONVRxno3zAyaIjk9RNWM4CpH4ymbSC08U6wZDQj6BfW9MO2Un6EcDtjsgFIzesLx_5z81yambMzVAgM7b7zWgeE-MM7mqkB5gIKUJzYtUvFpa8B2YjSlKqA6QckU7aIBsq8dHBzWeC-pMuV3t7Dvwa0GQgH1C6xDeJlD1V9TiPcOdU/w400-h385/IMG_6774.jpg" title="mason bee sex" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2SCPASqvJGhInnTpgmlUH0nycQS8IDWH5jznFQta4hvylv8n271zwyHOLy_9Mmw4c82rNG41rJCPmNlESDXxBTrz-ln_8fl4twx8-r_3NwFCN6kLoFV5Te3_vKxNnbdX3K7raCEI35l-bT3BFWcgVxLk1Ajf6a1csJU6oUO_xgOL81DpM_vQIb29L28/s1012/IMG_6761.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="native solitary bee,spring,perplexity,artificial intelligence,iPhone Visual Look Up,Perplexity AI, iNaturalist," border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2SCPASqvJGhInnTpgmlUH0nycQS8IDWH5jznFQta4hvylv8n271zwyHOLy_9Mmw4c82rNG41rJCPmNlESDXxBTrz-ln_8fl4twx8-r_3NwFCN6kLoFV5Te3_vKxNnbdX3K7raCEI35l-bT3BFWcgVxLk1Ajf6a1csJU6oUO_xgOL81DpM_vQIb29L28/s16000/IMG_6761.jpg" title="mason bee sex" /></a></div>I sent these backyard photos to a few computer vision tools with results ranging from wrong to interesting. I also asked questions using a conversational search engine about the size of male mason bees. <br /> <br /></div><b><a href="https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/visual-identify-objects-photos-videos-iph21c29a1cf/ios" target="_blank">iPhone Visual Look Up</a></b> is for identifying all objects (food, objects and living things too) in photos and videos on the iPhone. For these photos Visual Look Up produced wrong or slightly wrong answers - <i>Western Honey Bee and Osmia Rufa.</i><p><b><a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank">iNaturalist</a></b> is for recording observations of individual living things, particularly things that can be tied to a species name. iNat uses photos with a date, location, and crowdsourced identification. iNat's response to the last photo was <i>Genus Osmia</i> (139 native species of mason bee in North America). </p><p><b><a href="https://www.perplexity.ai/" target="_blank">Perplexity AI</a></b> is a conversational search engine that answers queries using natural language predictive text. Perplexity's response to, "<b><i>Are male mason bees smaller or larger than female mason bees</i></b>?" Click on the small numbers that link the response to a reference.<br /></p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i><span>Male mason bees are smaller than female mason bees.
Females are larger than males, with shorter, thicker antennae. Mason
bees are generally much smaller than honey bees or bumblebees, measuring
only about 1/4 inch long</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><a class="citation ml-xs inline" href="https://mason.bees.supply/about-bees/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="text-[0.60rem]">1</span></a></b></span></i></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i><span>This size difference is a notable characteristic of mason bees, with
males being noticeably smaller than females, typically around 7-15
millimeters long in most North American species</span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="whitespace-nowrap"><a class="citation ml-xs inline" href="https://crownbees.com/pages/mason-bee-characteristics-and-identification" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="text-[0.60rem]">3</span></a></span></span></b></i><br /></div><p></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-33541859893030831272024-02-19T19:48:00.090-05:002024-02-28T07:27:08.827-05:00winter-flowering ornamental cherry tree 2024<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLBgJ1hkg_AF-OIJV_rwTSDpMUinZbvntA_rY5bp2PkOjSjRGx8nb0UnBgAmau5V5xcdQLRnE9qW2CSAeYMMpbA9h5cMyoF3a-KDnSEhB61zfowxo3nzJVl7DzCF8W1dyUGvYH1DjvuAiUHuo3ouFFk2lVtJef-XXHrp1kRy-DLdMHjiE8yFdQCotJ38/s2281/IMG_6639-crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,winter-flowering cherry,spring,foraging," border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="1697" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLBgJ1hkg_AF-OIJV_rwTSDpMUinZbvntA_rY5bp2PkOjSjRGx8nb0UnBgAmau5V5xcdQLRnE9qW2CSAeYMMpbA9h5cMyoF3a-KDnSEhB61zfowxo3nzJVl7DzCF8W1dyUGvYH1DjvuAiUHuo3ouFFk2lVtJef-XXHrp1kRy-DLdMHjiE8yFdQCotJ38/w476-h640/IMG_6639-crop.jpg" title="winter-flowering ornamental cherry tree 2024" width="476" /></a> <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAawdgU9Ap7AbzN12uordPJuLC0SdRIigAd_fq9ftVb-4wSppPIxXUPQ1CtrUqtwU-xPGtknyA3P-LVUktVxJNmOOILdwdJGWtbp1FmyMNraCVoeduCRm_tjOwQtsYRvw_7L6JEmZtZSV4EyfRmoODyWCznm4kAMTe-PvTp7ELLnFQPjO4NLHkEx0iOgg/s2449/IMG_6635-crop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,winter-flowering cherry,spring,foraging," border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="1721" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAawdgU9Ap7AbzN12uordPJuLC0SdRIigAd_fq9ftVb-4wSppPIxXUPQ1CtrUqtwU-xPGtknyA3P-LVUktVxJNmOOILdwdJGWtbp1FmyMNraCVoeduCRm_tjOwQtsYRvw_7L6JEmZtZSV4EyfRmoODyWCznm4kAMTe-PvTp7ELLnFQPjO4NLHkEx0iOgg/w450-h640/IMG_6635-crop.jpg" title="winter-flowering ornamental cherry tree 2024" width="450" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Year after year, this tree has produced great bee photos foraging on winter-flowering cherry tree. The time was 2 PM, the temperature was 57°F (13.9°C), blue sky, sunshine, and a loud buzz of bees on this quiet street.</p><p style="text-align: left;">What's next? Crabapple trees (thanks to <a href="https://www.treesatlanta.org/resources/50-atlanta-trees/" target="_blank">Trees Atlanta)</a> are beginning to leaf-out and those flowers will be here soon and attracting honey bees too.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-30024147773375018722024-02-19T07:22:00.000-05:002024-02-19T07:22:36.091-05:00does the cluster provide insulation?<p></p><p>I discovered 2 interesting articles by Derek Mitchell (PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds), one is intended for a general honey bee audience, the other a hard-core engineering-science article. This blog post contains 2 images from those articles.<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://theconversation.com/honeybees-cluster-together-when-its-cold-but-weve-been-completely-wrong-about-why-218066" target="_blank">Honeybees cluster together when it’s cold – but we’ve been completely wrong about why</a></li><li><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488" target="_blank">Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink</a> <br /></li></ul><p> <b>Facts about bees wintering in thin-wall wood hives:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>bees move from the hive edges towards the center of the hive to form a cluster</li><li>as temperatures fall, the cluster shrinks - see the image from Derek's article<br /></li><li>the cluster core is hot compared to the cluster periphery. </li><li>bees in the core consume honey and keep bees in the periphery warm.</li><li>in extreme winter temperatures, bees on the periphery risk death by hypothermia</li><li>the cluster periphery is denser than the core</li></ul><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER798z5Uo_KcJh_8rufSBr2NMiePikIQGDkGcxSyzyOtEeonmfF_Bj7pDmdPRDsVn8WnPc95-Aop5cYJGzFjvqvovu29TziRfFVjrAv_av2_xh7ClU1E_zEeEuJyRIAt9P3CyeJxs5SBQBR-OCz1QDObo-YozbxJw3UnwV-l7ANe9vaGkn5kq9hPlFm0/s1678/rsif20230488f01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,winter,winter cluster,bee cozy," border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1678" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhER798z5Uo_KcJh_8rufSBr2NMiePikIQGDkGcxSyzyOtEeonmfF_Bj7pDmdPRDsVn8WnPc95-Aop5cYJGzFjvqvovu29TziRfFVjrAv_av2_xh7ClU1E_zEeEuJyRIAt9P3CyeJxs5SBQBR-OCz1QDObo-YozbxJw3UnwV-l7ANe9vaGkn5kq9hPlFm0/w400-h165/rsif20230488f01.jpg" title="does the cluster provide insulation?" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Derek writes, <b><i>"Since the early twentieth century, the outer layer (mantle) of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the winter cluster has been said to insulate the cluster core." </i> </b></span></p><p>A shrinking cluster increases density, reduces porosity, and increases heat loss. Here I'm using porosity to describe the amount of empty (air) space, or <b>porosity = empty space </b><b>÷ </b><b>total space</b>. Typically a thermal insulator reduces heat loss by trapping air and is therefore low in density. The higher density cluster periphery is not a thermal insulator - has never been a insulator. Beekeepers need not stress bees in extremely cold temperatures when insulation is readily available. </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>take a quick look in beekeeping catalogs and you'll discover flexible hive wraps - flexible wraps roll-up for easy storage and reusable next winter<br /></li><li>solid foam board insulation for home improvement is available for purchase or free as building waste</li></ul>Bees have evolved to live in trees (a nest with extremely thick wood walls) that provide real insulation - see the image from Derek's article. <b>To those protecting popular opinion, to the skeptic, to the frugal beekeeper, consider winter insulation using a side-by-side test.</b><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HFhqOA5IpiZXfG2Y7q93bd2UVr8Trt3FcgtwYBng3o3xQ_XwouvMO75QUH1c1NFqNIFbX1X2lXU_pEkYNB1-inl-uys15sk4xXe8FG5dV54ylxwEU7c5M2DVDat1iC9zvjvIL4pZ71jM7XP4_ZKoMxZ91yGghCWfDUtVQP9FUlunMGOsFuKT1dtqLf8/s758/The%20walls%20of%20commercial%20hives%20are%20thinner%20than%20the%20kind%20of%20cavities%20wild%20honeybees%20live%20in.%20Derek%20Mitchell.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,winter,winter cluster,bee cozy," border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="758" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HFhqOA5IpiZXfG2Y7q93bd2UVr8Trt3FcgtwYBng3o3xQ_XwouvMO75QUH1c1NFqNIFbX1X2lXU_pEkYNB1-inl-uys15sk4xXe8FG5dV54ylxwEU7c5M2DVDat1iC9zvjvIL4pZ71jM7XP4_ZKoMxZ91yGghCWfDUtVQP9FUlunMGOsFuKT1dtqLf8/w400-h326/The%20walls%20of%20commercial%20hives%20are%20thinner%20than%20the%20kind%20of%20cavities%20wild%20honeybees%20live%20in.%20Derek%20Mitchell.png" title="does the cluster provide insulation?" width="400" /></a></div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-77228481237322166432024-02-10T07:18:00.003-05:002024-02-18T15:53:51.982-05:00Winter Top Ventilation<p>If you turn to page 116 of Seeley's book The Lives of Bees, you'll find a reference to <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Lives_of_Bees/tc6MDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=derick%20m%20mitchell">Derek Mitchell</a> a PhD Candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds. With web-based searching, I discovered Derek's 2017 article in the American Bee Journal (Vol. 157 No. 8) <a href="https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/141140/5/honeybee_engineering.pdf">Honey Bee Engineering: Top Ventilation And Top Entrances</a>. The article illustrates that adding top ventilation significantly reduces humidity and the depth of the heat pool when compared to an uninsulated hive. Why? Warmer air is more buoyant and flows faster through the top vent.</p><p>Providing hive insulation in winter reduces bee-generated heat loss and this increases the temperature of the heat pool found at the top of the hive - see the image from Derek's article. I'm using the word heat pool as temperatures measured relative to the top of the hive -- I recognize, pool is commonly used with liquids that fill upwards from the bottom of containers. I currently use insulated hive wraps in winter and plan to close my top vent moving forward.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_oqKICJEZRnjv1y4uUJYKU8jNY8H2pIEiUPPrzf1WqctQKUZM3pY5r0AYQls8PwoZqy0JDq-KXbPaZpskftp_F1761nTUOJEE0tkqBJoxLoSpJpqc2ISlvb5WHwmNPmBmKmosYXx2nqGG-LbWijGTHRpuSyL0dpl4o_o5s2W2fNNGdB2Vb6B9Qllvtk/s2631/Derick%20Mitchell%20top%20vent%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,ventilation,winter,bee cozy," border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="2631" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_oqKICJEZRnjv1y4uUJYKU8jNY8H2pIEiUPPrzf1WqctQKUZM3pY5r0AYQls8PwoZqy0JDq-KXbPaZpskftp_F1761nTUOJEE0tkqBJoxLoSpJpqc2ISlvb5WHwmNPmBmKmosYXx2nqGG-LbWijGTHRpuSyL0dpl4o_o5s2W2fNNGdB2Vb6B9Qllvtk/w400-h56/Derick%20Mitchell%20top%20vent%202.png" title="Winter Top Ventilation" width="400" /></a></div>In email conversation, Derek recommends adding more hive insulation above the hive compared to the hive sides to discourage condensation from raining down on the bees.<p>Derek has simulated the heat flow of a winter bee cluster in a thin-walled wooden hive and compared those results with measurements collected by other researchers. I plan to discuss this article in an upcoming blog post.</p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-62227182421791048712023-09-22T20:36:00.041-04:002023-10-03T07:24:37.085-04:00nematodes as a biologic control<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSHoiV8r_s5xcbA4eK4eUrhqk1n5xTDLsBTTQnrL9sRO4LS-IiGohzGbpACrgbmYtIF3sgdqBm7R7KCvGRGPU0s2MYPcToMRn9VXBWKYbIEFTttUgXxrPD8TcKxl9S_D_SY0GjOG1WOzO-n27lFOSGkMwZ7Sf6rAe4wDr3c0dZRMnFwEJl7EPFBgI7Pk/s4032/IMG_5665.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,southeastern insecectories,bee,Small Hive Beetle,Beneficial Nematodes,climate," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSHoiV8r_s5xcbA4eK4eUrhqk1n5xTDLsBTTQnrL9sRO4LS-IiGohzGbpACrgbmYtIF3sgdqBm7R7KCvGRGPU0s2MYPcToMRn9VXBWKYbIEFTttUgXxrPD8TcKxl9S_D_SY0GjOG1WOzO-n27lFOSGkMwZ7Sf6rAe4wDr3c0dZRMnFwEJl7EPFBgI7Pk/w480-h640/IMG_5665.JPG" title="nematodes as a biologic control" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kz0eLrOCFQv8LUHdsgNcmGa_RBPT4gl4Kg_gUg_4DXC74SX5N4qZF371Ep-ZYsT3W8tXZ6MoN1Fi1xo2Koc4RJoIwnfIl7nPsDFZHYafxGzU1K7MIt4vFM53ZZBqWAe6MvP3Qm9ahlR82wRZPOC6siE0N-mf-MUTSVMxzDzz6HOINirnUq_ll1OLomU/s4032/IMG_7440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,southeastern insecectories,bee,Small Hive Beetle,Beneficial Nematodes,climate," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kz0eLrOCFQv8LUHdsgNcmGa_RBPT4gl4Kg_gUg_4DXC74SX5N4qZF371Ep-ZYsT3W8tXZ6MoN1Fi1xo2Koc4RJoIwnfIl7nPsDFZHYafxGzU1K7MIt4vFM53ZZBqWAe6MvP3Qm9ahlR82wRZPOC6siE0N-mf-MUTSVMxzDzz6HOINirnUq_ll1OLomU/w480-h640/IMG_7440.JPG" title="nematodes as a biologic control" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk6HRerL4WtkZAbA6BhhtKGHD-xadvNmQnfZqZ9nHuxpx6XN0xcHDyVJXm9J-8YZM5y8vWMMpW5I9xAUcbFFKgc1UyklyDbMi3WwO48f0rHJDn6ylIFOGxCosXICdtUBpv-Bvj8_vRY_IWZeaGFDGDw225_JbDdok8lDzAZPLj_mr9bBwDYZeiJtnulg/s4032/IMG_7465.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,southeastern insecectories,bee,Small Hive Beetle,Beneficial Nematodes,climate," border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdk6HRerL4WtkZAbA6BhhtKGHD-xadvNmQnfZqZ9nHuxpx6XN0xcHDyVJXm9J-8YZM5y8vWMMpW5I9xAUcbFFKgc1UyklyDbMi3WwO48f0rHJDn6ylIFOGxCosXICdtUBpv-Bvj8_vRY_IWZeaGFDGDw225_JbDdok8lDzAZPLj_mr9bBwDYZeiJtnulg/w400-h300/IMG_7465.JPG" title="nematodes as a biologic control" width="400" /></a></div><p>On December 24, 2022, Atlanta experienced a historic single digit 8°F (-13.3°C) <a href="https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ffc" target="_blank">minimal temperature</a>. This cold snap turned green ground cover brown and likely pushed small hive beetles (SHB) deeper into hives and compost piles. <br /></p><p>My bee yard has high shade, good soil moisture, and summer soil temperatures for SHB reproduction. I used biological control, <a href="http://www.southeasterninsectaries.com/small-hive-beetle-control.php" target="_blank">Beneficial nematodes</a>
(Heterorhabditis Indica), to treat the soil for SHB larvae. At dusk, I watered the liquid
nematode suspension onto the soil. Direct sunlight (UV light) is fatal to nematodes.</p><p>It's one thing to see and squash adult SHBs with my hive tool and another stranger thing to take a leap of faith releasing after dark<b> <a href="https://youtu.be/r0ObAjjdE6Q?si=vj7D_TgUJ186YoLV" target="_blank">'The Smallest Show on Earth' - Step Right Up! Step Right Up!</a> </b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Moved the insulated FedEx mailer with 2.5 million microscopic nematodes to the refrigerator. </li><li>Removed the leaf litter at the hive
locations and then wet the soil. </li><li>The next step was washing nematodes from gel transport material -
small gel pieces can clog the watering can. I used a large strainer with a fine mesh to remove and rinse the numerous gel pieces.</li><li>Added more water to the bucket and stirred it to keep the nematodes from settling to the bottom.</li><li>At dusk, I watered the biologic control onto the soil.</li></ul>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-87011595923020555792023-09-02T18:46:00.001-04:002023-09-05T19:06:17.453-04:00clean wax with slow cooker 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuanJC-4LH0wHOBVfnMIg1tzMtdvHtdQP6m0PjdQkReKbpQb0SkxISxLmybxEu5yxYag_jOznDGd-nTvWH-BbXBNOH3fRjCtAwub_pt9fZh3VR7zUNA6dBiWMuhgjbUEoWjpIEViPlOTNMlWUPNjodakjA2f1y365R0sz53KGJ5_7V6d7DiB-l0iW6Sak/s4032/IMG_5611.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,slow cooker,crush and strain,ChatGPT,wax," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuanJC-4LH0wHOBVfnMIg1tzMtdvHtdQP6m0PjdQkReKbpQb0SkxISxLmybxEu5yxYag_jOznDGd-nTvWH-BbXBNOH3fRjCtAwub_pt9fZh3VR7zUNA6dBiWMuhgjbUEoWjpIEViPlOTNMlWUPNjodakjA2f1y365R0sz53KGJ5_7V6d7DiB-l0iW6Sak/w480-h640/IMG_5611.JPG" title="clean wax with slow cooker 2023" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZvXCqaw2SMDNqdr4-qf1SnDW0sbIXWQqEdjfcLEUZIGj_PrZmRFnIC04kN3qroiqRax1iz_4ky7I6VZ1ubl8hL6lycc0AYyR3Lp_0m1k0Voe9AYOsULChuzBnXifr8wo9RHUY23i7ay-8wxZFWmH7AWrmCnx3cyM1QBYtEl4Gtd2uS2woZ-tRyJHlG8/s4032/IMG_5612.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,slow cooker,crush and strain,ChatGPT,wax," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZvXCqaw2SMDNqdr4-qf1SnDW0sbIXWQqEdjfcLEUZIGj_PrZmRFnIC04kN3qroiqRax1iz_4ky7I6VZ1ubl8hL6lycc0AYyR3Lp_0m1k0Voe9AYOsULChuzBnXifr8wo9RHUY23i7ay-8wxZFWmH7AWrmCnx3cyM1QBYtEl4Gtd2uS2woZ-tRyJHlG8/w480-h640/IMG_5612.JPG" title="clean wax with slow cooker 2023" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0zvJY1e30zR4woXWY9VDyQQCsYLew2nl6gqA0sb5kJ7IYSxK3Ea9Adugu0f623RYxM8kK6AXNCZdM0ZeHLY7EyvFXNsHXVaV1x0TG4fp4y6OqUQBtq1f7AUgeus9jJ5mCngZRlWiJc3Wu7hb13WaCPV56rrHPZqmWt5bXPVbZSJe3QoZ7bTwj7EoAYU/s4032/IMG_5613.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,slow cooker,crush and strain,ChatGPT,wax," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0zvJY1e30zR4woXWY9VDyQQCsYLew2nl6gqA0sb5kJ7IYSxK3Ea9Adugu0f623RYxM8kK6AXNCZdM0ZeHLY7EyvFXNsHXVaV1x0TG4fp4y6OqUQBtq1f7AUgeus9jJ5mCngZRlWiJc3Wu7hb13WaCPV56rrHPZqmWt5bXPVbZSJe3QoZ7bTwj7EoAYU/w480-h640/IMG_5613.JPG" title="clean wax with slow cooker 2023" width="480" /></a></div>I switched to a round slow cooker (crock pot) to clean the crushed honeycomb and this led me to simplify my crushed comb cleaning steps using a colander. <br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>crushed honeycomb -<a href="https://beesurprised.blogspot.com/2021/06/crush-and-strain-2021.html" target="_blank"> link for bee yard and kitchen activities </a><br /></li><li>after several days of straining, I rinsed the crushed comb in warm water</li><li>selected a colander of the same diameter as the round slow cooker lid</li><li>line colander with cotton fabric and I mounded with rinsed crushed comb </li><li>added lid and joined cotton fabric edges with 2 bull clips</li><li>removed the colander and added 1 cup of water and lid to the slow cooker</li><li>be safe and melt the wax outdoors</li><li>set slow cooker on high for 1 3/4 hours</li><li>turned off the slow cooker and let it cool undisturbed to room temperature with the lid on</li></ul><p><b><a href="https://chat.openai.com/auth/login" target="_blank">ChatGPT</a> generated haiku </b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Crush, strain, honey's flow,<br />Slow cooker's gentle embrace,<br />Clean comb's sweet glow.<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-12510510851270377062023-07-11T15:00:00.244-04:002023-07-23T09:01:25.071-04:00summer inspection of 2023 swarms<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnv6tn9U1Fr7IOfdwpAY-xdRaprh7T_Hzv5PGwNzvCKxU-1pXQc3cnd4l56-_eYZKSANTkMdCdV2zwu95d_QLACXRLWyL96dqmX_IO_oqrG1Q15wOkvXShknKoUqHKcJWZCO88M3Ozi9C68tJZkXcGfxHJo3VMVdtYXgAIthuNkdkb8TBRXTgActuSEM/s4032/IMG_5439.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,intestinal microbiota,probiotic,bee,ChatGPT,pesticide,propolis,swarm capture,swarm trap," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnv6tn9U1Fr7IOfdwpAY-xdRaprh7T_Hzv5PGwNzvCKxU-1pXQc3cnd4l56-_eYZKSANTkMdCdV2zwu95d_QLACXRLWyL96dqmX_IO_oqrG1Q15wOkvXShknKoUqHKcJWZCO88M3Ozi9C68tJZkXcGfxHJo3VMVdtYXgAIthuNkdkb8TBRXTgActuSEM/w480-h640/IMG_5439.JPG" title="summer inspection of 2023 swarms" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjG1cX_myNHsvh54eCWF_yemT3k07pi5sHwB5BPxTSXGakHG4LqHFoYEHFprwjUB32pdFMz7FoaeWaNN1hCosEOabsKGTPYF8osGo23gjCKKyE4lqWmLv3Av-OCL633qDBEhBw48vqt3YE61Y62HJeCNR9-PCpFDzI4SV6WdigrAR9P8xGoL-_YUycSo/s4032/IMG_5440.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,intestinal microbiota,probiotic,bee,ChatGPT,pesticide,propolis,swarm capture,swarm trap," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjG1cX_myNHsvh54eCWF_yemT3k07pi5sHwB5BPxTSXGakHG4LqHFoYEHFprwjUB32pdFMz7FoaeWaNN1hCosEOabsKGTPYF8osGo23gjCKKyE4lqWmLv3Av-OCL633qDBEhBw48vqt3YE61Y62HJeCNR9-PCpFDzI4SV6WdigrAR9P8xGoL-_YUycSo/w480-h640/IMG_5440.JPG" title="summer inspection of 2023 swarms" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Rr-OzV8TAFNhP7i1wjlMcZR7eaDMG9P9d8zU1_j6JwcDb1aWGvo1SZ6YrTSPFQC2hJN7AUQTed_NJanmgODb0hdr_dKw3lEdbshyw4yn4gJfzcRTHNBDseDY68c2dEp6TsXE3j_918qm8f5VIu3yrKsjfPcaIkkQT2CZ9RNxX9NNkWmAvgS-yrHiWE/s4032/IMG_5445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,intestinal microbiota,probiotic,bee,ChatGPT,pesticide,propolis,swarm capture,swarm trap," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2Rr-OzV8TAFNhP7i1wjlMcZR7eaDMG9P9d8zU1_j6JwcDb1aWGvo1SZ6YrTSPFQC2hJN7AUQTed_NJanmgODb0hdr_dKw3lEdbshyw4yn4gJfzcRTHNBDseDY68c2dEp6TsXE3j_918qm8f5VIu3yrKsjfPcaIkkQT2CZ9RNxX9NNkWmAvgS-yrHiWE/w480-h640/IMG_5445.JPG" title="summer inspection of 2023 swarms" width="480" /></a></div><p>This spring 3 swarms selected one of my 4 swarm traps as their <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Lives_of_Bees/tc6MDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=nest" target="_blank">nest cavity</a>. During summer heat, I waited for a cool dawn to inspect these swarms now moved into 8-frame hives. That cool morning arrived with 69 °F (20.6 °C) temperatures. </p><p>As usual, the preparation was longer than the actual inspection task that included lighting the smoker -- just in case 😉. I even remembered to take out the <a href="https://www.strongmicrobials.com/honeybee" target="_blank">SuperDFM</a> probiotic from the refrigerator. <br /></p>The bees did not take flight or behave defensively - the smoker was not used. <p></p><p>I added one tablespoon (15 ml) of probiotic to the top bars and workers moved to
gather this sweet treat - sucrose is the primary ingredient. The first iPhone photo has the best color balance and shows dramatic red <a href="https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/182451/SimoneFinstrom%20and%20Spivak%202010.pdf" target="_blank">propolis</a> on the top bars. The last 2 photos required correction as the brilliant white probiotic screwed up the iPhone color balance.</p><p>Vera and Slava (makers of SuperDFM) write,<i> "Multiple bacteria are
present in all nectars, pollens, propolis and the environment. Honey
bees need these bacteria to aid not only in digestion, but also to
improve immune response and combating stressors detrimental to their
health." </i><br /></p><p><b><a href="https://chat.openai.com/auth/login" target="_blank">ChatGPT</a> generated haiku </b></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Summer hive's embrace,<br />Dearth shadows, health blooms within,<br />Immune strength sustains.</p><p></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-86748736429859834722023-06-17T08:30:00.224-04:002023-06-22T09:04:41.411-04:00counting board debris<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOqP9_-ktIhgsm1Ygmv-9jTN5C8fWCpGS3_FIrKYQ4n6CrMD-tGr0nYaCB7i1bith09b0hhpqzGHLeaYrSjn8KGBLKaOYhWFn1niaVz9TOZSGBbDQ-NlgKqoOPL1-ujLkwTj92ls6qAFBUenQyOoWvAB4WN7U8Zx5QI7Gc-_-zxvSdyKKmhofH9idSBc/s4032/IMG_5359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ants,bee,counting board,Small Hive Beetle,pollen,debris,bee keeping,wax moth larvae,wax," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOqP9_-ktIhgsm1Ygmv-9jTN5C8fWCpGS3_FIrKYQ4n6CrMD-tGr0nYaCB7i1bith09b0hhpqzGHLeaYrSjn8KGBLKaOYhWFn1niaVz9TOZSGBbDQ-NlgKqoOPL1-ujLkwTj92ls6qAFBUenQyOoWvAB4WN7U8Zx5QI7Gc-_-zxvSdyKKmhofH9idSBc/w480-h640/IMG_5359.JPG" title="counting board debris" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwwjjBAO65auOoC83RVW5hBU5qIUP_cErtwgiiZ6hM1Y1GJjNaTHcWUQ64TC-Dxkpku7APM86H7EeAAzYw3th3N4atXJ3Jk1piPmuKbt2x6-pwjL3Tq4MXapZ3MmM0ZjxrkH78pTu8d6kUBYbckujd2g41CmcfBZEzUARkV99zX3LnkAa9Iutlwzfq9o/s4032/IMG_5362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ants,bee,counting board,Small Hive Beetle,pollen,debris,bee keeping,wax moth larvae,wax," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwwjjBAO65auOoC83RVW5hBU5qIUP_cErtwgiiZ6hM1Y1GJjNaTHcWUQ64TC-Dxkpku7APM86H7EeAAzYw3th3N4atXJ3Jk1piPmuKbt2x6-pwjL3Tq4MXapZ3MmM0ZjxrkH78pTu8d6kUBYbckujd2g41CmcfBZEzUARkV99zX3LnkAa9Iutlwzfq9o/w480-h640/IMG_5362.JPG" title="counting board debris" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeMltNgFXcdT6C8mx0hJNUyx8onSjAstWAeGHXKFYpT2uGL4y2DCvw_KMWLRtMGX6lrOFwl5r3tlgoFDD1yEUVg3_JZLHTlIebHvdyv9rkOLS7yS4LpHDl5yiR6GGylB2Yb7InKFQqwzjjdttFmlQOpTkbYpbbzTzA6vx5__2UH3R6x368BFu4uY6M-g/s2188/IMG_5373.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ants,bee,counting board,Small Hive Beetle,pollen,debris,bee keeping,wax moth larvae,wax," border="0" data-original-height="2188" data-original-width="1642" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeMltNgFXcdT6C8mx0hJNUyx8onSjAstWAeGHXKFYpT2uGL4y2DCvw_KMWLRtMGX6lrOFwl5r3tlgoFDD1yEUVg3_JZLHTlIebHvdyv9rkOLS7yS4LpHDl5yiR6GGylB2Yb7InKFQqwzjjdttFmlQOpTkbYpbbzTzA6vx5__2UH3R6x368BFu4uY6M-g/w480-h640/IMG_5373.JPG" title="counting board debris" width="480" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not a fan of leaving the counting board beneath the screen. However, for spring swarms I usually start with the board and remove it when entering warmer weather.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Budgeting time between my day job, gardening, dog walking, going to physical therapy, blah blah blah - Well, I left the board in place without inspection for too long - 77 days, what was I thinking?<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I tugged on the corrugated plastic sheet without success. I shared my why do I keep making my life difficult story with a friend, Michael Willis, who had a great idea - attach a strip of duct tape along the length of the plastic sheet for additional grip. If one duct tape strip is good, I thought to myself, let's try two duct tape strips, let's include a handle. No luck, the board would not move! In desperation, I pushed an 18-inch metal ruler beneath the screen a few times and was able to move, then pull out the board in one piece.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The debris consists of:<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>lots of beeswax and you guessed it, wax moth larvae</li><li>pollen</li><li>ants </li><li>small hive beetles</li></ul>The last photo was taken after discarding the fine debris with a screen. The wax scales/flakes look fabulous.</div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-81741305807604309662023-05-12T20:43:00.229-04:002023-05-16T09:44:20.316-04:00Swarm Trap - May 12th 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUptEOiagGGOVj6Nws7ockN7CAJBV_fezjTx_ZozyDGRBwkutvBsTTnm9kMzhtAuSqZrOq5umYHHGw7bwze-Y_olkEm28lMCp5nII4Gf4ONxpj1lKPNE2Pcs8ca62_dzMad6dceuDWPA9brctPHHKkZ6IDkYMbGjTWUk69wK2Sweyxj-WvmTIVotDC/s4032/IMG_5019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pail feeder,plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,Honey B Healthy,queen excluder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUptEOiagGGOVj6Nws7ockN7CAJBV_fezjTx_ZozyDGRBwkutvBsTTnm9kMzhtAuSqZrOq5umYHHGw7bwze-Y_olkEm28lMCp5nII4Gf4ONxpj1lKPNE2Pcs8ca62_dzMad6dceuDWPA9brctPHHKkZ6IDkYMbGjTWUk69wK2Sweyxj-WvmTIVotDC/w480-h640/IMG_5019.JPG" title="Swarm Trap - May 12th 2023" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVIiDlugD2gga_Bq5H-fXjGv69eumqGzo7lj1Tmi-RUvvnNSVkjw6OcNot3h7wOWzkMyG2e5aefjepOd7IFHROjOTCmyQ8T8q0JBLx3H4tqhLmfI3AffTZDahtPEhCW66Uw55Mq8HU_VvYLuLHs2a7z7E1GvWKVY6BB1dMbB1qy1bbBquo4T1pAH3/s4032/IMG_5022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pail feeder,plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,Honey B Healthy,queen excluder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVIiDlugD2gga_Bq5H-fXjGv69eumqGzo7lj1Tmi-RUvvnNSVkjw6OcNot3h7wOWzkMyG2e5aefjepOd7IFHROjOTCmyQ8T8q0JBLx3H4tqhLmfI3AffTZDahtPEhCW66Uw55Mq8HU_VvYLuLHs2a7z7E1GvWKVY6BB1dMbB1qy1bbBquo4T1pAH3/w480-h640/IMG_5022.JPG" title="Swarm Trap - May 12th 2023" width="480" /></a></div><p><b>On Friday, May 12th</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2:00 PM - active scouting at one swarm trap, zero scouting at other traps </li><li>3:00 PM - very active scouting at one swarm trap, zero scouting at other traps</li><li>6:24 PM - air is thick with bees</li><li>6:48 PM - the majority of bees settled on the outside of the swarm trap and began to move in</li><li>8:23 PM - <b><span style="background-color: black;">bees reversed and are on the outside of the trap</span></b></li></ul><p></p><p><b>On Saturday, May 13th</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>setup 8-frame deep box near the swarm trap; in the last photo, check out the homemade rectangular UV-reactive blue 8-frame entrance</li><li><b style="background-color: black;">add a queen excluder beneath the deep box</b></li><li>spray the bees with <a href="https://www.honeybhealthy.com/" target="_blank">sugar water</a></li><li>carefully lower the swarm trap</li><li>carefully walk the swarm trap to the deep box</li><li>spray the bees with sugar water</li><li>brush bees into the deep box</li><li>add frames</li><li>move the <a href="https://www.betterbee.com/images/Swarm_Catch_Instructions.pdf">pheromone lure</a> from the swarm trap to the landing board</li><li>add an inner cover and telescoping lid</li><li>after 2 hours, all the loose bees have reoriented to their new home</li></ul><p></p><p><b>On Sunday, May 14th</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>add a gallon pail feeder with 32 ounces of 1:1 syrup</li></ul><p></p><p><b>I'm guessing that</b> </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the swarm was hanging very close to their preferred swarm trap, and the scout bees ignored my other swarm traps<br /></li><li>this swarm contains more than 1 queen</li></ul>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-22987953361850504592023-04-04T18:08:00.130-04:002023-04-12T07:34:27.383-04:00moving swarm to 8-frame equipment<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46a4BssdmLS3U61IzzaSkjY9EBJvqNYsPT4fEnG1nXct_AbViRfGk2k0YUy7jkE90q3cPRQrEWza77ruVsjDv3SZHEFE784l18Gpu77YR_bULv_hnfwSSdSfzNx6UDhAf8Y20muoEdIKaklL954stZDWdNMBvF4v5604hIJbZdko8KeBkVPYnFwI_/s4032/IMG_6079.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,tulip poplar,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,pail feeder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46a4BssdmLS3U61IzzaSkjY9EBJvqNYsPT4fEnG1nXct_AbViRfGk2k0YUy7jkE90q3cPRQrEWza77ruVsjDv3SZHEFE784l18Gpu77YR_bULv_hnfwSSdSfzNx6UDhAf8Y20muoEdIKaklL954stZDWdNMBvF4v5604hIJbZdko8KeBkVPYnFwI_/w480-h640/IMG_6079.JPG" title="moving swarm to 8-frame equipment" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgTnlCtEkMYmBhn3FjTGrWYO6gdT0Xl_R1cG7A3XbFzA8EMNnpLCI6tzTe6vyP-AiBIqQvv3PrFyIVkg6AeMswUDwe6esjCy2NZdW6e2UkH07ecImSy5xKDyy2NDFMQbtgKGxMWzNB0N-bBdZOzFIajY7EwvZiBu6E4ZEkgUIUpX1jWaLNEOm-_A9/s4032/IMG_6093.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,tulip poplar,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,pail feeder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjgTnlCtEkMYmBhn3FjTGrWYO6gdT0Xl_R1cG7A3XbFzA8EMNnpLCI6tzTe6vyP-AiBIqQvv3PrFyIVkg6AeMswUDwe6esjCy2NZdW6e2UkH07ecImSy5xKDyy2NDFMQbtgKGxMWzNB0N-bBdZOzFIajY7EwvZiBu6E4ZEkgUIUpX1jWaLNEOm-_A9/w480-h640/IMG_6093.JPG" title="moving swarm to 8-frame equipment" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK8FVUPN0WzDYB3w9e9kBzYqMkDV5ycfLhkDkpiQHxg-DEwpphGVN3u1aCqlNdrsrsMe7OFQgvvnfb8lipnCRENBJmmJKZeiFIuzDQLIdTQ5lYqcH1v7BpL9wzsH4uVS2kNQLE7pVGpdeyt04VAlgcPCIEHCKzWfGGGzqRpIzdeUHnfojvg-MKEkF/s4032/IMG_6109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,tulip poplar,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,pail feeder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK8FVUPN0WzDYB3w9e9kBzYqMkDV5ycfLhkDkpiQHxg-DEwpphGVN3u1aCqlNdrsrsMe7OFQgvvnfb8lipnCRENBJmmJKZeiFIuzDQLIdTQ5lYqcH1v7BpL9wzsH4uVS2kNQLE7pVGpdeyt04VAlgcPCIEHCKzWfGGGzqRpIzdeUHnfojvg-MKEkF/w480-h640/IMG_6109.JPG" title="moving swarm to 8-frame equipment" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LDwLkeO4xou80ddM05T1HIzRssWveHcvCg-w7zAteOIxiw0q5izi8FkUP_6T1HdByqmnPnMTB119AqMXxXkB00NEmpVFuQlT6kIbDbb-6kTSdpMJfl3a7FnsEbkMiloJNdEy_G8BRCTFgfLwQJsSyduu4iHaYmhoKDdlGHj9MvY4wt9G1SJRpCl/s4032/IMG_6099.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="plastic starter strip,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm,tulip poplar,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,pail feeder," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3LDwLkeO4xou80ddM05T1HIzRssWveHcvCg-w7zAteOIxiw0q5izi8FkUP_6T1HdByqmnPnMTB119AqMXxXkB00NEmpVFuQlT6kIbDbb-6kTSdpMJfl3a7FnsEbkMiloJNdEy_G8BRCTFgfLwQJsSyduu4iHaYmhoKDdlGHj9MvY4wt9G1SJRpCl/w480-h640/IMG_6099.JPG" title="moving swarm to 8-frame equipment" width="480" /></a></div><p> </p><p>Today I moved the swarm to 8-frame equipment. In one week, all 5 frames had similar new comb construction on the <a href="https://www.betterbee.com/foundation/pps10.asp" target="_blank">plastic starter strips</a>. </p><p>I moved the <a href="https://www.betterbee.com/images/Swarm_Catch_Instructions.pdf" target="_blank">swarm lure</a> to the 8-frame landing board, and the remaining bees entered the 8-frame equipment in under 2 hours - I did not bump bees off the swarm trap. In the last photo, notice the homemade rectangular UV-reactive blue 8-frame entrance.<br /></p><p>The bees returned with <b><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-color: black;">cream-colored</span></span></b> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pollen_sources" target="_blank">Tulip Poplar pollen</a> and slowly consumed 1:1 syrup.</p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-41907010215204187322023-03-28T19:45:00.057-04:002023-03-30T08:41:53.275-04:00Swarm Trap - March 28th 2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqAIfHbaBGSqAUJLd5uzCVbEFceq1poj-mA_F6edWeFgORHZry4Exq9rHLIxeB-0Yh74ANBLFix3j9lpmm6uyZKcdAWDTGEbxnge-lN7sY0dmAjFbpG_KcuK5wW-4TR5BN4TultS84Z__OlrdypNPiNyYo09MKzcsxOmYrNDZgJWo9LDvHF-kr9Jp/s3036/IMG_4785.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scout bees,plastic starter strip,bee,swarm,swarm capture,swarm trap,bee keeping,swarm lure,UV-blue entrance" border="0" data-original-height="3036" data-original-width="2279" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqAIfHbaBGSqAUJLd5uzCVbEFceq1poj-mA_F6edWeFgORHZry4Exq9rHLIxeB-0Yh74ANBLFix3j9lpmm6uyZKcdAWDTGEbxnge-lN7sY0dmAjFbpG_KcuK5wW-4TR5BN4TultS84Z__OlrdypNPiNyYo09MKzcsxOmYrNDZgJWo9LDvHF-kr9Jp/w480-h640/IMG_4785.JPG" title="Swarm Trap - March 28th 2023" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The moment I've been waiting for! <br /></span></b></p><p></p><p>On February 20th, I set out two 40-liter swarm traps hanging from crepe
myrtle limbs.
Each swarm trap contains:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>5x deep frames with <a href="https://www.betterbee.com/foundation/pps10.asp" target="_blank">plastic starter strips</a></li><li><a href="https://www.api-tek.net/" target="_blank">UV-reactive blue swarm trap entrance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.betterbee.com/images/Swarm_Catch_Instructions.pdf" target="_blank">synthetically produced Nasonov pheromone</a> <br /></li></ul>In another 3 days, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=txMkdG9G5acC&q=scout+bee#v=snippet&q=scout%20bee&f=false" target="_blank">scout bees</a> visited the swarm traps. Though I waited for 33 more days before a swarm would select one of the swarm traps.<p></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-24794494699103159032023-03-24T08:09:00.066-04:002023-04-01T11:30:36.686-04:00tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspx15qu2ktXU0QnIQJN9pFmu2D9GDZfP9H4RPZ-7Es1XJM82ZZKb0WgBnQb33n6TCUmIJh9duTBJBuzAPaugOEb4wr9hEGw5K2o1UK1KRNjFVcHavtRu5AD-TA32Bmfaw_7ul9Z-sqx8-lhoIqxK7YwzcbpMKw_ZmbRHJQ-JmLFTGV6lhslx9qWzQ/s1074/noaa%20-%20mean%20temperature%20depatures%20from%20average%20-%20Dec%202022%20to%20Feb%202023.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tulip poplar,white clover,chinese wysteria,amur honeysuckle,spiderwort,dandelion,climate,winter,beekeeping," border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1074" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspx15qu2ktXU0QnIQJN9pFmu2D9GDZfP9H4RPZ-7Es1XJM82ZZKb0WgBnQb33n6TCUmIJh9duTBJBuzAPaugOEb4wr9hEGw5K2o1UK1KRNjFVcHavtRu5AD-TA32Bmfaw_7ul9Z-sqx8-lhoIqxK7YwzcbpMKw_ZmbRHJQ-JmLFTGV6lhslx9qWzQ/w400-h281/noaa%20-%20mean%20temperature%20depatures%20from%20average%20-%20Dec%202022%20to%20Feb%202023.PNG" title="tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '23" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1lCU-K5IbQH2E6DnsMWbftNh2v0IF3dpw1K4T7NwEinbOFj8S7mopKSWiRq6exhWn4WTkm8iP8P7PERWI_apxgT0_8YFJxPToMaOZPe15qyomXXzlyCIL3Fw5twcW1rVFS-TqYOhmspDjMi6sfrkE2hHiznRK3N9G1WjuiUeJC5nkVweQMYFbgP4/s971/noaa%20-%20mean%20temperature%20depatures%20from%20average%20-%20Feb%202023.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="tulip poplar,white clover,chinese wysteria,amur honeysuckle,spiderwort,dandelion,climate,winter,beekeeping," border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="971" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1lCU-K5IbQH2E6DnsMWbftNh2v0IF3dpw1K4T7NwEinbOFj8S7mopKSWiRq6exhWn4WTkm8iP8P7PERWI_apxgT0_8YFJxPToMaOZPe15qyomXXzlyCIL3Fw5twcW1rVFS-TqYOhmspDjMi6sfrkE2hHiznRK3N9G1WjuiUeJC5nkVweQMYFbgP4/w400-h294/noaa%20-%20mean%20temperature%20depatures%20from%20average%20-%20Feb%202023.PNG" title="tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '23" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://www.noaa.gov/news/february-2023-was-earths-4th-warmest-on-record" target="_blank">NOAA headlines</a><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>February 2023 was Earth’s 4th warmest on record</li><li>Europe saw its second-warmest winter as global sea ice set a new record low</li></ul><p>I found this year's first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pollen_sources">Tulip Popular flower</a> windfall 16 days earlier than expected. This early arrival was most likely driven by weather/climate. My observation biases that might undermine the hypothesis:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I'm better at spotting windfall flowers</li><li>more time spent outdoors and less time commuting to work<br /></li></ul>Other nectar sources at this time (not shown):<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.gardenia.net/guide/how-to-choose-the-right-wisteria" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chinese Wysteria</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (invasive)<br /></span></li><li><a href="https://bees.msu.edu/white-clover/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">White Clover</span></a></li><li><a href="https://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/sceppc/publications/TradescantiaArticleSCNLA.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Spiderwort</span></a></li><li><a href="https://extension.psu.edu/shrub-honeysuckles" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Amur Honeysuckle</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (invasive)</span></li><li><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum" target="_blank">Dandelion</a></span></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><style type="text/css">
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>1st Windfall</th><th>day of year</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>April 10, 2011</td><td>100</td></tr>
<tr><td>March 27, 2012</td><td>87</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 19, 2013</td><td>109</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 12, 2015</td><td>102</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 15, 2017</td><td>105</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 5, 2018</td><td>95</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 11, 2019</td><td>101</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 7, 2021</td><td>97</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 6, 2022</td><td>96</td></tr>
<tr><td>March 24, 2023</td><td>83</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>median</td><td>99</td></tr>
</tbody></table>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-1046391856170424472023-03-06T10:56:00.214-05:002023-03-19T17:02:03.866-04:00scout bees at swarm trap 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhcHEskCDxA3TxbszBQQwVJOVht1SlF8QS6iWd9JUFCB0umwWC85kyB5eDT3O1-_vNQonkfMIiY7Wlyip90aZnX2_csAl7i33VCrSjKaw3YrNfdotQh5hgExfWg4-3rRzjJqA201Knug00KHWFfX2B8O8leVzRH9X6PoyLiNDkUfo3Q9SAhU-TRxS/s1635/Hi%20Temperatures%20Atlanta%20Oct%20Mar%202023.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scout bees,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm trap,Thomas D. Seeley,swarm lure,spring,crabapple,trees atlanta," border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1635" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhcHEskCDxA3TxbszBQQwVJOVht1SlF8QS6iWd9JUFCB0umwWC85kyB5eDT3O1-_vNQonkfMIiY7Wlyip90aZnX2_csAl7i33VCrSjKaw3YrNfdotQh5hgExfWg4-3rRzjJqA201Knug00KHWFfX2B8O8leVzRH9X6PoyLiNDkUfo3Q9SAhU-TRxS/w400-h226/Hi%20Temperatures%20Atlanta%20Oct%20Mar%202023.PNG" title="scout bees at swarm trap 2023" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H_2SiX8hB4qVDMKh3TqomGiqqvRaMtRuj1GYAz9HBT9hUfOCxbgW-y0Fki5ABID05OymnkxB3zI2Bi77q-3Jivu3DQgmvYFQ8hQ4SzP0vL56ZSVjsQRoRYE1h9DYO0MSUouFqowQzSAqkwKqZ-td-CnEizQxMKxgmARK3_D-zpxlKYSs6O38BcJN/s4032/IMG_4711.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scout bees,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm trap,Thomas D. Seeley,swarm lure,spring,crabapple,trees atlanta," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8H_2SiX8hB4qVDMKh3TqomGiqqvRaMtRuj1GYAz9HBT9hUfOCxbgW-y0Fki5ABID05OymnkxB3zI2Bi77q-3Jivu3DQgmvYFQ8hQ4SzP0vL56ZSVjsQRoRYE1h9DYO0MSUouFqowQzSAqkwKqZ-td-CnEizQxMKxgmARK3_D-zpxlKYSs6O38BcJN/w480-h640/IMG_4711.JPG" title="scout bees at swarm trap 2023" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkYk8xtCUka4f5Nsk6dYoXqmkqGSUQVZ8IQXcWzFgMNzBf_q2G5I2_Lda5oFzCTGavUgfhd_aMiuvlfRfBcGJvEbhyiHzrmObhE4sBJMGtL4L0rXnnb1n8u4pKuaSgw1lFJ8_Ucxhuf2PoTbNMZfqZBYHx_-re_bb4NVHPAuGk_WbHOD_EtYcMA20/s4032/IMG_4714.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scout bees,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm trap,Thomas D. Seeley,swarm lure,spring,crabapple,trees atlanta," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkYk8xtCUka4f5Nsk6dYoXqmkqGSUQVZ8IQXcWzFgMNzBf_q2G5I2_Lda5oFzCTGavUgfhd_aMiuvlfRfBcGJvEbhyiHzrmObhE4sBJMGtL4L0rXnnb1n8u4pKuaSgw1lFJ8_Ucxhuf2PoTbNMZfqZBYHx_-re_bb4NVHPAuGk_WbHOD_EtYcMA20/w480-h640/IMG_4714.JPG" title="scout bees at swarm trap 2023" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoT3A_ZcNEe1Tpj80MQlVIr-ahqUQixqqhTd12YUE4Fr1oc3iG1b5cAV9L1k8Sk5RM-zGrZt1rbDw0QnflydzgHBqTbOHhfmM7Sxu0fLPX6H4Gw9RSU9TIMbFsOtlp3M9Fe_BIqEOFXk2npDZGh83H0ovo2gX5rP9JP89xvX98SbYfj3AdpPPALJs/s4032/IMG_4719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="scout bees,UV-blue entrance,bee,swarm trap,Thomas D. Seeley,swarm lure,spring,crabapple,trees atlanta," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoT3A_ZcNEe1Tpj80MQlVIr-ahqUQixqqhTd12YUE4Fr1oc3iG1b5cAV9L1k8Sk5RM-zGrZt1rbDw0QnflydzgHBqTbOHhfmM7Sxu0fLPX6H4Gw9RSU9TIMbFsOtlp3M9Fe_BIqEOFXk2npDZGh83H0ovo2gX5rP9JP89xvX98SbYfj3AdpPPALJs/w480-h640/IMG_4719.JPG" title="scout bees at swarm trap 2023" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwTFYOSpaP-zfJEfEJVeKKT-IcpnKvUqTzokzb-xBgqbpgHcfJ-erA9qSx201NvxvApsAdgthVr2MIAsLBo4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div>From mid-February to early March, Atlanta's maximum temperatures were warmer than expected. On February 21st, the high temperature was 21°F above maximum normals (1991-2020). <div><br /></div><div>On March 7th, pollen counts soared to 3937 - outdoor surfaces were covered with yellow pollen (pine, oak, sweet gum, hackberry, and birch). Walking the dog, I discovered bees (mining, carpenter, and European honey) visiting crabapple tree flowers on my street - thanks to <a href="https://www.treesatlanta.org/resources/50-atlanta-trees/" target="_blank">Trees Atlanta</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I set 4 hanging swarm traps on 3 properties in my neighborhood, each with: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.api-tek.net/" target="_blank">UV-reactive blue swarm trap entrance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.betterbee.com/images/Swarm_Catch_Instructions.pdf" target="_blank">synthetically produced Nasonov pheromone</a></li></ul><p>2 of these traps are on my property and conveniently located where I can watch the swarm trap entrance and the behavior of scout bees from a window. See the video and read <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=honeybee+democracy+hovering+flight&hl=en&tbm=bks&ei=sC0XZLqNB6aPwbkP5pCz2AY&ved=0ahUKEwi6pZLnquj9AhWmRzABHWbIDGsQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=honeybee+democracy+hovering+flight&gs_lcp=Cg1nd3Mtd2l6LWJvb2tzEAM6BQghEKsCOgQIIRAKUMMNWJdPYJdRaABwAHgAgAF2iAHyCpIBBDE1LjKYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz-books" target="_blank">page 62 of Honeybee Democracy</a> describing scout bees.</p><p>So far, the traps did not attract a swarm - my swarm trap hopes rest with a return to more normal temperatures after this week of frigid spring weather.</p></div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-30621219996137486962023-02-05T15:27:00.009-05:002023-02-12T13:46:47.869-05:00erratic winter weather<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWmNi6b6zw4_kKG73q7vbsa5_uqIvKCdvDCeXmGKEgCyyIB__7052o4_nE6P_oCOKfADm0Et-SV511bfYn3hZc9g4vgbJWcIXn26KHjGF7s02QpeBUWJu1aK8Bbg0R06ZvUHUcnOPjBhemgSNXl_PSNIz-Y_fyzptFKb-Sut-KwUELOI8hunnFuLt/s1363/IMG_4471.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bee,winter,winter-flowering cherry,arctic oscillation," border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1363" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWmNi6b6zw4_kKG73q7vbsa5_uqIvKCdvDCeXmGKEgCyyIB__7052o4_nE6P_oCOKfADm0Et-SV511bfYn3hZc9g4vgbJWcIXn26KHjGF7s02QpeBUWJu1aK8Bbg0R06ZvUHUcnOPjBhemgSNXl_PSNIz-Y_fyzptFKb-Sut-KwUELOI8hunnFuLt/w400-h399/IMG_4471.JPG" title="erratic winter weather" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI1-4qnVorGpBTfPFitsbGcFtdJEImzPS2evJ0nBINxGAQ8Sr6m33p3DF4PZMy8LMBO9vujleuTfQWq2AMluZbLeyRWd_jJ6CJ1BiT97Mh2PAGTckvHIcmfgtEIkbWoMwf_QBhWWzFq5bjwajQ_DJn-gK-C6souenMwZeAlBTMOUMEefqA9wD_2RQ/s3026/IMG_4533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bee,winter,winter-flowering cherry,arctic oscillation," border="0" data-original-height="3026" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI1-4qnVorGpBTfPFitsbGcFtdJEImzPS2evJ0nBINxGAQ8Sr6m33p3DF4PZMy8LMBO9vujleuTfQWq2AMluZbLeyRWd_jJ6CJ1BiT97Mh2PAGTckvHIcmfgtEIkbWoMwf_QBhWWzFq5bjwajQ_DJn-gK-C6souenMwZeAlBTMOUMEefqA9wD_2RQ/w400-h400/IMG_4533.JPG" title="erratic winter weather" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>On December 24 2022, Atlanta experienced a historic single digit 8°F (-13.3°C) <a href="https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ffc" target="_blank">minimal temperature</a>. This cold snap turned green ground cover brown and delayed or canceled flights. In mid to late December the <a href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/daily_ao_index/ao_index_ensm.shtml" target="_blank">arctic oscillation (AO)</a> was in a negative part of its cycle. Strongly negative AO values are consistent, or should I say necessary, for achieving a historic low in an Atlanta winter. </p><p>The December 2022 cold snap was an outlier and then came a historically warm January 2023. Currently, the AO is in the positive part of its cycle and as the AO changes slowly, it seems likely that Atlanta will be spared a historic cold snap in February. This story brings me to share a few lucky iPhone photos of bees on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prunus_subhirtella" target="_blank">winter-flowering ornamental cherry trees</a>. I was walking the dog on a sunny 57°F (13.9°C) afternoon. I stood still and soaked in the loud buzz of bees foraging on cherry tree flowers.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ99LO7oFNN2OeMBQ7ExZ56MuTcED8UALYSf2B3C7E3HeWCLy0FCq27S1RN_QFFG-kE6K5GzfNm37AT_mGnmUucwhq9ChPNxuQjfYajeVZBXqAOnM16A-yUqFJgKablOdFJvGkZpEblRcmtWIsnm2K2g1afJXdC4mUXPogXydJJO8a3UXuesUrk7-O/s1109/Arctic%20Oscillation%202022%20to%202023.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bee,winter,winter-flowering cherry,arctic oscillation," border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="1109" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ99LO7oFNN2OeMBQ7ExZ56MuTcED8UALYSf2B3C7E3HeWCLy0FCq27S1RN_QFFG-kE6K5GzfNm37AT_mGnmUucwhq9ChPNxuQjfYajeVZBXqAOnM16A-yUqFJgKablOdFJvGkZpEblRcmtWIsnm2K2g1afJXdC4mUXPogXydJJO8a3UXuesUrk7-O/w400-h134/Arctic%20Oscillation%202022%20to%202023.PNG" title="erratic winter weather" width="400" /></a></div>
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Monthly Lowest Min Temperature for Atlanta Area, GA (ThreadEx)</th><th> </th><th> </th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>Year</td><td>Jan</td><td>Dec</td></tr>
<tr><td>2023</td><td>29</td><td>M</td></tr>
<tr><td>2022</td><td>26</td><td>8</td></tr>
<tr><td>2021</td><td>28</td><td>34</td></tr>
<tr><td>2020</td><td>23</td><td>22</td></tr>
<tr><td>2019</td><td>22</td><td>29</td></tr>
<tr><td>2018</td><td>13</td><td>28</td></tr>
<tr><td>2017</td><td>15</td><td>26</td></tr>
<tr><td>2016</td><td>20</td><td>26</td></tr>
<tr><td>2015</td><td>11</td><td>29</td></tr>
<tr><td>2014</td><td>6</td><td>30</td></tr>
<tr><td>2013</td><td>29</td><td>27</td></tr>
<tr><td>2012</td><td>22</td><td>30</td></tr>
<tr><td>2011</td><td>19</td><td>29</td></tr>
<tr><td>2010</td><td>13</td><td>14</td></tr>
<tr><td>2009</td><td>12</td><td>26</td></tr>
<tr><td>2008</td><td>15</td><td>18</td></tr>
<tr><td>2007</td><td>18</td><td>26</td></tr>
<tr><td>2006</td><td>28</td><td>19</td></tr>
<tr><td>2005</td><td>16</td><td>24</td></tr>
<tr><td>2004</td><td>18</td><td>16</td></tr>
<tr><td>2003</td><td>8</td><td>26</td></tr>
<tr><td>2002</td><td>21</td><td>25</td></tr>
<tr><td>2001</td><td>17</td><td>23</td></tr>
<tr><td>2000</td><td>19</td><td>13</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Mean</td><td>19</td><td>24</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Max</td><td>29</td><td>34</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td>2023</td><td>2021</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Min</td><td>6</td><td>8</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td>2014</td><td>2022</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-89718730296449009352023-01-20T21:41:00.013-05:002023-01-21T07:53:33.073-05:00ChatGPT - what do you know about honey bees?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tNAX_G8FQKhFxCkWieGKpjObEyuMbW4whtNiulMaJa54b3Db5HrGJ1vnF8_CqY98fmZA6f4Q4isxzhHRfeaGqhja7cPU9e9kgqODtjkmSw2oyFV897A82eWXzWyrY54ShFC4DbXVPqEmKWq10jE5DMdeJLa6tCVBy0DFnAlkH9EOxKTVC4U5GchJ/s1545/ChatGPT%20treating%20hives%20with%20chemicals%20-%20B.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,varroa,artificial intelligence,swarm trap,ChatGPT" border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1545" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tNAX_G8FQKhFxCkWieGKpjObEyuMbW4whtNiulMaJa54b3Db5HrGJ1vnF8_CqY98fmZA6f4Q4isxzhHRfeaGqhja7cPU9e9kgqODtjkmSw2oyFV897A82eWXzWyrY54ShFC4DbXVPqEmKWq10jE5DMdeJLa6tCVBy0DFnAlkH9EOxKTVC4U5GchJ/w400-h159/ChatGPT%20treating%20hives%20with%20chemicals%20-%20B.PNG" title="ChatGPT - what do you know about honey bees?" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkgcY0BcAqNGmldiXV2xZpbgzwTD6ORzG-5J-PggsEHpplT7rVKNlqYPe9Effenrvs30Rwbv9CAALjWZL7ntagsPvLdOtxZ-_E4UH7mcWqlOM0B81LHI-AvP4Iv45qbR5gd6YpKqGI5EUW_buyM5gHsiqGyRJ6PsffXSC0f25QcBmJFu6rpGBIua1/s1061/ChatGPT%20advantage%20of%20UV-reactive%20blue%20swarm%20trap%20entrance%20-%20C.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,varroa,artificial intelligence,swarm trap,ChatGPT" border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="1061" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkgcY0BcAqNGmldiXV2xZpbgzwTD6ORzG-5J-PggsEHpplT7rVKNlqYPe9Effenrvs30Rwbv9CAALjWZL7ntagsPvLdOtxZ-_E4UH7mcWqlOM0B81LHI-AvP4Iv45qbR5gd6YpKqGI5EUW_buyM5gHsiqGyRJ6PsffXSC0f25QcBmJFu6rpGBIua1/w400-h146/ChatGPT%20advantage%20of%20UV-reactive%20blue%20swarm%20trap%20entrance%20-%20C.PNG" title="ChatGPT - what do you know about honey bees?" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here is my experience with asking <a href="https://chat.openai.com" target="_blank">ChatGPT</a> about honey bees.</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> easy to use </li><li>replied quickly with niche knowledge about honey bees</li><li>challenges web search business<br /></li><li>if a portion of the reply is incorrect, I pressed the "Regenerate" button; the screenshot is the best reply after 5 tries; including "simple terms" in the request kept the reply short <br /></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAX_JfT7DKnO-6g4_jQjhXqNYGrEAbBFnD7ZZVHfCShCHMh3euGA7CmZWNUbY3VBDTEaIoTWqwgbkWySa-6PSYaDy2NQ-wh1QPShPRdL5KrKKZcvZxrfa6W9Ako6s1b0-nYQDlyM6mk-p58aVHK9SYvbAQ6I7i6zq5GFa4doCGKDXwYoeLjZoDSG-/s1111/ChatGPT%20advice.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,varroa,artificial intelligence,swarm trap,ChatGPT" border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1111" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAX_JfT7DKnO-6g4_jQjhXqNYGrEAbBFnD7ZZVHfCShCHMh3euGA7CmZWNUbY3VBDTEaIoTWqwgbkWySa-6PSYaDy2NQ-wh1QPShPRdL5KrKKZcvZxrfa6W9Ako6s1b0-nYQDlyM6mk-p58aVHK9SYvbAQ6I7i6zq5GFa4doCGKDXwYoeLjZoDSG-/w400-h231/ChatGPT%20advice.PNG" title="ChatGPT - what do you know about honey bees?" width="400" /></a></div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-13525203295642175912022-11-11T07:51:00.003-05:002023-07-27T19:28:06.879-04:00pesticide, microbiota and seasonal diet<p></p><p></p><p>The Beekeeping Today Podcast discussion of <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWVrZWVwaW5ndG9kYXlwb2RjYXN0LmxpYnN5bi5jb20vcnNzMg/episode/NGM5MTAxNDMtMGQyMS00ODY2LWE4ZWEtYjkyMzNlYmE2Yzdk?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIk87p2J77AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ" target="_blank">"Winter Bees, Summer Bees and Imidacloprid" </a>led me to dig into that journal article topic. The assumptions in the article are: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Naïve lab bees fed clean syrup that had no transfer of bacteria and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbiota" target="_blank">microbiota</a> by contact with other adult bees are more sensitive to stressors and therefore avoid the highly toxic neonicotide <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imidacloprid" target="_blank">Imidacloprid</a> (IMP) in the caged challenge<br /></li><li>Winter bees live longer (estimated age of 2 to 3 months) and accumulate more intestinal microbiota and are therefore less sensitive to IMP<br /></li></ul><p><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358741291_Influence_of_honey_bee_seasonal_phenotype_and_emerging_conditions_on_diet_behavior_and_susceptibility_to_imidacloprid" target="_blank">Influence of honey bee seasonal phenotype and emerging conditions on diet behavior and susceptibility to imidacloprid</a> concludes:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Winter bees preferred IMP-tainted syrup at both 5 and 20 PPB<br /></li><li>Summer bees' preference for IMP-tainted syrup was neutral</li><li>Naïve summer bees that emerged in a lab (not exposed to other adult bees and fed clean syrup) avoided IMP-tainted syrup in the caged challenge<br /></li></ul><p></p><p> <b>method and materials:</b><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>2700 winter and summer bees in 27cages (100 bees/cage) were challenged with IMP tainted syrup (5 and 20 PPB)<br /></li><li>3 syrup feeding setups</li><ul><li>1:1 versus 1:1 untainted (clean) syrup; control 1 versus control 2<br /></li><li>swapped locations; 1:1 versus 5 PPB (sub-lethal, next to nothing concentration)<br /></li><li>swapped locations; 1:1 versus 20 PPB (lethal concentration)</li></ul></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQksklbkQyHqbBn8_h5aw0-f8vjXKXy3h9exiPTGZY4fGePDF3kNTaMl36XjLn2JVElABF1tmL5AQJWVtEMvM0u_2RaFDeDWjBn4-eZ_TcHaJ-PEYbNRm2xugpzJKGcdatDITcKCDtJzxTWx6g1dAf9FYUVDd7lee3TiffEWc5OL6_sC0G6PHW_6k/s1149/caged%20experiment.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,intestinal microbiota,pesticide,winter bee," border="0" data-original-height="846" data-original-width="1149" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQksklbkQyHqbBn8_h5aw0-f8vjXKXy3h9exiPTGZY4fGePDF3kNTaMl36XjLn2JVElABF1tmL5AQJWVtEMvM0u_2RaFDeDWjBn4-eZ_TcHaJ-PEYbNRm2xugpzJKGcdatDITcKCDtJzxTWx6g1dAf9FYUVDd7lee3TiffEWc5OL6_sC0G6PHW_6k/w400-h295/caged%20experiment.PNG" title="pesticide, microbiota and seasonal diet" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-70809177410686665612022-11-07T07:43:00.003-05:002023-07-27T19:28:26.692-04:00urban and suburban pesticide risk<p></p><p>The Two Bees in a Podcast discussion of <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMjUwMWU5OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/NTUyNmEwMGItMjkzNy00YWQ2LTgyNzItNGNlZDQxY2U1NmMy?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwiAq5KvgZr7AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ" target="_blank">"Finding Pesticide Residue in Nectar and Pollen" </a>led me to dig into that journal article topic.</p><p><a href="https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/etc.5298" target="_blank">Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Exposure to Pesticide Residues in Nectar and Pollen in Urban and Suburban Environments from Four Regions of the United States</a> concludes:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>27% of all nectar and pollen samples contained detectable pesticide residues</li><li>more pesticides were detected in pollen than in nectar </li><li>no seasonal or spatial pesticide trends </li><li>17 pesticides were detected in nectar samples and 60 in pollen samples. Where honey bee oral pesticide toxicity was known, those samples were entered into the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-science-and-assessing-pesticide-risks/models-pesticide-risk-assessment" target="_blank">EPA BeeREX</a> risk assessment software and 4 pesticides showed a potential acute risk (survival) to honey bees - see table</li></ul> <b>method and materials:</b><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>768 nectar and 862 pollen samples collected monthly over 2 years <br /></li><li>8 locations in medium to large cities in California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas</li></ul><p> <b>other links:</b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352186422002188#b15" target="_blank">Risk Quotient (RQ)</a></li><li><a href="http://sitem.herts.ac.uk/aeru/ppdb/en/index.htm" target="_blank">Pesticide Properties Database</a></li><li><a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1029144997/epa-will-ban-a-farming-pesticide-linked-to-health-problems-in-children">EPA Will Ban A Farming Pesticide Linked To Health Problems In Children</a></li></ul><p><b>Risk Quotient</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Iu3kiPfxPnAvEAZ6k1fsSfLeiHEPhNBOPIVDBaGxKn3CPta6het0JKggkbmSrcdC9yFGhgXHAiRxvYeqP_mbuaI1N8aKEZkGX1eIQsURRmtN2qiNCJ0wkTwvjusUGrb5vc-Fh54qqMN7d1iNzRpkeMznV3KUz1nwJm9thss3AhZrquDFKWV0BAg/s518/BeeREX%20assessment%20RQ.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="bee,beekeeping,pesticide risk,nectar,pollen,urban,suburban," border="0" data-original-height="69" data-original-width="518" height="54" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_Iu3kiPfxPnAvEAZ6k1fsSfLeiHEPhNBOPIVDBaGxKn3CPta6het0JKggkbmSrcdC9yFGhgXHAiRxvYeqP_mbuaI1N8aKEZkGX1eIQsURRmtN2qiNCJ0wkTwvjusUGrb5vc-Fh54qqMN7d1iNzRpkeMznV3KUz1nwJm9thss3AhZrquDFKWV0BAg/w400-h54/BeeREX%20assessment%20RQ.PNG" title="urban and suburban pesticide risk" width="400" /></a></div><p>As the RQ equation shows, a tiny "acute oral LD50" can create a large Risk Quotient for any sample containing a small "residue in nectar". For this reason, the table below is sorted in LD50 order with Imidacloprid appearing in the first row. <br /></p><p><b>Products containing Imidacloprid</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_gubUzB2801FEC1g3EfQUwIXuSh9qul2PcKkHxic8lSvHndl2DcE3yO_O7INApTI3dBBDmdIIFM2i5-TEqtqzSdbfcG4VOJmSOb9FsOY59-nCHzFivpSodoDMkAZ7fwCf3TaD-U8Yp-n_3ox2ucXSim1HtArtW1OrFMQG-C1skEB5mPJLYtNahk/s1647/products%20containing%20neonicotinoid.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bee,beekeeping,pesticide risk,nectar,pollen,urban,suburban," border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1647" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_gubUzB2801FEC1g3EfQUwIXuSh9qul2PcKkHxic8lSvHndl2DcE3yO_O7INApTI3dBBDmdIIFM2i5-TEqtqzSdbfcG4VOJmSOb9FsOY59-nCHzFivpSodoDMkAZ7fwCf3TaD-U8Yp-n_3ox2ucXSim1HtArtW1OrFMQG-C1skEB5mPJLYtNahk/w400-h215/products%20containing%20neonicotinoid.PNG" title="urban and suburban pesticide risk" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><p></p></div><style type="text/css">
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>Pesticide</th><th>Oral Acute LD50 (ug/bee)</th><th>Introduced</th><th>EPA banned</th><th> Pollen</th><th> Nectar</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>Imidacloprid</td><td>0.0037</td><td>1991</td><td> </td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td></tr>
<tr><td>Deltamethrin</td><td>0.0700</td><td>1974</td><td> </td><td>✓</td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Chlorpyrifos</td><td>0.1500</td><td>1965</td><td>2021</td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td></tr>
<tr><td>Esfenvalerate</td><td>0.2100</td><td>1987</td><td> </td><td>✓</td><td>✓</td></tr>
</tbody></table>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-67715394336819698832022-09-28T07:54:00.000-04:002022-09-28T07:54:34.685-04:00swarm traps (bait hives) with UV-reactive blue entrance <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA3STi5YZE0INFtASYzJ9aj3yD6QPGVd_UBUFHfZlAX-yfhWrFW-InMXbNlu1TDBmNSwDnZCe1XDONVUKxzpwL0dltRsbCLTsONG7M37CiklHiNCDkhukMNjgNYEdF__DYcyDv8kr_2wNMB4LYjdeQxiIbxw7J-bhi0w2ulBC5Yox5c_yb1OS-9gg/s338/swarm%20trap%20hung%20in%20tree.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,swarm,swarm trap,Thomas D. Seeley,UV-blue entrance,swarm lure,scout bees," border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA3STi5YZE0INFtASYzJ9aj3yD6QPGVd_UBUFHfZlAX-yfhWrFW-InMXbNlu1TDBmNSwDnZCe1XDONVUKxzpwL0dltRsbCLTsONG7M37CiklHiNCDkhukMNjgNYEdF__DYcyDv8kr_2wNMB4LYjdeQxiIbxw7J-bhi0w2ulBC5Yox5c_yb1OS-9gg/w448-h640/swarm%20trap%20hung%20in%20tree.PNG" title="swarm traps (bait hives) with UV-reactive blue entrance" width="448" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://www.beesource.com/attachments/uv-blue-and-swarm-traps-september-2022-bc-pdf.70941/" target="_blank">Impact of UV-Induced Blue Florescence Entrances</a> concludes:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>UV-reactive blue swarm trap entrances nearly doubled the number of scout bees observed over the control</li><li>Swarms selected the trap with the UV-blue entrance over the control 100% of the time </li></ul> method and materials:<br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>conducted from May to August in 2020 and 2021 in western New York</li><li>1.25 inch (3.2 cm) circular entrance hole<br /></li><li>1.59 cubic ft (45 liter) cavity volume</li><li>4 frames without comb + 1 frame with some comb<br /></li><li>attached to a tree at a height of 8-10 feet </li><li>3 locations facing an open field with bee forage</li><li>2 traps per location 200 feet apart with a 3D printed trap entrance using 1) UV-reactive blue filament or 2) white filament (control)<br /></li><li>swarm lure spray applied weekly</li><li>weather permitting, 1 location included scout bee counting between 11:30am-4:00pm <br /></li></ul> <style type="text/css">
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<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th><br /></th><th>Scout Bee Activity Logged</th><th>Trap Selected</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>Year 1 - 2020</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 1 </td><td>Yes</td><td>UV-reactive blue</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 2 </td><td> </td><td>UV-reactive blue</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 3</td><td> </td><td>UV-reactive blue</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Year 2 - 2021 (traps swapped)</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 1 </td><td>Yes</td><td>UV-reactive blue</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 2 </td><td> </td><td>none</td></tr>
<tr><td>Location 3</td><td> </td><td>UV-reactive blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-69784097018314288172022-08-25T07:21:00.000-04:002022-08-25T07:21:21.582-04:00Run-Away Split<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB-OlHFsekPx6Rg09T9lhep2-9LCOfz_gA6TztzQhTkmqk07bcpKs_xhYw43hNKxGa88cPzbvKGyLMxAxlVbSjm2Kg40vHVS-dCy6NptaeqKlqkiZGmL9q0OgEq8GrjvfgcL0aSJIfNg5mu-cg-vtcVZaFfapTh2p8BfewO8FFYy4OBCiWBvhIFEn/s719/SARE.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sam comfort,bee,split,emergency queen,bee keeping,darwinian beekeeping,MABA," border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="719" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB-OlHFsekPx6Rg09T9lhep2-9LCOfz_gA6TztzQhTkmqk07bcpKs_xhYw43hNKxGa88cPzbvKGyLMxAxlVbSjm2Kg40vHVS-dCy6NptaeqKlqkiZGmL9q0OgEq8GrjvfgcL0aSJIfNg5mu-cg-vtcVZaFfapTh2p8BfewO8FFYy4OBCiWBvhIFEn/w400-h199/SARE.PNG" title="Run-Away Split" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://metroatlantabeekeepers.org/" target="_blank">MABA</a>'s August speaker, <a href="http://anarchyapiaries.org/hivetools/node/32" target="_blank">Sam Comfort</a>, shared novel beekeeping and queen rearing practices with the club. I was spellbound by Sam's life story and accomplishments including:<br /><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>inexpensive construction - $0.80<span> </span>hive box using rough sawmill lumber and bamboo skewer as a top bar<br /></li><li>the demanding rhythm of Sam's calendar-driven queen-rearing business by grafting</li><li><a href="https://projects.sare.org/project-reports/fne20-964/" target="_blank">SARE grant</a> - emergency queen rearing using <a href="https://projects.sare.org/wp-content/uploads/ComparingQueenRearingMethods_FactSheet-1.pdf" target="_blank">Run-Away Splits</a>, Sam's variation on Walk-Away Splits<br /></li></ul><p>In the absence of a queen, 1) open brood pheromone (versus capped brood) helps retain worker bees in both queen rearing methods (split or grafting) and 2) that new comb is desirable in the Run-Away Split method.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxiW_vNPhiTB99Jjss4R2nTJqDH6oZ5leWAzyMZWvHnq0nCU5ECMyMdRpt4rVCmKOEPU5zE-_5KjPfJ7SMF9TO13ROLMAFSrL9RZt2CUWj9dtBsMNJmTBqqxJXmTgJXrYjv7Lf0hzJD1wv6-ODvxfVvY8lPdHot2DRI_GKn_DNQz3pybEiBIME6Gr/s657/SARE%20Brood%20Age.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sam comfort,bee,split,emergency queen,bee keeping,darwinian beekeeping,MABA," border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="657" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxiW_vNPhiTB99Jjss4R2nTJqDH6oZ5leWAzyMZWvHnq0nCU5ECMyMdRpt4rVCmKOEPU5zE-_5KjPfJ7SMF9TO13ROLMAFSrL9RZt2CUWj9dtBsMNJmTBqqxJXmTgJXrYjv7Lf0hzJD1wv6-ODvxfVvY8lPdHot2DRI_GKn_DNQz3pybEiBIME6Gr/w400-h266/SARE%20Brood%20Age.PNG" title="Run-Away Split" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQJ3BxyIxSUbl08W8x4KHZlkfkAx7dTEwMXHMZLOGCuRdMX87_C4vQ2bfPiA-KjhrzaLGO5_ks7SHYNUE8iQAoH62NdzWHod0lnALTw_Eoh2-vDpmpLe3JRwRQi50OSa-apUQZqdQgBMeLAd_KGelPZLU_zJSq7YvJGxgdPtfLqqAO7O4p37BNNaC/s655/SARE%20comb%20age.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sam comfort,bee,split,emergency queen,bee keeping,darwinian beekeeping,MABA," border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="655" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQJ3BxyIxSUbl08W8x4KHZlkfkAx7dTEwMXHMZLOGCuRdMX87_C4vQ2bfPiA-KjhrzaLGO5_ks7SHYNUE8iQAoH62NdzWHod0lnALTw_Eoh2-vDpmpLe3JRwRQi50OSa-apUQZqdQgBMeLAd_KGelPZLU_zJSq7YvJGxgdPtfLqqAO7O4p37BNNaC/w400-h271/SARE%20comb%20age.PNG" title="Run-Away Split" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-Uyl1p_zdvoh78gUksDqM5H9QIbyWkAX/view" target="_blank">NCSU report</a> compared Sam's 32 mated emergency queens to their database of all tested queens and graded Sam's emergency queens as A- (high reproductive potential). This dis-spelled my bias that emergency queens mate poorly.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k2DkVYJ8Xb_L6WWuuliXo6GjLWE-tqkDbkH7keu6MarDYacGL-7KVwHTpvHdsQjsg0BOW355STAxujbCsPR-OTZ1RX1tMDaTzHVr6JM88KZB7TUs7oUzXMHFee8zmuMJijGw9X_9G40QtiW3fpHyPrZIf-SRFhvR0QsdK711myQfy2YqSC0GQCkf/s1083/SARE%20queen%20quality%20report.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="sam comfort,bee,split,emergency queen,bee keeping,darwinian beekeeping,MABA," border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1083" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k2DkVYJ8Xb_L6WWuuliXo6GjLWE-tqkDbkH7keu6MarDYacGL-7KVwHTpvHdsQjsg0BOW355STAxujbCsPR-OTZ1RX1tMDaTzHVr6JM88KZB7TUs7oUzXMHFee8zmuMJijGw9X_9G40QtiW3fpHyPrZIf-SRFhvR0QsdK711myQfy2YqSC0GQCkf/w400-h217/SARE%20queen%20quality%20report.PNG" title="Run-Away Split" width="400" /></a></div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-1556747963820698832022-08-06T12:03:00.002-04:002022-08-06T12:03:28.486-04:00A.I. Art responds to my words<div style="text-align: center;"></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpIIgLo1xCA-uVMb6AN-1bXkNlehMR9s4r55CyaRuNKwQidW_-43jL7R5e9Q-0DSiARQwXYhoNh8A2OZ3rx6bd_ZrgNLXYecyQqrIr0P1ogb5QM2WRsDH3tjIySlHkHHgcG-_nYtbXNUP-NAKpA1e-TxYswn0OW6vjE3_IuINdpSXx5-HJFeYAU-1/s926/craiyon_214606_Lorenzo_Lorraine_Langstroth__watercolor__br_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,art,bee,books,software,artificial intelligence," border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpIIgLo1xCA-uVMb6AN-1bXkNlehMR9s4r55CyaRuNKwQidW_-43jL7R5e9Q-0DSiARQwXYhoNh8A2OZ3rx6bd_ZrgNLXYecyQqrIr0P1ogb5QM2WRsDH3tjIySlHkHHgcG-_nYtbXNUP-NAKpA1e-TxYswn0OW6vjE3_IuINdpSXx5-HJFeYAU-1/w526-h640/craiyon_214606_Lorenzo_Lorraine_Langstroth__watercolor__br_.png" title="A.I. Art responds to my words" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELPgj4ispDLBbGSjRUsX1ZIzGEMX8IeC3wKu9jfXMupVjuMVS68nd1NmVS3gNG7a54b3bfxTbaI43xnF6qzJso7IkoySBn4729NZgxOAjX23CcgAYvWZK8QS8iWdpj4oppkyFQgE7_gdhnQWagEkAKOhKN5_7vONaiYL29xrdaxEslDh39NnjihfY/s926/craiyon_071657_honeybee_swarm_by_Monet_br_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,art,bee,books,software,artificial intelligence," border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELPgj4ispDLBbGSjRUsX1ZIzGEMX8IeC3wKu9jfXMupVjuMVS68nd1NmVS3gNG7a54b3bfxTbaI43xnF6qzJso7IkoySBn4729NZgxOAjX23CcgAYvWZK8QS8iWdpj4oppkyFQgE7_gdhnQWagEkAKOhKN5_7vONaiYL29xrdaxEslDh39NnjihfY/w526-h640/craiyon_071657_honeybee_swarm_by_Monet_br_.png" title="A.I. Art responds to my words" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tbiww8a2y2i0gpXxJiDNleS9HsQO_S9_NKbrJoiUAxrTS-S2CBJ7MZIQxqGbo3bdOVZJVpblk76jxtyJ9DH7nc0-EDzQPYgZwWWYZIa6PGVsvJzuSKzza6pUVRXQf9iczegnsASn2aaLv67Qei3AzrW97GDAXjOE3RpihEOXKoY9eXtWQJkZ0f1w/s950/craiyon_164340_on_principal_a_visit_should_only_be_made_once_the_keeper_has_determined_at_the_hive_e.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,art,bee,books,software,artificial intelligence," border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Tbiww8a2y2i0gpXxJiDNleS9HsQO_S9_NKbrJoiUAxrTS-S2CBJ7MZIQxqGbo3bdOVZJVpblk76jxtyJ9DH7nc0-EDzQPYgZwWWYZIa6PGVsvJzuSKzza6pUVRXQf9iczegnsASn2aaLv67Qei3AzrW97GDAXjOE3RpihEOXKoY9eXtWQJkZ0f1w/w512-h640/craiyon_164340_on_principal_a_visit_should_only_be_made_once_the_keeper_has_determined_at_the_hive_e.png" title="A.I. Art responds to my words" width="512" /></a></div><p>Often funny or disappointing, yet occasionally worth sharing - artificial intelligence (AI) responded to my words and painted a picture. I discovered the <a href="https://www.craiyon.com/" target="_blank">AI software</a> from a recent <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/technology/openai-images-dall-e.html" target="_blank">New York Times article</a> and jumped-in with a sentence from a beekeeping book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/At-Hive-Entrance-H-Storch/dp/1502864703 " target="_blank">At the Hive Entrance</a>" by H. Storch (page 5). </p><p>In hindsight, perhaps I should have read the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DALL-E" target="_blank">wiki</a> page or visited <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/craiyon" target="_blank">twitter</a> to understand successful use of the software. Both a time wasting exercise or a discovery of something unexpected - here are some of the software limitations:<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>a request for more than 3 objects</li><li>negation</li><li>numbers</li><li>connected sentences<br /></li></ul>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-63790773458229113242022-05-31T09:20:00.000-04:002022-05-31T09:20:16.426-04:00Insect Apocalypse<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXwfbDVKHY7l1WXZm9w26PJHqZjPmqAbFCM8a6eJjB8ee1JER4kfnyTjX-JlrVJUP4VEo6TIA1iE3zxf7TGHPDQaA90PMs9FlPAPThBKhckfywgSsOmoyr-6uqN-9gMdtRWjIautLTG547_B_aB1GDMGVYvB5oJbT2fZ5XEH2hObtQHX7iWrzm04i/s764/insects%20in%20decline.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="decline in insects, citizen science" border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="764" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXwfbDVKHY7l1WXZm9w26PJHqZjPmqAbFCM8a6eJjB8ee1JER4kfnyTjX-JlrVJUP4VEo6TIA1iE3zxf7TGHPDQaA90PMs9FlPAPThBKhckfywgSsOmoyr-6uqN-9gMdtRWjIautLTG547_B_aB1GDMGVYvB5oJbT2fZ5XEH2hObtQHX7iWrzm04i/w400-h384/insects%20in%20decline.PNG" title="Insect Apocalypse" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAWUmUXQ4HlcCdTamAuQR4z0h11rcRluPOGMBkxFPjLE_H2q7s7H7p3b70lksZHpEOkjq8w5vLPZAChw3R9DP59jAPBszuWVa6sIRChIbyxXMBEG5GeU3C8vLiqeeTgv1G6yCOe3BuG7Ph7bXdz3s9L-5ogKIWWCAPItnus8maxhgdG0Qw_4b5aTv/s766/Flying%20insects%20splatting%20on%20cars%20have%20dropped%20by%2060%20per%20cent%20in%20UK.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="decline in insects, citizen science" border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="766" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAWUmUXQ4HlcCdTamAuQR4z0h11rcRluPOGMBkxFPjLE_H2q7s7H7p3b70lksZHpEOkjq8w5vLPZAChw3R9DP59jAPBszuWVa6sIRChIbyxXMBEG5GeU3C8vLiqeeTgv1G6yCOe3BuG7Ph7bXdz3s9L-5ogKIWWCAPItnus8maxhgdG0Qw_4b5aTv/w400-h259/Flying%20insects%20splatting%20on%20cars%20have%20dropped%20by%2060%20per%20cent%20in%20UK.PNG" title="Insect Apocalypse" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Where have all the insects gone and what's next for birds, fish, or mammals that depend on these insects as food. I started to read <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Insect_Crisis_The_Fall_of_the_Tiny_E/b_I5EAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=the+insect+crisis&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">The Insect Crisis</a> by Oliver Milman (2022) which opened with a dystopian Sci-Fi future without insects. I quickly gave up in frustration and jumped to the book's references. A lengthy science book that does not include one photo, table, or graph is not my scene. Instead, I recommend reading <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/27/magazine/insect-apocalypse.html" target="_blank">The Insect Apocalypse Is Here</a> - a 2018 New York Times article.</p><p>Entomologists and Citizen Scientists data lack:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>long term studies</li><li>the right kind of studies to distinguish between 1) total insect numbers, 2) total weight of the insects and 3) local vanishing of specific insect species versus global vanishing of the same species<br /></li></ul><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_in_insect_populations#Dirzo_et_al._2014" target="_blank">Decline in insect populations</a> - Wikipedia page writes,</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><i><b>The causes of the declines in insect populations are not fully understood</b>. They are likely to vary between different insect groups and geographical regions.[19] The factors suspected to be important are habitat destruction caused by intensive farming and urbanisation,[20][21][3] pesticide use,[22] introduced species,[23][3] climate change,[3] eutrophication from fertilizers, pollution,[24] and artificial lighting.[25][26][27]<br /><br />The use of increased quantities of insecticides and herbicides on crops have affected not only non-target insect species, but also the plants on which they feed. Climate change and the introduction of exotic species that compete with the indigenous ones put the native species under stress, and as a result they are more likely to succumb to pathogens and parasites.[16] Plants grow faster in presence of increased CO2 but the resulting plant biomass contains fewer nutrients.[28] While some species such as flies and cockroaches might increase as a result,[3] the total biomass of insects is estimated to be decreasing by between about 0.9 to 2.5% per year.</i> <br /></p>I'm not skeptical of the fabulous citizen science work in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, or the UK. We don't know what we don't know (yet).<br /><p> A few more links to acknowledge the attached photos: <br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://phys.org/news/2019-02-world-catastrophic-collapse-insects.html" target="_blank">World seeing 'catastrophic collapse' of insects: study</a></li><li><a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2318621-flying-insects-splatting-on-cars-have-dropped-by-60-per-cent-in-uk/" target="_blank">Flying insects splatting on cars have dropped by 60 percent in the UK</a><br /></li></ul>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-75454561923691046112022-05-16T10:50:00.036-04:002022-05-23T07:21:15.939-04:00May 16th swarm<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cEMlRkZUXruEF_xt5q-5pIaXia2AGNtRzJte7TryZcBof5UK5A0GGTPyolbuQ7MeBLoMvMOklx9tEU0c0lQddd_pjMLIC5BxX8yO3oAMxtcvQGbXg8oyJj25vwoxyVtcJw4zDzIEypt4I8bIkEPAuuVxBFAk8nOv71Bf6CidQzHAanQNrsqxyhD5/s4032/IMG_2948.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,swarm,swarm trap,abscond," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cEMlRkZUXruEF_xt5q-5pIaXia2AGNtRzJte7TryZcBof5UK5A0GGTPyolbuQ7MeBLoMvMOklx9tEU0c0lQddd_pjMLIC5BxX8yO3oAMxtcvQGbXg8oyJj25vwoxyVtcJw4zDzIEypt4I8bIkEPAuuVxBFAk8nOv71Bf6CidQzHAanQNrsqxyhD5/w480-h640/IMG_2948.JPG" title="May 16th swarm" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwo-ONyh2VbahK2TB4lKo7trwbbqMC9im90AVRbeufyCmA296bulGZ458GHXw53DnBS0KPhS5I8IYZv9IaCYg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><p>At 7 pm, I stepped outside and heard the loud buzz in the backyard. The buzz was the strongest standing in front of the hive and looking straight up into the tree canopy the blue sky was darkened by bees. I'm not sure what happened:</p><div dir="ltr"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Did my hive swarm or abscond then return landing and accumulating on the outside of their hive? It's hard to imagine that this weak hive had a population this large and certainly 1/2 of the hive population was not this large. This is where I wished I had a recent baseline hive weight measurement.<br /></li><li>Did a neighborhood hive or wild nest swarm and chose my hive boxes over the hanging 40-liter swarm traps. For the past few days, I watched scout bees investigating my swarm traps. I suppose 6 boxes filled with drawn comb is more attractive than the swarm traps - a furnished home with all the modern conveniences versus an unfurnished selection!<br /></li></ul></div><div dir="ltr">Time will tell what's going on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8SqM0f5B5VNT4bw7plHnrj0n6Y6c9GGSxqAAD5gemnDeLSOFbpN59AYXaBla0UFudD-SKlotmE18KJW01LmycolMd_OO0VRFIyO_JWezxv7zGror3ASvx8dhU9D_YRcdowigH6Nz2C9_jwyXUdyhPya687AQzPu_cC5QsYCM_9xLd3D3o_1RAnG9/s4032/IMG_2955.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,swarm,swarm trap,abscond," border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8SqM0f5B5VNT4bw7plHnrj0n6Y6c9GGSxqAAD5gemnDeLSOFbpN59AYXaBla0UFudD-SKlotmE18KJW01LmycolMd_OO0VRFIyO_JWezxv7zGror3ASvx8dhU9D_YRcdowigH6Nz2C9_jwyXUdyhPya687AQzPu_cC5QsYCM_9xLd3D3o_1RAnG9/w480-h640/IMG_2955.JPG" title="May 16th swarm" width="480" /></a></div>Here's a photo the next morning. I'm so pleased the bees moved in last night and that I did not intervene - the
bees executed a plan, a plan that I did not understand. Previously in my first-hand experience, swarms choose the hanging swarm trap and not a vacant hive.<br />George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-21114129216892955032022-04-14T07:34:00.001-04:002022-04-14T07:34:27.445-04:00imperfect comb<p>My foundation-less beekeeping results in comb with a gentle wave across the frame where bees 1) merged distinct regions of top bar attached comb like a clothing <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Buzz_about_Bees/TWIxixzBBgcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=zip" target="_blank">zipper</a>, or 2) transitioned comb construction between worker and drone sized cells.</p>On <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8xMjUwMWU5OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/ZWZhYmNlYjctMDM5Mi00YWI2LWI1YmYtMGIwNTRkYTc5NTA1?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjIvbmcwPr2AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ" target="_blank">Two Bees in a Podcast</a> Michael Smith spoke about imperfect comb. Here are links to the topic of where bees created 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9-sided non-hexagonal cells:<br /><div> <ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2103605118#con1" target="_blank">Imperfect comb construction reveals the architectural abilities of honeybees</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2111310118" target="_blank">Stigmergy versus behavioral flexibility and planning in honeybee comb construction</a> <br /></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2e0uQQYRkCbZz-G9mWuJ5dXWtGyiFSAkm5hWf-d_ei9Dt2JNH4UZrejPECFJR87or_BjhSvLrEfkkDcZJc7dEPghaP6gjr0hBeDenprbdbO134j1Iw1hDzQJfM8AWgL6nOsYaDbLKe3SW75AEiLYkfnMRij9zIn9O0S1JHIZHL_7gaJjz4Ywn4gk/s780/imperfect%20comb.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,foundationless walter t kelly,bee,The Buzz about Bees,size,podcast,imperfect comb,wax,natural cell size," border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="780" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2e0uQQYRkCbZz-G9mWuJ5dXWtGyiFSAkm5hWf-d_ei9Dt2JNH4UZrejPECFJR87or_BjhSvLrEfkkDcZJc7dEPghaP6gjr0hBeDenprbdbO134j1Iw1hDzQJfM8AWgL6nOsYaDbLKe3SW75AEiLYkfnMRij9zIn9O0S1JHIZHL_7gaJjz4Ywn4gk/w400-h299/imperfect%20comb.PNG" title="imperfect comb" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ913D0gIg78wxFTSitLF5omOxcZibW0VCo0o3w1sXr5NXAhTvoBq33mzDitSD8qrT7a-b1xRA8ZB4Wwj6cjeoUAgwUqAeffqZ5fW4Bk_BHojnU0eYMwZebkBTQ7qcFaXVybuG2Y6KnNCbhMqJ5YFx47Uyw4AAVegf9NZk6yj7FD29dWvEeE69A6L/s611/the%20buzz%20about%20bees%20zip%20fastener.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,foundationless walter t kelly,bee,The Buzz about Bees,size,podcast,imperfect comb,wax,natural cell size," border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="439" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ913D0gIg78wxFTSitLF5omOxcZibW0VCo0o3w1sXr5NXAhTvoBq33mzDitSD8qrT7a-b1xRA8ZB4Wwj6cjeoUAgwUqAeffqZ5fW4Bk_BHojnU0eYMwZebkBTQ7qcFaXVybuG2Y6KnNCbhMqJ5YFx47Uyw4AAVegf9NZk6yj7FD29dWvEeE69A6L/w461-h640/the%20buzz%20about%20bees%20zip%20fastener.PNG" title="imperfect comb" width="461" /></a></div><br /> </div><p></p></div>George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6653357115345273429.post-16851103980302621622022-04-06T07:43:00.247-04:002022-04-23T10:02:38.351-04:00tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczMZRn7V5EOuYfLW2JwU-4NMIELr1Ti12HsdIxM1E7GVMLYUPvnEQWCsPnrRXknbAvUSDquI6EvpgkVQM7mbDzXyBiLwzUz_axyyXnFtcfXDONbJA74TjjjB1sjCUe3kUNJcR9nCHaOJF7ERMx9xW01EcmlPDPeEx8Ha68RnPl38elFE23UoF4TTT/s2168/IMG_2769.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,tulip poplar,white clover,chinese wysteria,amur honeysuckle,spiderwort,pollen,foraging," border="0" data-original-height="2168" data-original-width="2161" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczMZRn7V5EOuYfLW2JwU-4NMIELr1Ti12HsdIxM1E7GVMLYUPvnEQWCsPnrRXknbAvUSDquI6EvpgkVQM7mbDzXyBiLwzUz_axyyXnFtcfXDONbJA74TjjjB1sjCUe3kUNJcR9nCHaOJF7ERMx9xW01EcmlPDPeEx8Ha68RnPl38elFE23UoF4TTT/w399-h400/IMG_2769.JPG" title="tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '22" width="399" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tl773dNRhrLiRGillGO-JePVu2CYdIwI6LQmPJP0mCMZEr2o7gbnmd69wAeY54Fd_ay8vsRZWS1Pjy-S7qr8jSxcO0RmNPXQzbQOYSmUPm81WeA97u9BlD0Dt21UZra2aAYthdvCaPvscB4lQyuic3ig2JTwLGBUsVejFqToeS1TE9-p9JdS6t_V/s3027/IMG_2767.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,tulip poplar,white clover,chinese wysteria,amur honeysuckle,spiderwort,pollen,foraging," border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tl773dNRhrLiRGillGO-JePVu2CYdIwI6LQmPJP0mCMZEr2o7gbnmd69wAeY54Fd_ay8vsRZWS1Pjy-S7qr8jSxcO0RmNPXQzbQOYSmUPm81WeA97u9BlD0Dt21UZra2aAYthdvCaPvscB4lQyuic3ig2JTwLGBUsVejFqToeS1TE9-p9JdS6t_V/w400-h400/IMG_2767.JPG" title="tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '22" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku_645Ppfw9XUhvTTKYeH3OhQgC2Z8fZlxMkAMH8e9fZu17517OX8Pj26g6Y0HndYIjgELnRvtssTjARDuNRhyPlKvClxp6ikin-4LYNyzH-azwFYWXjJ7HnfQ2YyBUO_YaF4u8xY55m3EE5tJuo7W8_cznuJc7nOwPHbV9a7W1X7S8dLor1MuuZy/s2129/IMG_2826.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="beekeeping,bee,tulip poplar,white clover,chinese wysteria,amur honeysuckle,spiderwort,pollen,foraging," border="0" data-original-height="2129" data-original-width="2127" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiku_645Ppfw9XUhvTTKYeH3OhQgC2Z8fZlxMkAMH8e9fZu17517OX8Pj26g6Y0HndYIjgELnRvtssTjARDuNRhyPlKvClxp6ikin-4LYNyzH-azwFYWXjJ7HnfQ2YyBUO_YaF4u8xY55m3EE5tJuo7W8_cznuJc7nOwPHbV9a7W1X7S8dLor1MuuZy/w400-h400/IMG_2826.JPG" title="tulip poplar windfall and other spring flowers '22" width="400" /> </a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><style type="text/css">
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<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead><tr class="tableizer-firstrow"><th>1st Windfall</th><th>day of year</th></tr></thead><tbody>
<tr><td>April 10, 2011</td><td>100</td></tr>
<tr><td>March 27, 2012</td><td>87</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 19, 2013</td><td>109</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 12, 2015</td><td>102</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 15, 2017</td><td>105</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 5, 2018</td><td>95</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 11, 2019</td><td>101</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 7, 2021</td><td>97</td></tr>
<tr><td>April 6, 2022</td><td>96</td></tr>
<tr><td> </td><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>median</td><td>100</td></tr>
</tbody></table><p>I found this year's first Tulip Popular flower windfall on April 6, 2022 (96th day of the year) and in a few days afterward the ground was covered with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pollen_sources" target="_blank">Tulip Popular flowers</a> and bees returned with <b><span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="background-color: black;">cream colored pollen</span></span></b>. April 6 is just a few days earlier than expected. However March 27, 2012 is the big outlier, nearly 2 weeks earlier than expected.<br /></p><p>Other nectar sources at this time (not shown):<br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.gardenia.net/guide/how-to-choose-the-right-wisteria" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chinese Wysteria</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (invasive)<br /></span></li><li><a href="https://bees.msu.edu/white-clover/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">White Clover</span></a></li><li><a href="https://bugwoodcloud.org/CDN/sceppc/publications/TradescantiaArticleSCNLA.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Spiderwort</span></a></li><li><a href="https://extension.psu.edu/shrub-honeysuckles" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Amur Honeysuckle</span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (invasive)<br /></span></li></ul>
George Andlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16519840208669929494noreply@blogger.com0