{"id":95,"date":"2019-06-29T15:56:18","date_gmt":"2019-06-29T13:56:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.beefree.es\/?p=95"},"modified":"2019-11-06T20:25:47","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T19:25:47","slug":"healthy-microfauna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.resistantbees.es\/?p=95","title":{"rendered":"Healthy microfauna in the bee hive – imperative!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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bee lice on bees<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The microfauna consists of various insects (more than 40!)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are many things we know little about in the bee colony. For example the micro fauna. All these, at least 40 is mentioned, small organisms, mites and insects of different kinds that also live in the bee colony beside the honeybees. At least one of them eat fungi mycellium and is said to help keep chalk brood down.<\/p>\n

How much this microfauna contribute to the varroa and virus resistance we don\u2019t know. But it\u2019s not unlikely it does in at least some respect.<\/p>\n

Therefore it\u2019s positive if this micro fauna is present in as normal degree as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

And we know that at least acids and pesticides wipe out the microfauna as well as the target mites, so that\u2019s an additional reason not to use these chemicals. But if they have been used in an effi cient way for many years one can wonder if there is any microfauna left at all. This may pose a problem in getting as normal an environment as possible. It is probably wise in a breeding project to try to get as many bee colonies to start with which has been treated as little as possible. Maybe get a feral colony or a few from someone that we know havn\u2019t used chemicals, at least some colonies, from which bees and combs can be distributed among the bee colonies that will be used to select among. In coming years hopefully the microfauna will get back to normal status.<\/p>\n

A good example is the completely harmless\u00a0bee louse<\/a>\u00a0that disappeared completely from the hives.\u00a0In our colonies who never came into contact with chemicals, the bee louse is always present.<\/strong>\u00a0Who knows what she plays a role in the hive. (Photo bee lice on bees)<\/span><\/p>\n

In Germany they have not had as evident positive experiences from small cell size concerning survivability, as from other places. This is interesting and if this experience is confi med during the coming years (still those in Germany working with small cell size state that it has evident advantages also concerning survivability).<\/p>\n

There may be something special in the German environment in comparison with Arizona, Wyoming, Cyprus and Norway.<\/p>\n

Remember we are dealing with all these reports we have as if they are true, and no fakes (we can\u2019t find any reason why they should be fakes). We have found a couple of possible relevant differences that may help to explain. For 25 years there has been a very effi cient and intense use of different chemicals(including more and more acids) in all or almost all the bee colonies in Germany. This has most probably wiped out the micro fauna, that is otherwise present in a normal bee colony. It also has caused accumulation of miticide residues in the wax. The micro fauna in the bee colonies consists of many different insect like organisms. More than 40 it is said. One is recognized to eat fungi mycellium. And who knows what role they all play in the immune system of the bee colony.<\/p>\n

Many miticide residues in the wax has negative consequences on the nerve system of the bee as many miticides used are nerve posions. We don\u2019t know enough of the effects of such residues and eventual synergetic effects with residues from drugs sprayed on crops.<\/p>\n

from\u00a0“Introductionary study for breeding Varroa resistant bees.” Erik \u00d6sterlund<\/a><\/p>\n

pseudoscorpion eats Varroa mites<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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