Platform for beekeeping practice and know-how

The queen has a lifespan of 4–5 years. This may seem long. However, it takes 1–2 years to identify a valuable queen and select her for (re)production. To preserve this queen for as long as possible, her egg laying must be managed carefully, as it depends on the number of spermatozoa present in her spermatheca. Various techniques make it possible to modulate egg laying: colony size, the surface of empty cells, the population of young bees, protein resources …

by ALAIN SATABIN

As early as Antiquity, mathematicians observed that the shape of honeycomb cells in beehives optimizes the ratio between available volume and the amount of wax used. Demonstrating this, however, is another matter … one that has still not been fully resolved.

This study entitled “Safeguarding pollinators and their values to human well-being” estimates that “75%
of major crops – cereals, fruits – depend on pollination by animal species”. Their disappearance would lead to a loss of 5 to 8% of global agricultural production, which would trigger an increase in potential resurgences of diseases linked to our dietary balance (heart disease) and would increase “by 1.4 million per year, the number of additional deaths”.

American foulbrood is a bacterial disease. Under optimal conditions, the bacteria multiply by cell division. When conditions become unfavourable, spores are formed that remain infectious for decades. These highly infectious spores are distributed within the colony in the brood nest through the cleaning and maintenance activities of worker bees. Infection by spores occurs via the royal jelly on which larvae feed during the first 48 hours of their life. Adult bees are not infected but can act as carriers of the pathogen. A completely dried larva forming a crust may contain more than 2 billion spores.

All colonies in an apiary—whether production colonies or young colonies—should be strong and dynamic. This significantly reduces the risk of disease and offers not only better yield prospects but also requires less investment of time and money.

For this reason, small but healthy colonies should be maintained by combining them in spring or autumn with a stronger colony. This regrouping also increases the propensity for honey flow in spring and allows for a safe replacement of the queen within the colonies. In late autumn, when the bees have already formed their winter cluster, a colony should comprise at least five well-filled frames. If this is not the case, the colonies must be combined. A strong colony has much better chances of surviving the winter.

Honey bee colonies meet their requirements for proteins and mineral salts by consuming pollen. They therefore need an adequate supply of pollen. How much pollen do honey bee colonies collect each year? This article attempts to answer that question.

Every beekeeper is required to indicate the following information on each jar of honey sold (ODAIOUs Art. 26, food labelling ordinance, OEDAI):

When a bee changes its role in the hive, its DNA adapts

Bees each perform a specific but flexible role within the hive. Older individuals may, if necessary, take over tasks usually carried out by younger bees. Until now, it was unknown that such behavioural changes are accompanied by adaptations at the DNA level. Each role is in fact associated with its own distinct methylation pattern.

The Asian hornet has continued its expansion since its arrival in France 20 years ago.

In 2024, it has reached the borders of Valais, and the Saint-Maurice gorge will most likely not constitute an insurmountable barrier for this highly well-adapted invader.

Pollinators use precise cues to identify flowers rich in pollen or nectar: colour, scent … Researchers have discovered that bees are also sensitive to temperature variations between different parts of a flower. These “thermal patterns” enable them to locate the flowers richest in food.

This contagious disease of the honey bee is caused by SBV, the abbreviation of its English name Sacbrood Bee Virus. It is present worldwide and generally affects capped brood, leading to more or less significant mortality of prepupae, which may result in colony weakening.

This disease is characterised by the typical sac-like appearance of the prepupae killed by the virus. Infected adult bees show no symptoms (they are asymptomatic carriers) but constitute reservoirs of the virus.

A bee colony requires tranquillity throughout the beekeeping season, and probably even more so during the winter months. If an overly curious beekeeper opens the hive indiscriminately, the constantly disturbed colony becomes stressed. The behaviour of this superorganism changes: energy consumption increases, the reserves of its valuable fat body are depleted, immune defences against varroa and the viruses it transmits are inhibited, the development of the worker population and brood slows down, and the colony ultimately collapses into a vicious downward spiral (► Infernal cascade: Chronicle of a foretold death).

Most bee races do not leave the hive if the outside temperature is below 10 to 12 °C.

Hives should not be opened if the temperature is below 15 °C. If an inspection lasts too long, there is a risk of chilling the brood, which can lead to its death or to diseases. Calm movements are essential, and one should never lose control of the situation!

The parasitic mite is decimating beehives. Biologist Paul Page has shown that an Asian forager has found a countermeasure through a system of “altruistic suicide.” A model that its European cousin could follow?

As will be clear, effective control of varroa relies on anticipation rather than on reaction alone. The objective is to keep infestation levels low throughout the season in order to preserve the colony and prevent a high parasitic and viral load. Particular emphasis is placed on protecting the winter bees so as to ensure that the colony can restart under the best possible conditions. Above all, the strategy must be adapted to the season in progress. Each year is unique, and climatic variations require increasing adaptability in order to keep varroa under control.

The ITSAP (http://blog-itsap.fr/) participated in a European trial on the brood interruption technique in varroa control, which aimed to quantify efficacy, the impact on colony development, and the practicality of different approaches, whether combined or not with the use of oxalic acid. Here is a summary of the results and discussion of the scientific article (Büchler et al.) published this year in the Journal of Apicultural Research.

(by Jean-Michel Normand)

Is it because it provides honey and wax? Or because its sophisticated organisation strangely echoes human societies? Or perhaps because of a character that is at once fierce and disciplined, making its domestication uncertain, or because of the way it positions itself at the confluence of the plant and animal worlds. Protean and tinged with mystery, the fascination exerted by the bee has endured for millennia, albeit with periods of interruption.

The major concern of beekeepers at present, in our regions, is the approach of a disease coming from the East […] [known as] varroosis. […] It is a parasite that feeds on the blood of bees, which die from exhaustion. First detected in Siberia, the disease is spreading across the whole of Eurasia; it appeared in Russia, then in Eastern European countries, and has reached the Federal Republic of Germany. France and Switzerland are currently spared. Bees are not imported from countries affected by the scourge, which makes it possible to delay (or even halt?) the advance of the disease.

L’impartial, 23 March 1983.

Although the wax moth has a very bad reputation, beekeeping manuals often underestimate the damage caused by the larvae of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella and the lesser wax moth Achroea grisella, which consume everything that comes within reach of their mandibles (wax, food reserves, pollen stores, wood, polystyrene—not to mention the brood!). It is commonly assumed that strong colonies can defend themselves very easily against wax moths … but this is not always the case. In fact, wax moths reproduce very rapidly, and the larvae of the greater wax moth feed on capped brood, sheltered from counter-attacks by worker bees. As a result, the bee population may decline, as may the colony’s defences against this formidable pest. Selection for overly gentle bees and the pheromonal mimicry of the wax moth, which imitates queen pheromones, can ultimately lead to colony collapse.

Despite these harmful effects, it should be emphasised that wax moths fulfil an important hygienic function, especially in the context of “poor” beekeeping practices. They destroy abandoned bee nests and return the recovered materials to the natural cycle. In this way, pathogens responsible for diseases such as American foulbrood and European foulbrood are also eliminated.

The Institute of Apicultural Research at the University of Hohenheim has discovered an active substance against varroa: lithium chloride.

This is very good news, although the active substance—before being placed on the market as a medicinal product for bees—must of course undergo further testing to determine the optimal dosage and to rule out side effects for bees and users as well as the risk of residues. It will therefore still take some time before varroa control can be optimised.

For millions of years, bees have ensured the survival of their species through swarming. Swarming is a natural process whose main objective is to create new, healthy and genetically diverse colonies (the males that will mate with the virgin queen in a new territory have a different genetic background). Beekeepers, however, want colonies that develop well and become strong without swarming. A colony with swarming intent (swarming fever) no longer builds comb and collects little nectar. The summer harvest is often lost. How can this swarming fever be suppressed? A new method developed by the Sion Beekeeping Association (www.ApiSion.ch) appears promising.

In the hive, as we have seen, water serves multiple purposes: it is indispensable for both mature and immature individuals and also enables bees to regulate the nest climate during periods of high heat. As water is hardly stored within the hive, it must be brought in from outside as needs arise. This task is carried out by water carriers, specialised foragers that continue their work even under adverse conditions.
 

Good beekeeping practice: At the end of July, the beekeeper removes the honey harvested from the super and prepares the colony for winter (feeding and treatments). The previously large colony that occupied both the brood chamber and the super suddenly becomes cramped once the super is removed, and the old forager bees will disappear in the weeks that follow. A simple method makes it possible to give these bees a second life by creating summer nuclei.

Since antiquity, honey has been consumed for its sweetening properties and used for its therapeutic effects. Today, it has largely been supplanted in the diet by beet sugar. In medicine, however, its bactericidal and wound-healing effects on chronic wounds are being rediscovered. Beeswax is favoured by cosmetic manufacturers, while royal jelly and propolis are recognised in dietetics. The history of the use of honey and products of the beehive is fascinating.

The bee dance is a term used in apiculture and ethology to describe a system of animal communication by which foraging or scouting bees (on average 5 to 25 % of the foragers, which are the oldest and most experienced; the others act as receivers waiting for the scout’s signal) convey to the receivers remaining in the colony the distance and direction of the food source where they can obtain the nectar and pollen from flowers required for honey production.

The wax moth is not considered a disease. In nature, wax moths play an important role by destroying old, abandoned combs, which are potential sources of pathogens. Attracted by odours, wax moth adults enter hives and lay their eggs there. The resulting larvae feed on pollen residues and on cocoon remnants that remain at the bottom of the cells.

The black locust or false acacia, known by its scientific name Robinia pseudoacacia, is an exotic plant that was introduced from North America in the 17th century. This tree, which can reach up to 25 metres in height and live for as long as 300 years, has spread easily throughout Switzerland, as it adapts to all types of soil and is resistant to pollution, to the point of sometimes being considered invasive; however, it is not found above 800 metres in altitude.

The structure used to house bees has evolved considerably over time. Early beekeepers used pottery vessels, hollow walls, sections of tree trunks, or woven baskets, sometimes covered with dried earth. A few examples of these systems are still in use, but the framed hive system has gradually become the standard.

The eggs laid by the queen pass through several developmental stages. The first, which lasts barely three days, is the most critical, as it corresponds to the development of the nervous and digestive systems of the larva inside the egg. After hatching, the larval stage begins with the emergence of a larva without antennae, eyes, legs, or wings, which is fed exclusively on a diet of royal jelly for three days.

(Photo: kleinewelt)

The production of F1 hybrid lines requires substantial prior selection work on pure lines from different populations, followed by crossbreeding tests of these pure lines. To achieve a maximal heterosis effect (see below), these lines must be highly distinct (by crossing different genetic pools, such as formerly geographically isolated origins). In addition, the desired traits must be introducible, which presupposes the availability of what geneticists refer to as a “reservoir of variability.”

Biotechnical control methods are increasingly being promoted in the fight against varroosis. Among these, techniques that induce significant interruptions in brood development are often discussed. However, such methods are still rarely used by beekeepers, except on an experimental basis. This article analyses the relevance of brood interruption and the different techniques derived from it.

Giant hogweed, whose scientific name is Heracleum mantegazzianum, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae) family. Native to the Caucasus and introduced into Europe in the 19th century for ornamental purposes and for its melliferous properties, it is now considered an invasive species on our continent.

Formic acid (Formivar) is highly corrosive. Its handling requires great caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant gloves and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

The different bee races are determined using biometric traits (coloration, indices, etc.) as well as molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear). Defining races allows us to understand the biogeography of the honey bee.

The creation of an artificial swarm involves certain mechanisms that are essential for bee health and, above all, reduce varroa infestation. At least 1 kg of bees is taken from a colony together with the queen. The parent colony raises queen cells from its brood, or a reared queen cell is introduced. As a result, both colonies are broodless and can be treated effectively against varroa.

A pheromone is a chemical substance secreted by an organism which, when perceived or received by another organism of the same species, triggers a specific reaction or an evolutionary biological process (ApiWiki).

Heathers are small, bushy shrubs belonging to the Ericaceae family that grow on nutrient-poor soils. There are many species – several hundred – whose flowering periods extend almost throughout the entire year: June to August for Erica tetralix, June to October for Erica cinerea, June to December for Erica arborea, August to October for Calluna vulgaris, September to November for Erica multifolia, November to April or February to July for Erica carnea, etc.

The quality of syrups used for winter feeding of bees is very often at the centre of lively discussions.
What should be the main qualities of a syrup:

• A composition close to that of honey
• Easily assimilated by the bee
• Requiring minimal energy for conversion and storage
• Good solubility (no crystallisation)
• Good stability (no fermentation)
• High purity and appropriate viscosity

Regular inspection of colonies makes it possible to identify potential health problems at an early stage and to implement planned and targeted measures. It is essential to check and assess colonies at least in spring (when grape hyacinths are in bloom), in summer (between the summer honey harvest and the first summer treatment), and in October (before overwintering).

Sanitising a colony heavily infested with varroa within one day. The technique applied corresponds to that of artificial swarms with a queen, in which the colony is transferred to a hive with new frames.

The art of economy (Janine Kevits)

Winter represents a formidable challenge for fauna, as it must cope both with cold temperatures and with food scarcity. Some insects have “chosen” to avoid it by migrating to warmer regions; this is the case, for example, of the painted lady butterfly. Others concentrate their chances of survival on a few individuals—reproductives that are abundantly nourished during the favorable season and whose task is to found a new colony on their own the following spring; this is the strategy of wasps, hornets, and other solitary bees. The honey bee, by contrast, has found a different path: it is the powerful organization of the colonies it forms that enables it to meet this challenge, by implementing two means that are entirely original in the insect world—on the one hand, the storage of reserves, and on the other, the reorganization of the colony to form the winter cluster, a system characterized by the absence of brood and by modes of functioning that differ fundamentally from those of the summer colony.

The introduction of queens always entails a significant risk for the introduced queen. Some publications report failure rates of up to 50 %. For successful acceptance, all conditions must be optimal. The highest success rates are achieved when a young colony with a young queen is combined with an older colony. In general, favourable conditions must be deliberately created in order for a colony to accept an introduced queen.

Last year, the publication of specialised articles on the contamination and adulteration of beeswax shook the beekeeping community. Among beekeepers, awareness has grown regarding the importance of the condition of wax: indeed, both the quality of our products and, of course, the health of our colonies depend on it (1).

By Claude Pfefferlé and Serge Imboden

Long regarded as a model of uninterrupted activity, the honey bee nevertheless continues to surprise researchers. Recent studies have revealed that it sleeps, and that this sleep plays an essential role in regulating its memory, physiology, and group cohesion. Understanding how and why bees sleep is to open a window onto the health of the hive—and onto the balance of life itself.

To unravel the mysteries of crystallization, the authors explore the world of science and delve into the heart of the product: principles of chemistry and physics, together with a measure of common sense, are essential to understand it and to highlight the different factors that can influence it.

The bee’s mini brain, which contains about 10⁶ cells (10¹¹ in humans), enables it not only to manage stereotyped behaviors such as foraging, but also—thanks to its plasticity—to adapt and allow the insect to respond to new problems through often complex learning. The bee’s brain is capable of providing “intelligent” solutions to a wide range of ecological or other problems, as is the case in vertebrates and in humans.

Mower-conditioners provide valuable services for intensive forage production because the grass dries more quickly and thus yields forage richer in nutrients. However, for bees and other small creatures such as spiders, these machines are deadly.

During foraging, honey bees exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities. However, pesticides and heavy metals disrupt neuronal communication, impair foraging behaviour, and ultimately place the entire colony at risk.

Le centre de compétence et de prestations de services apiservice a été créé début 2013 en tant que filiale d’apisuisse, organisation interprofessionnelle des apicultrices et apiculteurs suisses. apiservice exploite en premier lieu le Service sanitaire apicole (SSA), s’engage en matière de formation, dirige le service spécialisé Elevage et soutient l’association faîtière apisuisse dans d’autres domaines.

Bees do not close their eyes throughout their lives. Nevertheless, their activities are influenced by an intracerebral protein (pigment-dispersing factor, PDF), which enables them, among other things, to orient themselves in relation to the position of the sun.

This is a time of rest, and the key word is peace

Depending on the region, there may still be some fine days during which warmed bees will fly out. Then the long overwintering period begins. In the cluster, bees huddle around their queen. They take turns moving to the surface of the cluster, thereby sharing the energy expenditure.

In the honey bee, as in all insects, the haemolymph fills the entire internal cavity protected by the cuticle. This cavity is called the haemocoel. There is no network of veins and arteries: the organs are bathed in the haemolymph, which supplies the organism with the necessary components. It is referred to as an extracellular fluid. A long tubular vessel, the heart, pumps the haemolymph and ensures the circulation of the fluid throughout the organism.

(By Jean Riondet)

The question of feeding is recurring: in spring to stimulate colonies and to have strong populations at the time of the first nectar flows, then during the season in periods of dearth, and finally to ensure winter stores.

Any decision to feed colonies must be carefully considered, taking the season into account, have a specific purpose, and the ingredients must be well chosen so as to answer the questions properly: when ?, why ?, how ?

As its name suggests, May disease generally occurs in May, but it may also appear as early as April or somewhat later, in June. It mainly affects nurse bees when they do not have sufficient water to digest pollen. Cold weather accompanied by dry northeasterly winds favours the onset of the disease. In addition to water shortage, the bacterium Spiroplasma apis or certain types of pollen may also trigger May disease. Scientists assume that the disease is caused by a combination of different factors.

Observation at the hive entrance makes it possible to draw numerous conclusions about the health status of a bee colony. Especially in spring, it is important to assess colonies in this way. Anomalies indicate the aspects that require particular attention during the next colony inspection or when an additional examination becomes necessary. Observation at the hive entrance also helps to avoid interventions within the colony under unfavorable weather conditions.

Beekeepers use many methods to unite bee colonies, and some very violent ones demonstrate a clear lack of respect for the bees. The only advantage of such methods is their speed, but they pay little attention to what happens to the queens, the foragers, and the bees in general. The gentlest and most commonly used method is very probably the “superposition” method. This procedure is relatively simple, accessible to both beginner and experienced beekeepers, and if the few rules discussed in this article are respected, the uniting of colonies should proceed without any problems.

Over the past year, articles dealing with the falsification of wax have frequently been published in the specialist press. The damage includes the collapse of combs, patchy brood patterns on newly built combs, and bees becoming trapped during emergence. The cause of these problems is the addition of stearin, paraffin, or other organic substances. Pesticide residues can also cause damage. As is known from experience with mothballs, there is likewise a risk that undesirable chemical additives in the wax may later appear in the honey.

by ELIZABETH TIBBETTS AND ADRIAN DYER

Recognizing the facial features of conspecifics does not require a brain as complex as one might imagine: some insects, notably bees, are remarkably adept at this.

An artificial swarm can reduce the varroa population. To this end, young bees must be taken from one or more colonies. Depending on the season, an artificial swarm should consist of 1 to 3 kg of young bees.

For a long time, scientists believed that an organism’s genetic code alone determined its biological characteristics, its development, and its adaptation to its environment. Under the influence of various chemical or “external” factors, epigenetics can not only modify an organism’s appearance or behaviour, but can also transmit some of these modifications to subsequent generations…

The honey bee is the fifth insect and the first hymenopteran whose genome has been fully sequenced. The DNA analysis was based on males originating from a single queen obtained from the Bee Weaver apiaries in Texas. Since the project began, approximately 14 million individual reads were required to reconstruct the 236 million base pairs that constitute the nearly complete honey bee genome.

In the event of heavy hornet infestation or as a protective measure against mice.

The parasite capable of chemically mimicking two bee species

Researchers from the Institute for Research on Insect Biology (CNRS/Université François Rabelais de Tours) and the “Bees and Environment” laboratory of Inra, in collaboration with American and Chinese colleagues⁽¹⁾, have shown that Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of bees that is able to imitate the chemical composition of the cuticle⁽²⁾ of its host, can also modify this composition depending on the species it parasitises. This remarkable adaptive capacity could explain how this parasite of the Asian honey bee was able to colonise the European honey bee during the 20th century, thereby contributing to the decline of the species. These findings were published on 3 June 2015 in the journal Biology Letters.

One might assume that asexual reproduction leads to an evolutionary dead end, with the accumulation of deleterious mutations ultimately resulting in species extinction. Recent studies show that this is not the case, and the drone provides a well-studied example. The particular case of reproduction in Varroa destructor is illuminating: these mites exhibit fewer deleterious mutations than other sexually reproducing insects …

Examples of asexual reproduction in certain animals include: the hammerhead shark, the leopard shark, the sawfish, the sea anemone, the Komodo dragon, the gecko, the aphid, the scale insect …

The bee is an insect belonging to the order Hymenoptera (together with wasps, ants, etc.). Hymenopterans are equipped with two pairs of wings, three pairs of legs, and articulated appendages. Their body is composed of three distinct parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen.

Deciduous, monoecious, wind-pollinated shrub or tree. The pendulous male inflorescences consist of numerous small individual flowers. The small female flowers are enclosed in a bud from which only the red stigmas protrude and develop into oval, woody hazelnuts.

The dandelion, scientifically known as Taraxacum officinale and commonly referred to as “dandelion,” is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is a perennial herbaceous plant (living for several years) that is widely distributed across a wide range of habitats, particularly on nutrient-rich soils, in lowlands as well as in mountainous regions up to elevations of about 2,500 m. Flowering begins in April and reaches its peak in May, but continues at a lower intensity into autumn, especially during dry and warm summers.

The Asian hornet, Vespa velutina, was first observed in France in 2004 by a horticulturist in the Lot-et-Garonne region who was importing bonsai pots from China. However, it was not until autumn 2005 that it was identified by scientists; its presence was officially reported in early 2006 once its establishment had been confirmed.

Oxalic acid is harmful to health and highly irritating. It must be handled with the utmost caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant rubber gloves, an FFP2 protective mask, and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

The adaptive strategies of imitation make mimicry a model of a complex coevolutionary mechanism involving a first species acting as a model (e.g. Apis cerana) and a second, imitating species (e.g. Varroa destructor), very often parasitic. Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of bees, has the ability to mimic the chemical composition of its host’s cuticle; moreover, it is also capable of modifying this composition according to the species it parasitizes.

Our bee populations are not always able to defend themselves against diseases and pests on their own. They therefore rely on you, beekeepers, to support them. In this regard, the fact sheets developed by the Bee Health Service (BHS) can be a valuable resource.

Formic acid (Formivar) is highly corrosive. Its handling requires great caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

Saffron, a highly valued culinary spice, consists of the dried stigmas of a crocus species, Crocus sativus, also known as cultivated saffron. It is a perennial herbaceous bulb plant whose flower has six tepals (tepals = floral organs similar to petals), which are mauve with violet streaks.

The beekeeping calendar presented below was created by a hobby beekeeper using his own approach. The tasks to be carried out each month depend strongly on the region, altitude, type of hive, type of bees, and many other factors. This calendar was designed to help beginners in our association and our region manage their first hives throughout the year and to provide answers to the questions they may have from month to month.

Winter is undoubtedly the most demanding period for bees. However, nature has provided so-called “winter bees” with characteristics that enable them to withstand the rigours of the cold season. Winter bees have larger fat reserves than summer bees, they possess a more developed hair covering that provides natural insulation, and the contraction of the thoracic muscles generates a significantly greater release of heat than in summer bees. Their constitution, together with their behaviour, allows them to live longer and to cope with the harsh conditions of winter.

Sea buckthorn, whose scientific name is Hippophae rhamnoides, is an evergreen plant belonging to the botanical family Elaeagnaceae. This hardy and highly ornamental shrub, which can reach a height of up to 4 metres, has a densely branched stem with thorny shoots on which small, fleshy, orange-coloured berries develop, resulting from the development of the floral receptacle after fertilisation.

The midday nucleus is a specific type of nucleus. It is suitable for strong colonies and can be used with all types of hives. It is not necessary to locate the queen in order to form a midday nucleus.

What is the approximate brood volume as a function of the queen’s egg-laying capacity? How many brood frames does the queen need in order to lay eggs without space limitation?

A nightmare for some, an opportunity for others, an incredible hope for visionaries, the wax moth is an insect that intrigues all those interested in its evolution and its perfect adaptation to the hive and its superorganism. There are therefore three ways of viewing the wax moth: the beekeeper fears the damage it causes in hives; the entomologist marvels at the undertaker role played by the insect; researchers, for their part, focus on its highly ecological ability to digest highly polluting plastic. So what is this curious moth?

Reconnaître les maladies des abeilles et connaître les méthodes de lutte et de prévention effi caces sont des conditions sine qua non pour garantir la santé des abeilles et pour une bonne pratique apicole. Les maladies se propagent non seulement très rapidement à l’intérieur des ruches en raison des contacts physiques entre ouvrières et de la trophallaxie (échange de nourriture entre abeilles), mais aussi entre les ruches. Les abeilles pouvant voler sur de grandes distances, piller les colonies voisines ou y dériver, le risque qu’un grand nombre de colonies et de ruchers soit touché par une maladie ou une épizootie est important. Si l’on ajoute à cela le déplacement des ruches par l’apiculteur et la haute densité de ruchers en Suisse, la prévention des épizooties et des maladies est encore plus importante chez l’abeille que chez les autres animaux de rente qui peuvent être mis en quarantaine plus facilement.

The winter survival of bee colonies is a topic that divides beekeepers because of contradictions, preconceptions, hypotheses and differing viewpoints. The experienced beekeeper relies on experience and closely monitors weather variations from November to March in order to estimate the timing of the resumption of egg laying by the queen and the volume of brood that must be kept warm. The beginner beekeeper, by contrast, is confronted with the questions raised by worried colleagues: should colonies be fed during winter or not?

The implementation of a sentinel bee project, through its epidemiological dimension, constitutes the only approach capable of shedding light on the causes of the significant losses that have been affecting bee populations for nearly twenty years. Moreover, such a project makes it possible to assess the state of the environment in which colonies live—an environment that is also our own—in which the bee, owing to its sensitivity to toxic contaminants, plays an early warning role.

This fact sheet provides guidance on assessing bee health. Regular monitoring of colonies makes it possible to identify potential health problems at an early stage and to implement planned and targeted measures. It is essential to check and assess colonies at least in spring (when grape hyacinths are in bloom), in summer (between the summer honey harvest and the first summer treatment), and in October (before overwintering).

Those who have already used the excuse that “housekeeping is not in my DNA” to try to avoid this chore may not have been entirely wrong. Indeed, at least in honey bees, certain shortcomings in hive hygiene appear to be linked to the overexpression of genes that impairs the detection of odors released by diseased or dead larvae.

<p><strong>by&nbsp;R. Prasad</strong></p>

<p>The defense of a society often requires certain specialized members to coordinate in order to repel a threat at the risk of their lives. This is particularly true for honey bees, which defend the hive and may sacrifice their lives when stinging. At the core of this cooperative defensive response lies the sting alarm pheromone, whose main component is isoamyl acetate (IAA).</p>
 

The activity of insects, which are cold-blooded animals, is determined by ambient temperature. Their muscles require a minimum level of heat; if this threshold is not met, all activity ceases. To avoid this potentially lethal phenomenon in winter, insects have developed resistance strategies, most commonly through hibernation.

The articles proposed by experienced beekeepers for the training of younger colleagues remind us that colonies should be carefully insulated for overwintering.

However, a recent German study reports that there is no advantage, in terms of brood initiation or colony development in spring, associated with sophisticated insulation of the colony. The dogma of insulating the winter cluster is thus being challenged. By discovering the precision of the winter cluster’s thermoregulation, the inquisitive beekeeper is prompted to reflect on their beekeeping practices.

The drone is the male of the honey bee and the largest insect in the colony. It has a stocky build, with a thorax covered in hair. It is recognisable by its head topped with two large, globular eyes and a pair of antennae; its abdomen is rounded, and its flight is relatively loud and ungainly. Its primary role is to transmit its mother’s genetic heritage during mating.

October, the month of winter preparation

Autumn is the period of active preparation for wintering, both on the part of the bees and of the beekeeper, who is concerned about the well-being of the colonies.

A first treatment was carried out after the harvest, in the absence of honey supers, using formic acid or strips. A second treatment was administered at the beginning of September. Varroa drop was counted and does not exceed 1 per day. The objective is to overwinter colonies with fewer than 50 varroa mites per hive.

 

For millions of years, honey bees have ensured the persistence of the species through swarming. Swarming is a process in which a colony divides into two populations. The resident queen leaves the hive, accompanied by a large proportion of workers of all ages, to form a swarm that quickly clusters into a tight ball. The swarm leaves behind in the original hive the nest with emerging brood, about one third of the workers, and queen cells ready to hatch. A young queen will replace the old one, and the re-formed colony will begin its development…

The organs of the digestive system of the honey bee enable the assimilation of food. Certain glands are associated with the digestive system while also fulfilling peripheral functions, such as the production of nutritive substances or supporting food assimilation.

Adherence to recommended treatment regimens against Varroa destructor improves the winter survival of honey bee colonies. Key findings:

• Compliance of beekeepers with recommended control measures against the mite Varroa destructor was assessed.
• Mite infestation levels and honey bee colony mortality were measured to evaluate the impact of compliance.
• Non-compliance resulted in higher mite infestation rates and increased colony mortality.
• A colony had up to a 25-fold higher risk of death when it was not treated as recommended.
• Communicating the impact of deviations from recommendations improves compliance.

There is a simple and fairly reliable method for adjusting (calibrating) the refractometer: using extra virgin olive oil.
According to a test conducted by Dr. Werner von der Ohe from the Bee Institute in Celle, calibration of the refractometer with extra virgin olive oil at a temperature of 20 ºC is possible. Tests using three different extra virgin olive oils showed a maximum deviation of 0.08 % (see the article published below in ADIZ – die biene – Imkerfreund).

“On Saint Arsenius’ day, put your seeds away in a dry place.”
July is the month of the last honey harvest and of the summer chemical treatment against Varroa. It is often a very hot month, when water is scarce and flowering becomes limited. Bees are thirsty and may also start to draw on their reserves. For the beekeeper, activity remains very intense and will partly determine how the rest of the season unfolds.

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a feared pest of honey bee colonies; both adults and larvae feed on honey, pollen, and preferably brood. European countries had so far been considered free of the small hive beetle. Reports from September 2014 concerning the detection of Aethina tumida in southern Italy are alarming and also require increased vigilance from Swiss beekeepers, as well as regular inspection of their own bee colonies.

The combs are also referred to as the “skeleton” of the bee colony and thus constitute a central element of the superorganism formed by the colony. They serve as sites for larval rearing and for the storage of food, honey, and pollen, and they also transmit vibrations used for communication within the colony.

To protect the health of local bees, it is recommended to purchase bees of Swiss origin. Local beekeepers should be encouraged to sell surplus colonies in order to avoid bee imports as much as possible. Nevertheless, if bees are imported, veterinary and customs regulations must be strictly complied with.

Bee packages – all similar, yet very different in their composition and use.

The preparation of bee packages is not a common practice in beekeeping, as it requires specific expertise that is rarely taught in beekeeping schools. Many online videos fail to provide all the information surrounding this technique, which often leads to unsuccessful outcomes when beekeepers attempt to put it into practice.

Some acaricides used in alternative control strategies against Varroa, such as formic acid or essential oils, do not always provide sufficient efficacy. As complementary measures, we recommend the removal of drone brood or the establishment of young colonies in spring. These interventions aim to slow the development of Varroa populations and thereby reduce infestation pressure. They have the advantage of being applicable during the main beekeeping season, whereas the use of chemotherapy would entail significant risks of contaminating honey harvests.

Planning the beekeeping season makes it possible to prepare optimally for upcoming activities with our bees. Thanks to the operating concept developed by apiservice, this is easy to implement for all beekeepers. It is an indispensable tool for effective apiary management. The operating concept can be personalised and allows for a clear visualisation of beekeeping activities and the planning of the appropriate work.

► Personal operating concept

The poppy is an annual herbaceous plant with red flowers belonging to the family Papaveraceae. Very common in cereal fields since Neolithic times, it is now affected by the harmful effects of herbicides and is unfortunately becoming increasingly rare.

It is the first month of winter; cold and snow may sometimes be present. The hive entrances must be monitored and cleared of any snow that may have accumulated there.
 

by Sophie Bécherel

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in the cerebral reward system and the sensation of pleasure in mammals. While in humans dopamine is a key element in the mechanism of drug addiction, in bees this neurotransmitter is responsible for the departure of foragers from the hive, not only to satisfy their individual desire to feed, but also to search for food in order to meet a social need and provide the colony with the nutritional inputs it requires.

Based on the videoconference by Prof. Joseph Hemmerlé on 11.01.2025, School of Agriculture Châteauneuf / Sion

Swarming is a natural phenomenon at the core of honey bee colony dynamics. Through this process, part of the colony, led by the old queen, leaves the hive to establish a new nest. For beekeepers, swarming represents a challenge, but it also constitutes an opportunity for colony renewal. Thanks to the in-depth research and careful observations conducted by Professor Joseph Hemmerlé, it is possible to gain a better understanding of the biological, ethological, and environmental mechanisms underlying this fascinating behaviour.

Watch the video

Would it not be interesting to preserve the alleles of the most productive or most important queens after their death? It is therefore not surprising that the cryopreservation of drone semen has been the subject of research since the 1970s. The risk of losing natural biodiversity is another motivation for this research.

Under the screened bottoms of our hive floors, it is advisable to place a drawer. Various debris, poorly stored in the cells, end up on this board and can sometimes provide information without having to open the hive.

The tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), also known as the Japanese varnish tree, is a tree belonging to the family Simaroubaceae that can reach a height of 25 to 30 metres. It originates from East Asia and was deliberately introduced into Europe in the 18th century for ornamental purposes, but above all in connection with silk production, as the plant served as a food source for a moth, the ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia), which was intended to replace the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori).

Winter is receding; nights can still be cold, while days are warm, and a single night of frost can destroy all the blossoms of fruit trees. The warmth of the day and the length of sunshine should not lead to excessive optimism, as several consecutive days of rain can ruin flowering. Caution is therefore required: this is the month when colonies expand rapidly and the main work begins—spring inspection, stimulating comb building, monitoring swarming, and preparing queen rearing.

<p>Left or right? Like humans, bees also show a preference. Australian researchers have recently discovered that bees can have a left- or right-side preference—affecting their flight decisions in order to avoid obstacles.</p>

<p>The human brain consists of two hemispheres that are roughly symmetrical in terms of morphology. Functionally, however, there is marked asymmetry: most of us are right-handed, and everyday objects are designed for right-handed users—the pair of scissors, the tape measure, the computer mouse, the guitar, the graduated jug, the fold-down writing tablet attached to an auditorium chair, the stock of a hunting rifle, the boomerang… not to mention the convention of the handshake.</p>

<p>A recent study reveals that while 50% of bees are not lateralised, 25% are right-biased and 25% are left-biased. One hypothesis proposed to explain this phenomenon is that swarm flight strategies are optimised, thereby avoiding a proportion of collisions.</p>
 

When a beekeeper looks at the head of his bees and sees the two large, immobile compound eyes positioned on either side of the head, as well as the three ocelli located on the forehead or vertex, he inevitably asks himself the question: with these two large eyes, can my bees see the same things as I do, or do they perceive the world differently? And why are there additional eyes on the head?

It may happen, for example during the first spring inspection, that one encounters a moribund colony with no food reserves, with frames showing scattered brood of the male type … What has happened?

Figure 1: Drone-laying colony: very small population, scattered drone brood, no worker brood, low food reserves, no visible queen, deformed combs, drone cells.

Our hives are severely affected by winter mortality. This cannot be attributed solely to beekeeping practices—far from it; however, in such a context, the only thing the beekeeper can do is to implement everything possible to ensure that colonies have, from the very beginning of spring, the vitality required for a strong resumption of brood rearing. The time when bees could develop almost on their own is over, and we do not know whether it will ever return. We therefore need to refine our practices in order to give colonies the best possible chances. This means considering the entire economy of the hive, starting as early as the beginning of July.

Bees are remarkable animals. Did you know that they have existed for more than 65 million years (around 260 times longer than humans) and that they are the only insects in the world that produce a food consumed by humans without any processing.

The deformed wing disease virus (DWV) is one of the most widespread viruses in Apis mellifera and one of the least virulent. In the absence of facilitating factors, it causes only a covert infection, that is, an infection without clinical signs.

The collapse of a colony is most often multifactorial. Based on four cardinal factors (lack of food, toxins, cold stress, parasites), the colony is subjected to stress, resulting in a reduced immune response and the development of infectious diseases (viral infections and nosemosis).

Neonicotinoids are extremely ecotoxic pesticides. By infiltrating all environmental compartments, they indiscriminately kill both vertebrates and invertebrates. Despite their ban in 2018, traces of these substances persist in the environment at lethal concentrations.

By removing brood and bees, the varroa population is automatically reduced. A portion of brood from a strong colony is taken together with bees, but without the queen, and placed in a nucleus hive. The bees will then rear a queen themselves.

The disease is caused by a virus. The pathogen can multiply both in adult bees and in the brood. In contrast to elongated larvae or prepupae, which may become diseased and die, no clinical symptoms are visible in infected adult bees, but their lifespan is reduced.

Formic acid is highly corrosive. Its handling requires great caution. In all cases, protective goggles, acid-resistant gloves, and long-sleeved clothing must be worn.

A mesh screen prevents bees from climbing into the evaporator. This makes inspection easier.

Ellingsenius fulleri is the most frequently encountered pseudoscorpion species of the family Cheliferidae in South Africa. This arthropod is considered a predator of small mites and wax moth larvae found in debris at the bottom of beehives. They often attach themselves to the legs of bees and thus appear to spread to other colonies.

Four types of queen cells are distinguished :

1. Natural swarming queen cells
2. Emergency queen cells
3. Supersedure queen cells
4. Artificial queen cells

In beekeeping supply stores, frames are available pre-assembled with or without wax, as well as frames to be assembled. For a pre-assembled frame with wax, a minimum cost of CHF 10 should be expected.

Chalkbrood is a fungal disease that affects worker and drone brood. Contamination by spores occurs through larval feeding. The fungus germinates in the larval gut and spreads throughout the body in the form of filaments. The disease occurs mainly in weak colonies; it is promoted by sharp drops in temperature and high humidity. It may affect individual colonies or, under unfavourable weather conditions (cold, humidity), entire apiaries in the form of an epidemic. A site that is regularly and heavily affected by chalkbrood is considered unsuitable; hives should therefore be relocated to a sunnier location. Severe infestation can kill colonies.

Nature ensures the multiplication of colonies through swarming, but beekeepers prefer colonies that develop well and become strong without swarming. A colony that intends to swarm (swarming fever) stops building comb and collects little nectar. Swarms are often lost, especially for beekeepers whose apiaries are far away. In addition, a parent colony that has swarmed requires special attention and care. What can the beekeeper do?

Invasive plants are non-native plant species that have been introduced intentionally or accidentally by humans outside their area of origin and that reproduce and spread extensively, to the detriment of native species. Most often originating from other continents, they profoundly disrupt ecosystems and reduce local biological diversity.

Matthieu Guichard (Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, Bern) conducted a long-term study between 2010 and 2018 on approximately 1000 Carnica honey bee colonies and approximately 1000 Mellifera honey bee colonies, aiming to determine the heritability of various traits: honey yield, gentleness, comb adherence, swarming tendency, hygienic behaviour, and Varroa infestation.

Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) is a contagious disease that is transmitted mainly through direct contact and the exchange of food. Bees crowded tightly in the hive, prolonged periods of poor weather, long transports during migratory beekeeping, heavy forest nectar flows, and a high density of colonies in an environment with limited food supply appear to favour the occurrence of the disease. The virus can be fatal for infected adult bees. In general, only a few colonies are affected.

Deciduous tree or occasionally evergreen, monoecious and wind-pollinated, with inconspicuous, greenish and unisexual flowers. The male flowers are pendulous and grouped in catkins, whereas the female flowers are rounded and hardly visible, developing into acorns (nut fruits).

Vitellogenin is a protein that is highly abundant in winter bees and may play a role in stimulating their immune system. Studies show a correlation between vitellogenin levels and the winter survival chances of honey bee colonies.

Below, you can observe in real time the variations in hive weight and the changes in colony temperature in different apiaries located in the plain and on the slope of the right bank of the Rhône.

In Switzerland, beekeeping is considered a leisure activity. Today, around 17,000 beekeepers look after approximately 188,000 colonies, with an average of 11 colonies per person. In Germany, an operation with more than 30 colonies is regarded as a hobby activity, while a professional beekeeper manages more than 300 colonies.

With this method, all brood, including the varroa mites it contains, is removed from a production colony in July. Brood frames from two to three colonies are combined to form a new unit. Complete brood removal replaces the first summer treatment with formic acid. The second summer treatment must be carried out as usual.

The rowan is a deciduous tree that is very widespread in Valais, where it grows naturally in woodlands but is also widely planted in parks and gardens, notably to form living hedges that are highly valued for their foliage and decorative fruits. Several species of rowan exist; the most common are the rowanberry or mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia), the service tree, also known as sorb apple tree (Sorbus domestica), and the whitebeam (Sorbus aria).

By repeatedly removing drone brood (on average three times), varroa infestation can be reduced by about half. This simple method makes it possible, without adding any products, to reduce the number of varroa mites in the hive without any impact on colony development or honey harvest.

 
Often, during the first removal, there are very few varroa mites present. Even if only 1 cell out of 50 is infested with a varroa mite, this already corresponds to a total of 50 varroa mites eliminated by cutting out a Bürki frame. It should be noted that 50 varroa mites in April can result in more than 400 by July.

Phacelia, Phacelia tanacetifolia, is an annual herbaceous plant reaching a height of between 50 and 120 cm. It originates from California and Mexico and was introduced into Europe in the 19th century. It occurs near dwellings and on wasteland, where it can even become invasive; however, it is mainly cultivated as a green manure, as a forage crop, or as an intermediate crop.

Cape ragwort (Senecio inaequidens) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae (or Compositae) family, native to South Africa, from where it was accidentally introduced through the wool trade. Its branched stem reaches a height of 40 to 60 cm and bears yellow flowers that bloom over a long period, from early summer through autumn, attracting bees mainly for their yellow pollen.

It is a contagious disease of the honey bee caused by a virus known as CBPV, an abbreviation of its English name Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (chronic bee paralysis virus).

Like any living organism, the bee is prey to various parasites and pathogenic germs: every colony contains a broad and diverse range of microbes. Yet not every colony becomes ill as a result! This is because, like all living beings, bees have developed various means over the course of evolution to resist them: this is what is known as immunity. Bees, like humans, possess an immune defence system, but with some differences.

For honey bees, willow is one of the first food sources at the end of winter. Beekeepers time their spring inspection according to the flowering of the catkins of the male plant.

Gilbert Duruz is a beekeeper in Switzerland, in the upper Rhône Valley. He is a beekeeping trainer, queen breeder, tester for the Swiss Romand selection programme of the Carnica bee, and president of the Association Suisse Romande des Éleveurs de Reines (ARAE). He presents his breeding and renewal method under continental and mountain conditions.

Hawthorn is a very good melliferous plant, whose fragrant flowers are visited by a wide range of insects collecting nectar and pollen. Its fruits also attract many birds.

Canadian fleabane (Conyza canadensis or Erigeron canadensis) and annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus or Stenactis annua) are annual herbaceous plants belonging to the Asteraceae family and originating from North America. They exhibit all the characteristics of invasive nectar-producing plants: exotic origin; rapid growth; production of a large number of wind-dispersed seeds that can be transported over several kilometres; ability to germinate in the smallest crevices; and strong attractiveness to pollinating insects, including honey bees.

Deciduous trees and shrubs with hermaphroditic white to slightly pink flowers that develop into edible fruits of various colours. In Switzerland, the wild cherry (P. avium), plum (P. domestica), sour cherry (P. cerasus), apricot (P. armeniaca), and blackthorn (P. spinosa) are commonly found.

The mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium), also called the New Zealand tea tree in English because its leaves can be used to make tea, is an evergreen perennial shrub belonging to the family Myrtaceae (the same family as eucalyptus and myrtle). It has irregularly branched shoots, and its leaves are small, variably shaped, and aromatic. During flowering, mānuka produces five-petaled flowers that may be white, pink, or red, followed by fruits in the form of round, woody capsules that persist on the plant for many months.

Colonies often become queenless during winter or after swarming, when the new queen is lost during the mating flight. Queen losses may also occur following a formic acid treatment or due to inattention on the part of the beekeeper.

Herbaceous annual or biennial plant bearing racemose inflorescences with yellow flowers and long siliques (fruits). Oilseed rape is an important agricultural crop, cultivated as fodder or for its oil-rich seeds used in industry and food production.

Although they are few in number, wild or feral colonies of A. mellifera mellifera do indeed exist in nature and are resistant to Varroa due to their small size, their tendency to swarm, the low density of the habitat, and probably through natural selection. Studies also show that these strains of black bees are pure, without hybridization. Consequently, researchers argue for the development of a conservation policy for these bee populations, because they constitute a wild taxon that is probably in decline, but also an interesting genetic reservoir from a beekeeping perspective.

Among Asian knotweeds, the Japanese knotweed, whose scientific names are Fallopia japonica, Polygonum japonicum or Reynoutria japonica, is the most widespread. It belongs to the Polygonaceae family and originates from the Far East (eastern China, Japan, Korea). Introduced to Europe in the 19th century for its ornamental and forage properties, it proved to be invasive, spreading rapidly across large areas, particularly in moist environments.

Pollen is the male reproductive organ of flowering seed plants. All of these flowers are therefore capable of providing pollen to pollinating insects; however, certain flower pollens may be avoided by bees for various reasons.

Targeted measures can be used to prevent or stop robbing. This helps to avoid the weakening or loss of the robbed colony. In addition, appropriate measures protect affected colonies against the possible introduction of pathogens and varroa mites.