And what of the previous question regarding predation on honey bees by
wasps and yellow jackets, hornets?
A few more questions while we have the topic:
Is it true that honey bees are being genetically morphed to be
single-purpose creatures (super-pollinators); that is they no longer
are capable of multiple functions such as making honey, feeding the
queen, maintaining the hives, extending the species, etc.?
What is the impact on the immune system of honey bees from the stress
of being trucked coast to coast in 18-wheelers, industrial style, by
large, commercial beekeepers and being fed only high fructose corn
syrup enroute?
I know that applicators restrict the time of their entry into fields
being pollinated to minimize kills, but what can you tell us, in a
larger way, about the genetic or colonial impacts of pesticides and
genetically altered organisms that have been artificially spliced into
many field crops that bees pollinate?
Thanks,
D. Del Boca
N.W. Washington
On Friday, May 11, 2007, at 01:40 PM, Kim Flottum wrote:
Wasps and yellow jackets do essentially no pollination....they may
visit a flower on occasion, but because they have essentially no hair
on their bodies, they don't pick up and transfer pollen from one
flower to another; nor do they return to their nest with pollen on
their bodies and get it transferred inhive to another bee who will
vist another apple blossom. There are solitary bees that are efficient
pollinators, but seldom are there enough of them in an orchard to make
a significant dent....unless they are brought in intentionally...the
Blue Orchard bee, the mason bee...those that are managed specifically
for this purpose.
Kim Flottum
Editor, BeeCulture
623 West Liberty Street
Medina, Ohio 44256
V - 800.289.7668 Ext 3214
Fax - 330.725.5624
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.BeeCulture.com
<image.tiff>
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 4:04 PM
To: Apple-Crop
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: *Potential Spam* Apple-Crop: bee activity
Interesting topic.
How much pollination of tree fruit is done by wasps and yellow jackets
and do they have the same water requirements? Seems I am seeing more
of them than bees. Are they predators of our pollinating bees?
Thanks,
D. Del Boca
N.W. Washington
On Friday, May 11, 2007, at 11:01 AM, Kim Flottum wrote:
Some apple varieties will produce and shed pollen earlier in the day
when the temperature rises above 85 or so, and the humidity is low.
One thing to check is early morning, when new blossoms open, before
they have a chance to dehise. I haven't done much with apples in many
years, but used to a lot, and found this to be true...but I don't
recall the varieties. What led to this was a grower saying our bees
weren't doing their job...so we were out before dawn, measuring flight
activity when it began, and what trees it was on....just fyi.
And you are exactly correct on providing water as close to the bees as
reasonable. One caution...long ago it was customary to empty sprayers
in orchards when done spraying....although this isn't the norm, it
can, if practiced, be deadly if bees need, and don't have other water.
Another fyi.
Kim Flottum
Editor, BeeCulture
623 West Liberty Street
Medina, Ohio 44256
V - 800.289.7668 Ext 3214
Fax - 330.725.5624
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.BeeCulture.com
<image.tiff>
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Fleming, William
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 10:34 AM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: RE: *Potential Spam* Apple-Crop: bee activity
Not sure on the pollen aspect but when the temps rise bees start
spending more time hauling water to the hive rather than foraging.
Best thing a grower can do is make sure a water supply the bees can
access without drowning is close by.
Bill Fleming
Montana State University
Western Ag Research Center
580 Quast Ln
Corvallis, MT 59828
(406)961-3025
<image.tiff>
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Franklyn Carlson
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 5:46 AM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: *Potential Spam* Apple-Crop: bee activity
-->
Would like to get some comments & feedback regarding temps and bee
activity during a real hot bloom period. Here in central Massachusetts
we have had temps in the 88 degree range for the last 3 to 4
days. Have not seen much bee activity in McIntosh at all. We see some
activity in the Cortland, Delicious etc. Growers that get bees from
different suppliers are noticing the same thing. Can it get too hot
and make the pollen unattractive to the bees?
Frank Carlson
Carlson Orchards, Inc.
Harvard, MA
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