Page 11 - May-June 2017 Vol. 35 No.1
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bee emerges from its cell, it releases the Neonicotinoids are one of the in other apiaries. To help improve the
mite into the hive, allowing it to search leading suspected causes of odds of his colonies surviving, Kinser
for a new cell and a new host, ultimately the declining bee population... is adding Italian bees along with his
spreading throughout the entire colony. Research has shown that the Carniolan bees. Italian bees keep a much
The mites suck the blood of the bees for pesticide can affect a bee’s larger winter population, making them
sustenance, leaving open wounds and behavior, including its ability less likely to be robbed. Kinser is not
transmitting diseases and viruses. The disheartened by the current situation with
compromised bees become more prone to to collect pollen and its bee populations. On the contrary, he is
infections, which significantly impacts the ability to navigate. more determined than ever to do his part
chances of a colony’s survival. Research to make sure that the honey bee will be
is being done to find ways to combat the by other wild colonies. The drought around for generations to come.
Varroa mite. Certain chemicals, called conditions that Tennessee experienced
miticides, have been used with some last summer and fall resulted in a lack The annual survey provided by the
success to reduce the levels of infestation. of nectar sources and smaller colonies Bee Informed Partnership revealed
Additionally, genetic engineers have going into winter. When these conditions that colony-loss numbers in Tennessee
developed two strains of bee in the United exist, robber bees from neighboring actually have shown steady improvement
States that can detect infected pupae hives will find alternate sources of food in recent years, despite national numbers
and remove them before the infestation including invading other hives that may continuing to trend upward. From July
spreads further. be smaller or not well protected. These 2012 to June 2013, Tennessee beekeepers
invasions have but one purpose: to kill a reported a staggering 51.4 percent colony
Tennessee beekeeper Chris Kinser colony and steal the food stores. loss. Just three years later, from July 2015
has been keeping bees for 19 years, to June 2016, that number was reduced
maintaining apiaries in both Athens and Some breeds of bees such as the to almost half at 27.4 percent. This trend
Knoxville. Like his grandfather before Carniolan keep a smaller number of bees may be attributable to increased funding
him, he has seen both good years and overwinter in the hive, making them more for the ongoing efforts of researchers
bad years in the bee business. Kinser says vulnerable to robbing from other larger in cooperation with the more than 40
that pesticides and mites are just some hives that may be present in the wild or beekeeper associations across the state.
of the issues that he has to deal with As the causes continue to become better
when trying to maintain his colonies. understood, solutions are hoped to soon
In 2016, Kinser lost nine of the 11 provide the honey bee with a bright
colonies he owned due mostly to robbing future.
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