9. Other Funding Approvals
Research contracts administered for other parts of MAF and from other funding sources.
9.1 VAR 505
Programme Goal: This programme aims to produce New Zealand-specific information on important components of a varroa control programme.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Treatment Thresholds. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R M Goodwin. |
Description:
The objective of this project is to determine at what varroa population level economic damage will be caused, and what level beekeepers should treat their hives to avoid damage.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
Varroa Sampling Methods. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R M Goodwin. |
Description:
The objective of this project is to determine the ease and efficacy of available varroa monitoring techniques available, to develop new techniques if required, and to make recommendations to beekeepers on appropriate methods.
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
Alternative Treatments. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R M Goodwin. |
Description:
This project will attempt to assess the effects of ‘organic’ control agents on varroa in two different climatic zones within NZ. The effect of different application methods on the control of varroa using formic acid, oxalic acid, and thymol will be tested. MAF may wish to include other substances in the trial for evaluation, this shall be done by negotiation between MAF and HortResearch, resulting in a Variation in writing.
Objective 4
Objective Title: |
Varroa Tolerance. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R M Goodwin. |
Description:
It has been demonstrated overseas that some bee colonies appear to suppress varroa reproduction, and that it may be possible to select for this trait in a breeding programme. This project is aimed at measuring whether varroa reproductive suppression characteristics exists in NZ bee stocks. It will also develop techniques for measuring suppression of varroa reproduction in honeybee stocks.
Objective 5
Objective Title: |
Optimal Use of Mite Control Products. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R M Goodwin. |
Description:
One objective of Integrated Pest Management is to minimise the use of pesticides. This project will evaluate the impact on varroa control of using registered synthetic varroacides in ways other than that specified on the label directions. This will involve changes to strip placement within the hive, number of strips per treatment, and duration of treatment.
Objective 6
Objective Title: |
Testing Model Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programmes. |
Research Leader: |
Dr R.M. Goodwin. |
Description:
The aim of this project is to produce three model IPM programmes and determine their effect in commercial beekeeping situations. At this stage, these programmes will largely be developed from international recommendations, modified to fit New Zealand conditions. It is intended these programmes will serve as models to beekeepers wishing to develop their own IPM programmes.
9.2 VAR 015
Programme Title: |
Towards sustainable control of Varroa Mite |
Programme Leader: |
Bruce Bycroft |
Institution: |
Crop and Food Research |
Programme Goal & Rationale:
Internationally the control of Varroa in colonies of honeybees is dependent largely on synthetic or natural compounds. Current delivery systems for natural products are relatively primitive, resulting in issues of operator safety and variation in the quantity of active ingredient delivered.
Current control measures for newly-established infestations cost around $40 per hive which makes many existing beekeeping operations uneconomic. During initial invasion of a region by varroa mite (referred to as the acute phase) infestations are more difficult and costly to manage. Newly-infested feral and managed colonies are weakened by varroa and robbed or they abscond and re-invade treated managed hives. This pressure falls away after 2-4 years as unmanaged hives and colonies are eradicated by the mites (referred to as the chronic phase).
This programme will investigate the effects of a novel miticide delivery system on the dose rate needed, its effect on honeybee hive vigour, and its efficacy against Varroa destructor.
The work will formulate three existing miticides as Envirosols, materials formulated in liquid carbon dioxide which acts as a dispersant/carrier. In glasshouse and stored grain applications, the dose of chemical required for disinfestation is less than is needed for conventional methods. Some synergistic effect is apparent. The application process is very simple and operator risk is low. We believe that this technology can be adapted to provide an efficient and cost-effective varroa control method suitable for New Zealand beekeepers, particularly during the chronic phase of varroa population dynamics.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
The effect of carbon dioxide on honeybees |
Research Leader: |
Bruce Bycroft |
Description:
Insecticides formulated as Envirosols are dissolved in liquid carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is occasionally used to anaesthetise honeybees for operations such as adding queens to export packages. We need to understand more about the short and medium-term effects of carbon dioxide on honeybees as part of our overall investigation of the use of Envirosols for the control of Varroa mite.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
The effect of Envirosols on honeybees |
Research Leader: |
Bruce Bycroft |
Description
A number of synthetic and natural compounds have been tested on honeybees for the control of varroa, particularly overseas. The delivery methods used include impregnated plastic strips placed between the frames of the brood chamber and perforated plastic bags filled with absorbent material into which the active ingredient is added and which is then placed on the top of the brood chamber. The distribution of the active ingredient through the hive is by direct contact or evaporation. No research has been reported on the use of Envirosols for applying miticides, which will have the advantage of rapid and even distribution of the active ingredient through the brood chamber. Before we can test the effect of compounds formulated as Envirosols on Varroa mite, we must determine their effect on colonies of honeybees in a region not infested with Varroa mite.
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
The effect of Envirosols on Varroa mite |
Research Leader: |
Bruce Bycroft |
Description
Once we have tested a range of compounds formulated as Envirosols on honeybees not infested with Varroa, we will test the efficacy of these Envirosols on the mite populations of hives infested with Varroa. This will identify the size of the window that exists between the toxicity of Envirosols on honeybees and Varroa mite and enable us to make recommendations on the use of Envirosols for the control of Varroa.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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