The problem „Evaluation of colonies“ – Paul Jungels – Mai 2001

Topic for discussion: the problem: Evaluation of colonies.  The most that can be done.

 
Apisjungels Zeichen
email:

web : http://www.apisjungels.lu
 

Topic for discussion:
The problem

”Evaluation of colonies“

The most that can be done

 
Publish in French in
Abeilles & Cie, the CARI asbl
No 90, october 2002, 9-13, et
No 91, december 2002, p??
Original : Auswertung von Bienenvölkern
Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Zuchtbetriebe.
In: Der Buckfastimker
Nr 10(Heft 4), 2001 Seite 6-22.
The discussions forum of the buckfast bee-keeper
Paul Jungels,
LU-9361 – Brandenbourg, Lux.
May 2001
 
email:

web : http://www.apisjungel.lu
 
English version:
Ron Fisher
March 2004
email:
 

Paul Jungels is well known as a selective breeder of Buckfast bees.  He gives here an account of his practical experience and is freely prepared to show the full extent of what he has been able to achieve in his work.  He has adopted this candid approach with a view to canvassing any observations, comments and suggestions you may care to make.

Editor of Abeille & Cie
Etienne Bruneau

Below an example of a simple and quick evaluation table.

Breeder Birth Queen Vitality Temper Swarm. Fecon- Crop Over- Building Varroa HYG+
number year Pedigree of Bees of Brood of bees tend­ency dity Early Summ. Late wint­ering Combs Propol. number VSH+ HYG+
214 00 B134 ins B106 4 5 5 6 4 5 4 6 5 5 4 3
259 00 B240 ins B106 4 5 5 6 6 4 5 4 5 5 5 5
286 00 I230 ins B106 5 4 5 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
158 00 A199 bal B106 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 3
Evaluation scale:   from 1 to 6.  1 = very bad.  3 = bad average.  4 = good average.
5 = great performance.  6 = optimum looked for in this feature.

General

When several breeders are working together, for example in
federations or selective breeder groups, it is essential to achieve
standardisation of the evaluation results for bee colonies. 
There is a temptation to lay down precise rules.  If, for
example, we take the characteristic ”gentleness/
aggression“, we can define it as having the value 4 (or 5 or 9,
which is immaterial) on a scale from 0 to 10 for a colony which ”can be inspected without smoke, with no risk of
stinging or absconding etc…“
.  For
professionals who find themselves manipulating colonies ”throughout the year, at any time of day, whatever
the weather and in areas of varying nectar sources“
these
rigid schemes can lead to surprising results.  I think it most
unlikely that objective evaluations of colonies can be made on the
basis of such schemes.

Behavioural conditions and the environmental constraints in which
bees operate are more variable than in any other sector of
agriculture.  Vegetation (cultivated and natural) and climate
vary from year to year.  In addition it is important to take into
account the local microclimate, the state of the soil, temperature and
humidity which affect the conditions of each hive.  Performances
of the colonies are not the only factors subject to these
variables.  A series of other characteristics such as gentleness,
swarming behaviour, disease resistance and viability can also vary
considerably.  The whole is entirely made up of inter-related
parts.  So it is that viability will depend on the resistance of
bees and brood to disease which itself depends directly on the
abundance of pollen and nectar which in turn is a function of
climate.

However that may be, we shall endeavour to explain below the whole
selection procedure which we  apply in our own breeding
programme.

ligne

1) Bee viability

Explanation

From a genetic point of view, the ideal would be to be able to draw
a distinction for each colony between the infestation of one or more
diseases and an intrinsically low viability measure.  In practice
these two features are to a large extent linked.  It is found
that bees of  low viability — with shared paternity for example-
suffer from diseases during the critical phases of the annual
development.  This is the case for example in spring in the
transition period between the winter bees and the new year’s young
bees.  During the summer build-up there are signs of an increased
proneness to the viral diseases (slow or acute viral paralysis). 
Normally this loss of viability can be recognized through a sudden
drop in the strength of the colony between the spring harvest and the
woodland flow (summer).  For reasons as yet unknown this woodland
honeyflow encourages viral infestations particularly during the main
phase of brood expansion.  ”Intensity of
brood activity falls away at the start of a major flow“

since the colony massively increases the number of bees sent out to
forage.  There are probably a number of interdependent factors
here which would be worth closer study.

Viral infestations moreover take on a further dimension in relation
to varroosis.  It is now known that untreated colonies or very
few, are not destroyed by the direct effects of varroa but rather by
secondary, for the most part, viral infections.  Both brood and adult
bees alike are afflicted without discrimination.

Evaluation

Assessment is made of the relationship between the extent of the surface area of
the brood nest and the size of the bee population taking into consideration the
longevity of the individual.  Account is also taken of the capacity for
regeneration of the bee population following an intense honeyflow which will have
caused the departure and loss of a great number of workers.  In normal
conditions any colony showing the slightest sign of disease is immediately
down-rated.  Of course one proceeds with caution in the absence of those local
conditions which encourage viral diseases during the summer months — site,
woodland flow or its absence.  At the end of summer/autumn if there are signs of
varroa damage while varroa drop appears normal, then previous assessments are
adjusted.

Aim of the selective breeder

The aim is clear.  What is sought are populations of adult bees without the
slightest sign of disease!

Current situation

The aim seems to have been achieved for all diseases linked to spring development
and winter losses are negligeable.  The following are the areas which would
benefit from improvement; principally resistance to viral attacks during the summer
particularly in connection with varroosis.  Generally I consider improvement in
workers’ longevity a worthwhile aim.

ligne

2) Brood viability

Explanation

Generally speaking a very compact brood nest corresponds to healthy and fully
viable brood.  As diseased brood cells are cleaned out by the bees, gaps
appear.  These are the signs of brood ”disease„.

In the front rank of all the visible diseases, we find ”chalkbrood„ (ascospherosis): a fungal attack which
is immediately detectable at the flight entrance by the presence of chalk-white
coloured mummies cleared out by the bees.

Sacbrood (viral disease) also appears occasionally.

The conditions which give rise to the appearance of brood pathologies are the
same as those for the problems encountered with adult bees (see 1).  So for
example there is virtually no colony which does not present a number of cells of
chalkbrood in extreme conditions — that is during the spring build-up, on
the return of cold weather and/or of a shortage of food in March or April or
again in the presence of certain stress factors (varroosis, imidaclopride?).

Brood with empty cell patterns is not solely the result of brood
disease.  Precisely the same symptoms may be observed in cases of major
consanguinity.  In this case the sexual alleles — which should be
different for the female — are most frequently similar.  This gives a
diploid male which the bees eliminate immediately.  Consanguinity is also
responsible for other lethal factors which have been described but which are
difficult to define.  Since it is necessary to distinguish the origin of
gaps in the brood (due either to over-close consanguinity or to diseases) in
order to make an assessment, in practice only visible brood damage is taken into
account.

A problem arises with a major infestation of varroosis.  The test for
detection and elimination of diseased or dead brood is one of the most reliable
of selection criteria.  In this case too the brood pattern is marked by
gaps.  Consequently varroa attacks should be taken into account in
assessing brood viability particularly at the end of the active season.

Evaluation

Logically brood viability is assessed in spring and summer during periods of
maximum build-up.  The best rating is given if the brood is free of disease
even during critical phases.  Down-rating is immediate if during
appropriate weather or harvest conditions defects show up in the brood
pattern.

Account should be taken in evaluation of a colony closely related or of pure
race, of the brood eliminated before capping.  At the end of summer
consideration should also be given to the effects of severe varroa
infestation.

Aim of the selective breeder

As for point 1, Bee viability, a brood should be obtained
which does not present the slightest sign of disease and bees capable of 
rapidly disposing of cells affected by harmful organisms such as varroa.

Current situation

Despite the strength of its populations, the Buckfast bee — reared by
ourselves — displays average resistance to the various brood diseases. 
Certain crosses enable us to vary this factor.  Over the last five years,
while laying no claim to perfection, we have obtained a decided improvement in
sensitivity to chalkbrood.  Today the results of our Buckfast bees matches
the best highly reputed Carniolan bees.

ligne

3) Gentleness/aggression

Explanation

The Buckfast bee with which we work is, almost universally and justifiably,
thought to be the gentlest of bees.  At the other end of the behavioural
scale lie the crosses of the Iberian bee or the Southern French with the
Carniolan — both of which are European!  I do not know if the
africanised bees of South America are even more aggressive —. 
Gentleness makes the beekeeper’s work easier.  However this begs the
question: is it not simply a matter of the loss — at least partially
— of a total series of characteristics which represent a defence mechanism
of the bee colony.  What is more this loss could affect other specific
features.  From this perspective the question naturally arises as to
whether or not extreme gentleness is compatible with a defence strategy against
parasites like varroa.  Currently at any rate a series of observations has
shown that very great gentleness is matched by absolutely passive behaviour in
the presence of varroa.  However the phenomenon has not yet been made fully
clear.

It is for this reason that in recent years breeding objectives have been reviewed
so that instead of seeking extreme gentleness whatever the season, at best the aim
has been average gentleness enough to allow rapid manipulations.

On the other hand we do not tolerate any following behaviour.  This is a
defect of every subspecies of A.m. mellifera of Western Europe and
perhaps a number of eastern races.

One should be aware too that in the same colony gentleness is subject to
fluctuations in the course of the year.  Defensive reactions observed vary
according to the temperature as well as according to the scale and duration of
operations.  In spring during an oilseed rape flow all colonies behave much more
defensively than in high summer, just as they do on cold damp mornings or at the end
of the day.

The undoubted importance of gentleness should encourage the breeder to make it a
priority objective.  With such obvious results, achieving and maintaining it
should not be an issue!

Evaluation

Opportunities for evaluation during the year are more than adequate.  Initial
assessments should be made during the oilseed rape flow.  These may be corrected
or adjusted later in the season.  A rating will obviously be ascribed on the
basis of stinging, actual or attempted but also on agitated movement on the comb
during manipulations as well as any excessive flying up of a mass of bees at the
slightest jolt.

In short, if a colony can be manipulated quickly and without protective gear
during the oilseed rape flow it earns a good score for gentleness.  The rating
will also take into account the possibility of a thorough inspection of a colony
early in the morning or in cold weather.

Aim of the selective breeder

Gentleness should make it possible to manage  colonies in any
season.  No following behaviour can be tolerated.  In summer in fine
weather, it should be possible to do without protective clothing.

Current situation

The aim has been achieved and even exceeded.  What is more we hope that
in the future, naturally fertilised daughters of our pure-bred queens will
produce good-natured populations of bees independently of the males which
populate their fertilization zones.

ligne

3a) Behaviour on the comb

Explanation

We refer to this issue here since for Carniolan breeders, behaviour on the
comb is assessed separately from gentleness.

While it is a characteristic which seriously handicaps manipulation of the
bees, agitation on the comb is a particular feature of bees of various origins.
First they start running about on the comb, move off it, dangle from the hive,
crowd round the circlet of food and hang from the bottom of the frame as it is
being manipulated.  They end up falling in bunches at the feet of the
beekeeper.

Looking for the queen in these conditions can prove hazardous, well-nigh
impossible.  When at the time of a spring manipulation the bees leave the
brood nest certain areas are chilled resulting in the spread of fungal
diseases.  This can cause areas of chalky brood to appear and develop.

Various crosses including in particular carnica bees with
mellifera display an extreme form of this behaviour.  In our
case pure-bred anatolica as well as meda also
display a high degree of agitation.  But this feature, characteristic of both
races, has already disappeared in the F2 crossing with
the Buckfast bee.

Since gentleness and stillness on the comb are easily controlled by crossings,
evaluation of behaviour on the comb is associated for us with gentleness.

Aims of the selective breeder

Bees clinging tightly to the frame is often accompanied by excellent behaviour on
the comb.  Shaking the bees off becomes virtually impossible.  While good
behaviour on the comb is desirable clinging too tightly is much less so.  If it
is possible to have the choice it is worth making the distinction.

Current situation

This objective of good behaviour on the comb has been achieved with Buckfast
bees of pure breed lines.  Good behaviour on the comb and gentleness appear
to be an outstanding feature of the old established Buckfast line particularly
since Dr Mauz and his
colleagues have highlighted a clear positive influence among other races in the
region.  As with number 3, for the future, we hope that our breeding queens
will produce daughters which, fertilized by local males in the natural
fertilization zones, will continue in calmer behaved colonies.

ligne

4) Reluctance to swarm

Explanation

Swarming: apart from honey production there is probably no other behaviour of
bees which varies as much from one year to another.

The progress of this natural tendency which is broadly the result of
hereditary conditions, depends on a series of interacting factors: the spring
build-up linked to climatic conditions, the strength of the colony, local
availability of forage, the beekeeper’s approach and many others.  Contrary
to what is sometimes said, the characteristics of this desire to swarm cannot be
rigorously measured.  It is not possible simply to note as a parameter the
number of queen cells found in the course of a season.  It is more a matter
of if the mood, the ”urge“ to swarm is
present in a colony.  Some colonies gripped by this urge only build a few
cells, ten or fifteen, even less.  But they are still as much subject to
the intoxicating desire to swarm.  During this lethargy phase it is
commonly known that the colony appears to store up all its resources to preserve
them for the future.  There is therefore a reduction in foraging, care of
the brood and the queen, cessation of comb-building etc.  The bees hang
motionless.  Elimination of the queen is the only way to prevent such colonies
from swarming.  This can be achieved by the introduction of a viable queen
cell or by requeening.  In spite of the amount of effort expended these
colonies usually waste the early harvest.  And what is more they generally
fail to achieve the strength required to obtain good results from succeeding
foraging expeditions.

It is the case that colonies which are reluctant to swarm prepare queen cells
during the swarming period.  But they nevertheless continue to work as
usual.  The nurse bees care for the brood, the queen continues to lay
well.  It is possible to check the impulse to swarm by destroying these
cells.  Most of the time it requires no more than two inspections to put a
stop to this cell construction and avoid the departure of a swarm in colonies
bred for reluctance to swarm.

Here are further indications:

  • An increased hybrid vigour or viability in a colony is frequently accompanied by
    an increased tendency to swarm.  However this is not always the case.
  • In colonies with a high degree of consanguinity, the tendency to swarm has almost
    completely disappeared.  But in swarmy breed lines this characteristic reappears
    with the first crosses (F1).
  • Of course fertile colonies are managed more easily.  Probably because they are
    more flexible in their potential care of brood.  They are therefore less readily
    driven to the extremes of their biological limits.
  • The start of the woodland foraging, even slight (scarcely noticeable!) puts an
    end to any swarming urge.  This can skew the assessment of this
    characteristic.
  • The progress of the swarming urge is very different from one region to
    another.  What might be considered in this connection non-swarming in Austria
    and in South Germany may well elsewhere, with a more abundant pollen harvest, display
    completely different behaviour.

Evaluation

One can only give a mark of ”good“ or
”very good“ to colonies with very little or no sign of
swarming.  The rating is only really valid in those years when the swarming
urge has been widespread.  In those years it will be possible to observe a
full spread of various kinds of behaviour from which objective observations may
be drawn.  In years marked by a low propensity to swarm, colonies which
present these indications over a long period are to be down-rated.  In
point of fact such colonies should be excluded from any breeding programmes.

Note that for this characteristic perhaps more than for any other, the
situation of the apiary as a whole should be taken into account and also that of
other apiaries and of the entire region before drawing conclusions about
each particular colony.  The swarming urge plays a distinctly lesser role
in the regions of the South than in those of the North and in average to high
altitude areas.

Aim of the selective breeder

The reproductive instinct — with the bee the swarming instinct —
is a constant of living beings.  Suppressing it would be unnatural and
probably impossible.  The aim will therefore be to obtain colonies which do
not have the desire to swarm or in which the swarming urge does not
appear.  It is essential to be able to control swarming within restricting
the queen’s egg-laying, without breaking into or splitting up the brood nest in
any way.

Current position

This objective has been broadly achieved in colonies of our pure breeding
lines even with their daughters by natural fertilization.  Crosses however
require the strictest controls because of hybrid vigour.

ligne

5) Fertility

Explanation

Fertility, the mass of brood which a colony can produce, is the result of the
interaction of two main parameters: the egg-laying capacity of the queen and the
predisposition of her daughters, the nurse bees, to breeding.  The
characters of two generations therefore influences this characteristic. 
This probably explains the differences observed in carrying out crosses in one
direction or another.

Fertility together with the viability and longevity of the workers is one of
the major features responsible for a colony’s performance. 
Management of strong colonies is generally easier.  They have much more to
offer the beekeeper and record higher yields.  Unfortunately ultra-high
fertility is often accompanied by a diminution of longevity, although this is
not always the case (Brother Adam).

At the present time one question has not been fully answered: how do heavily
populated colonies resist Varroa infestations? 
The extent of their brood does not limit the reproduction of the acarine
mite.  If the infestation is often greater here, these populations appear
to tolerate more varroa than weak colonies.  Moreover the regenerative
capacity of these colonies is distinctly better.  The parameter which
appears most important is the duration of the presence of brood.  It is
important that the winter break should be as prolonged as possible.

Evaluation

The surface area occupied by brood should be assessed: the number of frames
and its extent on each frame.  To obtain the maximum rating for this
criterion colonies’ brood should cover in May-June 9 to 10 Dadant
frames.  This brood nest should only be restricted at this period by very
slight deposits of honey.  These deposits naturally depend on the
harvest.  The duration of the maximum extent of the brood nest is also
accounted for in the rating.  In July therefore the maximum scores
previously ascribed should be reassessed.

Aim of the selective breeder

It is a question of finding a compromise between an adequate fertility rate
and a series of other factors: principally longevity, broodnest pattern and
varroa tolerance.  The latter determine the development and performance of
the colonies and display an interactive relationship with fertility. 
The management of colonies with high fertility levels is generally
easier.  They offer more to the beekeeper and (as a general rule) register
better harvests.  In regions of early foraging, consideration should also
be given to the time taken by colonies to achieve an adequate fertility
level.

Current situation

The Buckfast bee can be said to be very fertile.  Only the
Italo-American bee exceeds it but with a shorter longevity.  A number of
crosses also outdo it on sporadic occasions.  Since the various
relationships concerning fertility and the problems due to varroa are not yet
entirely known future prospects remain to be decided.

ligne

6) Honey harvests

Explanation

Maximum harvests result from the balance of all the elements which contribute
to the yield of nectar and/or honeydew through to the storing of finished honey
in supers.  Included too is an interesting and varied nectar-yielding flora
and favorable climatic conditions.

The selective breeder cannot simply bank on productivity itself which is far
too complex.  It is necessary therefore to rely on the indirect parameters
described earlier: disease resistance, longevity, viability, fertility and
reluctance to swarm.  To these qualities already described may be added
others real but hard to define and/or measure.  These are diligence or
indefatigable zeal, the capacity and speed of discovery (smell and orientation),
power of flight and the perfect division of labour within the whole colony
(discovery, foraging, comb-building, drying, storing).  It is these
features which in the end make the difference to the harvest particularly during
the summer flow but also during the flows which are continually disrupted by the
whims of the weather.

Evaluation

It is essential that the environment and climate are favourable so that the
effect on the totality of factors affecting foraging may be reflected in the
harvest.  It is quite possible to measure harvests precisely.  But it
is by no means possible to compare them between different apiaries. 
Even at a distance of some kilometers.  The best is to compare each
colony with the average obtained in the apiary, yet bearing in mind the fact
that in small apiaries disastrous results (by chance) can cause a sharp drop in
the average for this apiary.  In this case a colony with an effective
harvest (compared with the true possibilities for this site) will become a
”super-champion“.

Conversely if one of the apiaries is only populated with excellent colonies,
their rating may well merely bring them down to the average because it is the
location of the apiary which, by giving a very good average, will be considered
excellent.

For the evaluation on the basis of the average by location to be correct it
would require between 30 and 40 colonies (representative of the total genetic
stock).  The most interesting is the average for each genetic group over all
locations.

In practice one finds one or two colonies per apiary which stand out with a
superior harvest.  Those which only obtain a clearly poorer harvest are
down-rated and the rest is average.  Evaluation is given for each
harvest.

Aim of the selective breeder

Even from an ecological point of view there is nothing against a maximum crop
from the bee.  The maximum crop results ”from the balanced totality
of a large number of factors which encourage productivity“ (Brother Adam) including those concerning
nectar-bearing flora and the climate.  While the aim of seeking a maximum
crop is implicit it should be tempered by the work-time the beekeeper must spend
following each colony.  The effective yield from the beekeeper’s
point of view is indeed the quantity harvested per hour of work.  The
capacity of a bee farm is undoubtedly limited by the additional work to be done
during swarm control.  If an exceptional production is due to an extreme
level of viability and/or fertility, it will be accompanied by the impulse to
swarm at the limit of what may be controlled.  This will require hours of
painstaking attention out of proportion to the risk, according to the season and
despite controls, of setting in motion a ”swarming
urge“
at the crucial moment.  If the latter cannot be
controlled the losses of revenue will be considerable.  Of course later on,
such colonies which will have been calmed by all these robust interventions, can
produce maximum yields at the time of late harvests.

Current situation

Throughout the whole world the Buckfast bee is classified amongst the most
productive of breed lines.  This position is confirmed by the fact that the
majority of professional beekeepers from every continent have adopted it.

ligne

7) Comb building and brace comb

Explanation

The propensity to link comb with brace wax has its origin in nature.  In
modern hives it is quite unnecessary.  On the contrary it handicaps the
work of the beekeeper.  This inopportune
”feature“ can be fairly easily eliminated through
traditional selection.  But it returns just as quickly following crossing
or non-directed natural fertilization.  One should not be misled. 
Colonies busy with harvesting and short of room will occupy, build up and fill
with honey every free space.  One should not confuse this emergency
building with the need to create connecting links virtually everywhere.

Evaluation

This evaluation cannot be properly made during a honey flow.  It should
instead be carried out during a weak flow or between flows. 
Naturally the maximum rating is given to colonies which even during a
heavy flow establish hardly any brace comb on the queen excluder, between the
supers and on the crown board.

On the other hand colonies are down-rated which despite adequate space and
the presence of construction wax unnecessarily build up the queen excluder and
the spaces between supers and frames.

Aim of the selective breeder

There should be colonies which in appropriate harvest
conditions do not build any brace comb neither on the queen excluder nor between
supers nor between frames.  This makes it possible to work not only quickly but
pleasantly and in an ethical way thereby virtually eliminating crushed bees, a
consequence as objectionable as it is harmful.

Current situation

The Buckfast line is the only race of bees for which a
selection programme has been realized which takes account of this
characteristic.

ligne

8) Propolis

Explanation

Everyone knows that propolis acts as an antibacterial agent within the
colony.  A certain quantity is required to plug all the inaccessible parts of
the hive which cannot be checked but also to regularly
”sterilize“ the whole structure.  This is probably
one of the reasons that impel the bees to become long-stayers, to retain the same
habitat over several years.

However because of its sticky and adhesive consistency, this propolis especially
when it is present in quantity is a hindrance when inspecting colonies.  What is
more it is difficult to get rid of propolis stains on clothing.  Bees’
behaviour in harvesting propolis varies enormously.  Some varieties such as the
Anatolian and Caucasian harvest great quantities throughout the year.  Others
like the black bee harvest a great deal but particularly at the end of the
season.  The Carniolan bee uses pure propolis during the year but a mixture of
propolis and wax in autumn.

Evaluation

Colonies which accumulate propolis in quantity before wintering (August) have
a low score.  In September/October when attending to feeders this is a good
opportunity to conduct an objective inspection of all colonies.

Aim of the selective breeder

Suppression of propolis seeking would be artificial and probably harmful to
colonies.  In the spring ideal colonies would eliminate surplus propolis
accumulated along the internal walls.  A kind of cleaning as it were.

Current situation

The Buckfast race is currently the only line of bees known
for which a selection programme has been realized which takes account of this
characteristic.

ligne

9) Wintering

Explanation

We carry out replacement of the queens in our production colonies either in
September/October or in March/April.  However all the colonies rated above
average retain their queen for over-wintering.  The progress of this
over-wintering and the succeeding spring build-up are important selection
criteria.  After winter in nuclei on 3 frames of brood and one of stores
only the best of these queens sill be placed in the breeding apiary.  They
will be in retirement there as breeding mothers.

Evaluation

As all our hives are identical they are brought to the same
weight towards the end of September. 
In January we carry out a check on bee mortality.

Of course candidates for reproduction are examined with the closest
attention.  In the Spring, the level of build-up is estimated by comparing
the strength of the colonies.

Colonies which indulge themselves with an exaggerated winter brood are
wasting, as everyone knows, their ”colony’s
substance“
: by which we mean not only the bees themselves but
also their store of pollen and honey.  In the most favourable cases this
winter brood will make for a strong colony after wintering but with a shortage
of stores.  In critical cases there follows a series of possible diseases
not the least of which is nosema. (see the chapter Viability
of bees
).

Aim of the selective breeder

A cessation of winter egg-laying for as long as possible with a consequential
saving of the ”substance of the colony“ throughout this period of
virtually complete inactivity.  But colonies are required to be ready for
the first honey crop (about the end of April in our region) and this without any
stimulation or reinforcement.

Current situation

Contrary to a great many different reports the pure Buckfast bee which we
breed tends to cease egg-laying early.  From mid-October the majority of
colonies no longer have any.  However all the pure races including the
Buckfast start up their brood again from mid-January.  The crosses on the
other hand behave differently.  It should not however be concluded that the
hybrid vigour effect of crosses always leads to an increase of winter brood.
Currently our crosses of Buckfast with the meda
(Iranian) yet again confirms this.

Normally the only winter losses are only due to orphan colonies.

ligne

10) Varroa

Explanation

The selection of a bee more tolerant of varroa is still at an elementary
stage.  Year after year fundamental research on this parasite brings us new
knowledge.  There have been widespread efforts to set up work groups to
promote breeding of bees with tolerance of varroa.  The
Gemeinschaft der Europäischen Buckfastimker e.V. has
instigated various projects.  the ”Primorski“ project will make it necessary to
undertake a more extensive form of evaluation.  The breeders’
association will take responsibility for this.

Evaluation

So far the number of varroa mites have been assessed by their mortality rate
during the August treatment for acarine.  Colonies were graded by apiary to take
into account the secondary infestations due to local conditions (presence in the
environment of non-treated colonies).

In addition potential reproductive colonies undergo the test of brood frozen or
killed with a pin.  Assessment was made of the speed with which they disposed of
this dead brood.

Time will tell if new indirect parameters could be utilized.

I find interesting those colonies which despite the presence of a great deal of
brood are only subjected to a weak or moderate attack as well as the colonies which
in spite of a major investment of varroa mites show no signs of secondary viral
infections neither on the bees nor at brood level.

Aim of the selective breeder

There is no doubt.  We have to achieve productive colonies which maintain
themselves without the slightest treatment or manipulation.

Current situation

One should recognise it and not be misled: no sign of any real resistance is in
sight!  And this applies to every race of bees used in Europe.  One can but
hope.  The only light at the end of the tunnel: at the time of the varroa
invasion at the beginning of the 80’s, treatment measures to save the colonies
were necessary from the middle of July.  Today no damage is evident before
mid-August even in places where the proximity of untreated colonies greatly increases
the varroa pressure.

ligne

By way of conclusion

With these ten points we hope to have a made a contribution to a better
understanding of what is meant by selection in beekeeping.  However differences
between theory and practice are unavoidable.  We have to accept this. 
Selection in bee colonies is complex and frequently obscure to the uninitiated. 
The real problem arises from the fact that in practice it has been found impossible
to define a series of valid norms.  The more one tries to understand the
relationships the more complicated and confusing the matter becomes.  This is so
even as in this case one puts on one side the genetic and biological aspects peculiar
to bee breeding.

One of the observations put to me by Dr Job Van Praagh is to the effect that one could stop taking
notes and collating scores for weak colonies.  This colony weakness would be
automatically eliminated as a result of positive conclusions drawn from
elsewhere.  This is true and we have operated in this way for years.  But
colony weakness must also be understood and it is as easy to make a note of sizes as
it is to set them aside.

A breeding programme carried out on the base of appropriate selection leads always
and above all to understanding of the phenotype and the living conditions of the
different colonies (and breed lines) which one seeks to increase.  Of course
this supposes that the entire stock is worked and evaluated regularly and logically
by one and the same person.  But there are limits to human capacities for work
and observation.  These limits are the barriers against which each correctly
managed breeding project should halt.

This should be sufficient unto the day.

Publish in
Abeilles & Cie, the CARI asbl
No 90, october 2002, 9-13, et
No 91, december 2002, p??
Original : Auswertung von Bienenvölkern
Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Zuchtbetriebe.
In: Der Buckfastimker
Nr 10(Heft 4), 2001 Seite 6-22.
The discussions forum of the buckfast bee-keepers
Paul Jungels,
LU-9361 – Brandenbourg, Lux.
22th May 2001
 
email:

web : http://www.apisjungel.lu
 
English version:
Ron Fisher
March 2004
email: