EurBee board Dorothea Brückner, Germany Norberto Milani, Italy Robert Paxton, Great Britain Dalibor Titěra, Czech Republic Bernard Vaissiere, France Program consultant

Pollination

Honey bees are important avocado pollinators, but even when bee hives are placed in an orchard, bees tend to prefer competing blooms, and avocado pollination is often inadequate. The possible effect of nectar composition on the preferences of bees was tested in this work using three measures: choice between feeders, and dance and learning performance. Since honey is of nectar origin, we used honey in the experiments and we identified avocado honey due to its perseitol concentration, a unique avocado carbohydrate. When choosing between solutions of equal sugar concentration, bees preferred non-avocado honey and sucrose solution to avocado honey. Bees significantly increased their dance rate when non-avocado honey reward was replaced by avocado honey. Bees that were first rewarded with non-avocado honey, avoided the avocado honey that came later. In conditioning of the proboscis extension response, the percentage of bees that learned to associate between odor and reward was lower when the reward was avocado honey than non-avocado honey or sucrose solution. Moreover, an increasing percentage of bees refused to consume the avocado honey during the course of the experiment. Avocado nectar and honey were found to be rich in a wide range of minerals including: potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur. In a choice experiment with feeders, dissolving potassium and phosphorus in non-avocado honey resulted in reduced attractiveness to bees. These findings highlight the importance of nectar micro-elements, such as minerals, in nectar evaluation by bees, and consequently on learning, choice, and recruitment, which directly affect pollination performance.

During 2005, a shortfall in natural pollination services provided by bees on almonds was quantified in N. Greece. Therefore, in 2006, hive entrance pollen transfer devices were used in order to determine: a) their efficiency in improving cross- pollination on almonds and b) their practical use. A type of soft material was fitted on a hive entrance device on experimental colonies. Four groups of experimental and control colonies were transferred in the crop and every group stayed for 2 days. The efficiency of the hive entrance devices was measured by means of bagging branches with flowers, which were self- or cross-pollinated by hand and fruit set was compared with fruit set on other flowers that had been bagged without pollination and others that were bagged but bee visits were allowed on them every second day. Fruit set on those branches visited by bees from experimental colonies (fitted with hive entrance devices) was higher but not significantly so compared with fruit set on brunches visited by bees from control colonies. The design of the hive entrance device used in this experiment found not to be practical as it was not tolerated well by the bees. A different design, tunnel like, was found to be better tolerated but it has not been tested for efficiency yet.

University of Bologna - Viale G. Fanin 42, Bologna, Italy.

Pronubial insects can act as very efficient carriers of beneficial microrganisms for the control of those pathogens whose preferential way of penetration is represented by the flower organs, like Erwinia amylovora and Botrytis cinerea,as examples. Their use as vehicles for BCA can result in a very efficient system also in the case of secondary dissemination between BCA-contaminated and uncontaminated flowers. In the complex flower-pathogen-antagonist-carrier relation the reliability and efficacy of the carrier insect as a pollinator of the target plant is a crucial point. Once the pollinator species has been selected, a BCA’s dispenser system fitted with the pollinator’s needs and behaviour has to be developed. Researches have been run to develop a BCA dispenser system suitable for the habits and the nesting behaviour of the solitary bees Osmia cornuta (Latreille) and O. rufa L. for the prevention and control of the bacterial fire blight on pear and apple, being them good pollinators for these crops. A comparison was run with Apis mellifera L. for which a new dispenser model previously developed was optimized. The functionality of the dispensers was assessed through behavioural observations and evaluation of the amount of active bacterial cells acquired passing by the dispenser and deposited on the flowers.

Dep. Biology, University of Haifa-Oranim, E-mail: gneeman©research.haifa.ac.il

INRA, E-mail: bernard.vaissiere©avignon.inra.fr

Following the 1998 Sao Paolo declaration on pollinators, the 2001 Decision IV/6 COP5 of the convention of the parties that launched the International Pollinator Initiative stressed the urgent need to assess the economic value of pollinators. Central to such economic assessment is the measure of the level of dependence of crop agronomic and economic yields on insect-mediated pollination. Within the EU-project ALARM (http://www.alarmproject.net), we used a uniform plantwide-based protocole on 5 important entomophilous crops to measure the incidence of insect-mediated pollination and the impact of pollinator decline in abundance and diversity on crop yield and quality. These crops were buckwheat in Poland, cantaloupe in France, field beans in the United Kingdom, spring rape in Sweden and strawberries in Germany. To get a range of pollinator diversity and abundance, for each crop we used 8 to 10 fields located in a gradient of landscape context from mainly intensive agricultural surroundings to mainly natural habitats in order to get a range of pollinating species and population density. Data on pollinator abundance and diversity were recorded as well as yield and crop quality from plants with all their flowers either exposed to passive self-pollination (PSP), or to PSP and 75% of wind-borne pollen, or open-pollinated with free access to insects. The results of this Europe-wide study will be presented and compared with previous such assessments, and conclusions will be drawn in reference to the economic assessment of the value of insect pollinators for European agriculture.


The pollinating insects effect on seed yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plantation

Zbigniew Koltowski

Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Division of Apiculture

The beekeeping value of sunflower plantation was conducted in Pulawy in the year 2005, together with the response of this species on the lack of pollinating insects. The fruit and seed setting from plants freely accessible for pollinating insects were compared with plants isolated from the bees during the blooming time.

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, E-mail: robert.chlebo©uniag.sk

More than 300 countries and other territories issued stamps displaying insects. Alongside with butterflies and beetles, bees belong to most popular insect motives portrayed on more than 300 stamps. Bee stamps are often part of series representing native fauna and nature conservation. Bees are also grateful postage motive representing diligence, labor, thrift or technical cooperation, design of bee comb symbolize unity, representing individuality as a single cell. First beekeeping stamps were issued in 19th century, but most of collection items appeared just recently. Besides western honeybee also other representatives of superfamily Apoidea - especially bumblebees and solitary bees – can be found on stamps. Most interesting stamps are inscribed to beekeeping practice, history of beekeeping and traditional hives, bee predators, famous beekeepers or as a memorial of beekeeping congresses and anniversaries.


Identification of pollen from wild, cultivated and ornamental plants in La Laguna region, Mexico

José Luis Reyes-Carrillo, Rubi Muñoz-Soto, Frank A. Eischen , Francisca Sánchez-Bernal, Eduardo Blanco-Contreras and Pedro Cano-Ríos

Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, U.L. carretera. a Santa Fe y periférico, Torreón, Coahuila, México tel. 871 7297610 , e-mail: jlreyes54©yahoo.com.mx

In La Laguna region (Coahuila and Durango states) in northern Mexico, the anthers of wild, cultivated and ornamental plant species were collected in order to isolate the pollen using the acetolisis technique. The collection is serving as a reference database for identifying plants visited by honeybees and the plants blooming period in the area .Beginning in the spring of 2002 and through the years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were obtained, processed and photographed pollen of plants. Plants were photographed, collected and dessicated to preserve in the herbarium . The pollen samples were processed and observed in a microscope Olympus modelo BH-2, connected to a TV screen. Each pollen grain was measured with objective micrometer immersion oil at 100X . Pollen grains were photographed at 400X and 1000X with a reflex Minolta SRT 101 camera, Rokkor lens PF 58 mm mounted in a tripod using color slide film ASA 100, f/9 obturation at a ½ second speed. At least 2 images were obtained at different angle and scanned in a 3500C HP scanner. The collection has, up to date, 209 –wild, cultivated and ornamentals- species. We found the families Acanthaceae, Agavaceae, Aloaceae, Anacardiaceae, Ampelidaceae, Apocinaceae, Asteraceae, Bignonaceae, Bombacaeae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Canabinaceae, Caesalpiniaceae Chenopodiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Casuarinaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Drupaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Geraniaceae, Juglandaceae, Labiatae, Lamiaceae, Laureaceae, Liliaceae, Malvaceae, Meliaceae, Mimosaseae, Moraceae, Musaceae, Myrtaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Oleaceae, Palmaceae, Papaveraceae, Pittosporaceae, Plumbaginaceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulacaceae, Punicaceae, , Quenopodiaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, Solanaceae, Tamaricaceae,, Umbelliferae, Verbenaceae and Zygophylaceae.


Analysis of transgenic pollen in rape honey with real time PCR

H.U.I. Waiblinger¹, M. Ohmenhaeuser, K.Pietsch, W.Ritter, J.Steegmüller, H.Horn, A. Schroeder

¹ Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Freiburg, Bissierstr. 5, 79114 Freiburg, Germany, E-mail: ritter©bienengesundheit.de

Today North America, especially Canada, cultivate a high amount of genetically modified rapeseed (75 % of the acreage), whereas in Europe transgenic rapeseed is restricted to field trials. Even in honey, pollen of transgenic rapeseed can be detected by sensitive nucleic acid analysis. So far, transgenic rapeseed has only been detected in Canadian honey1. However, unavoidable and unintentional contamination with transgenic rapeseed pollen can also happen in honey produced within the EU. In the past years detection of transgenic rapeseed used for cultivation within southern Germany has been reported, although only traces could be found2. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health considered honey as an animal product not coming under the scope of the regulation [1829/2003/EC] and stated that honey does not need to be labelled “provided that the proportion of GM pollen in the honey is no higher than 0,9 per cent”.

In this publication, the analytical “state of the art”, including possibilities and limits of the analysis of rape honey by real-time PCR is described. An optimised method for the extraction of DNA from pollen in honey is shown. Different real-time PCR systems for the quantification of DNA specific for rapeseed as a reference gene were evaluated. The amount of amplifiable DNA from rapeseed determines the detection resp. quantification limits (in terms of percent values, proportion of gmo DNA vs. rapeseed DNA) for the transgenic DNA-sequences4.The data shown demonstrate the detectability of gm sequences down to gmo proportions in the range of 0,1 to 0,9 per cent. This is possible, provided that there is more than 50 per cent rape pollen in proportion to the whole pollen amount. A correlation between rape pollen ratio and the detection limit (relative, per cent gmo-DNA) was evident. Two construct-specific sequences present in glyphosate- (e.g. GT 73) resp. glufosinolate tolerant (e.g. liberty link) rapeseed lines were used for the relative quantification of transgenic DNA vs. rapeseed-DNA in honey5.

In the future, sensitive methods for the analysis of transgenic rape in honey will not only be significant for food analysis. It can also be used as a tool for monitoring programs of field releases or coexistence studies of transgenic and conventional plants.

Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, E-mail: jlreyes54©yahoo.com.mx

The field trial was carried out in La Laguna production region (near Torreón, Coahuila) in northern Mexico, during summer 2003. The objective of this work was to determine the temporal and spatial honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) distribution in cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) fields with different colony densities. Starting in the second blooming week, honeybee colony densities were increased by adding one to five colonies per hectare one day before every observation day. Honeybee colonies were uniformly distributed adjacent to a cantaloupe field. In five randomly selected rows, transects 10 m long were marked at 25, 50,75 and 100 m distances from the center of the apiary. Foraging bees were counted every 30 minutes from 7:30 to 19:30 hr. Significant differences (P < 0.001) in the number of pollinating honeybees were found among distances evaluated, with the highest density at 50 m (7.2a), intermediate at 25 m (6.6ab) and 75 m (6.7ab), and the lowest at 100 m (5.3c). Foraging honeybees numbers varied temporally (P < 0.0001), observing the highest density from 10:00 hr to 15:00 hr, with a peak at 11:00 hr. Number of colonies affected the honeybee density (P < 0.0001). The maximum bee number per transect (6.08a) was observed with three colonies per hectare; therefore, this number of bee colonies could be considered the optimum number for cantaloupe pollination.

Changes of the pollen spectrum of honeys during its ripening in the beehive

Dariusz Teper, Piotr Semkiw, Wojciech Skowronek, Piotr Skubida

Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division, E-mail: dariusz.teper©man.pulawy.pl

The obtainment of unifloral honeys in Polish environmental conditions is difficult due to not very abundant and interrelated nectar flows. Foraging bees bring to unripe honey the nectar from other nectariferous plants blooming later what reduces the proportional contribution of dominant pollen of the plant giving unifloral honey. Research carried on in our Institute confirmed that percentage of the dominant pollen in unripe honeys (samples received during the nectar flow) is higher than in ripe honeys (samples of capped honey). The samples of honey from the same beehive were taken. Leaving the honey to its natural ripening in combs caused decrease the content of the dominant pollen even for over 20 %, what in extreme cases can lead to decrease the percentage of dominant pollen below minimum required for unifloral honeys. Therefore it seems advisable to harvest unifloral honeys before the end of the nectar flow in spite of high water content in its. Other research carried on in the Institute in Pulawy proved that quality parameters of the honey do not decrease in the dehydratation process.

Relations between Apis mellifera L. and tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.)

Roberta Ferrero, Paola Ferrazzi

Di.Va.P.R.A. Entomology and Zoology applied to Environment Carlo Vidano University of Turin IT,

Liriodendron tulipifera L., native to North-Eastern America where is present in hardwood forests, in the XVIII century has been introduced in Italy as ornamental plant. It is cultivated for its wood, which has a high commercial value and a good versatility. This plant is an important source of nectar for honeybees in North America. In relation to its spreading in Italy and to the lack of knowledge about its apicultural interest in the European region, we examined the relations between Apis mellifera L. and tulip tree.

The research has been carried out in 2004 – 2005 in seven stations of Piedmont (Italy), localized in Turin, near Turin and in Padova (Venetia). Foraging behaviour of the honeybees, towards to this plant and accompanying blossomings, has been examined; the nectar sugar concentration has been analysed trought refractometer.

From the investigations on the foraging activity of nectar and pollen, the bees frequency on tulip tree was not steady. During L. tulipifera blooming period in May, Robinia pseudoacacia L., very common in North Italy, was much more visited than it. The bees frequency on tulip tree flowers depended on flowers age and weather conditions. Statistical analyses were done to find relations among nectar production and sugar concentration with respect to climatic factors as relative humidity, rainfall and temperature.

At start of flowering the flowers have been produced abundant nectar at low sugar concentration, around 19%, while on second day flowers usually have been produced less nectar, but the sugar percentage reached even more than 60%. The flower wide shape allowed other botanical species pollens to get inside L. tulipifera nectar. This research confirms the importance of tulip tree for bees, especially in urban areas.

The effect of pollen traps on the pollen preferences of honeybees

Maria Dimou, Andreas Thrasyvoulou

Laboratory of Apiculture and Sericulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Pollen traps are commonly used to record the bee flora of an area. However, little is known about their effect on the pollen preferences of bees.

In order to study the influence of pollen traps in the foraging behaviour of bees, we evaluated the contribution of pollen sources in colonies of Apis mellifera L. First we fitted pollen traps to the entrance of ten hives and we measured the contribution of the trapped pollen sources during a five-day period. Then, we removed all beebread from half of the colonies (treated group) in order to raise the pollen needs and create conditions similar to those that pollen traps cause to colonies. Five days later we collected again the trapped pollen from the treated and the control group and we estimated the contribution of the pollen sources.

Even though the amount of trapped pollen rose significantly in the treated colonies, there were no statistically significant differences relative to the number or the contribution of the pollen sources between the two groups.

We concluded that the use of pollen traps to record the pollen flora of an area does not influence the pollen preferences of the bees and the accuracy of the results.


The effects of honeybee pollination on canola with and without bottom pollen trap hives in cages

M. OZ, A. KARASU, I. ÇAKMAK, N. OZMEN

¹Uludag Universitesi, Mustafakemalpasa MYO, M.Kemalpasa-Bursa,Turkey

E-mail of the corresponding author: icakmak@uludag.edu.tr

Canola is not only consumed as vegetable oil but also alternative energy as bio-diesel in recent years. Canola is also an important bee plant for spring build up. The effects of honeybee foragers in two different hives were tested in order to determine seed formation and production qualities on canola.

Honeybee (Apis mellifera anatoliaca) and canola (Brassica napus) Pulsar winter variety were used in the experiments. Small honeybee colonies were placed in mini hives containing approximately 2000 bees in regular and bottom pollen trap hives. Experimental 4 groups each containing 4 cages that are 5m long, 4m wide, 2.5m height with insect screen were used. Each experimental unit contains four fields: 1) an open field, 2) a cage without honeybee pollinators, 3) a cage with honeybee foragers in a regular mini hive and 4) a cage with honeybee foragers in a bottom pollen trap hive. Fields 1 and 2 represent experimental controls.

1000 seed weight, plant weight, branch no., pod no., seed production per plant, and harvest index were determined. Protein and oil content per seed were determined by Kjeldahl and Soxhlet apparatus. Seed production per 1000 m² (no.1:320,5 kg, no.2:182,3 kg, no.3:236,0 kg and no.4:235,7 kg for two year averages) pod no., and seed production per plant were found significant and highest values were obtained from open field and second with bees in regular hives. 1000 seed weight, plant weight, branch no. per plant, harvest index, seed protein and oil quantity per seed were found insignificant. Honeybee pollination increase seed production significantly but not protein and oil range per seed.


Tagetes L. as a pollen source for honeybees

Anna Wróblewska, Zofia Magacz

Botany Department, Agricultural University, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland,

During the seasons 1994, 1996, 2004-2005 the investigations were carried out on two species of Tagetes L. There were T. erecta L. and T. patula L. The purpose of the study was to examine their blooming and pollen productivity. The flowering observations were conducted when the first flower heads started to bloom and lasted till the last days of flowering. The number of inflorescences per one plant as well as the number of flowers per flower head were determined. Pollen productivity was estimated by the ether Warakomska’s method (1972) with modification.

The length of flowering period of Tagetes was on average from 2.5 to 3.5 months. In all years of the study T. patula started its flowering a few weeks earlier (in mid June) than T. erecta. Blooming of both taxa endured till the first frosts. During vegetation season one plant of T. erecta developed on average 48.7 flower heads, whereas T. patula 88.5. There were two types of florets in the inflorescences of both species – ligulate female and tubular bisexual florets, whose contribution reached 47.6% and 52.4% respectively for T. erecta, 43.9% and 56.1% for T. patula.

Pollen grains of Tagetes are round shaped with spiked exine, they are produced only in tubular florets. The average pollen efficiency of 10 florets was similar for both species and hesitated from 2.15 to 3.02 mg for T. erecta and from 1.95 to 3.08 mg for T. patula respectively. The estimated pollen yield per one plant riched the higher value for T. erecta – 1.53–1.65 g, whereas 0.89–1.06 g for T. patula. Flower heads of both species attracted numerous insects, mainly honeybees. The most intensive visitation was recorded at noon hours.

The aim of work was characterization and evaluation of pollen grain morphology on selected genotypes of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). The 23 tested genotypes were from two localities of Slovak Republic, namely from Radošiná and arboretum Mlyňany. Using the scanning electron microscope Tesla BS 301 the morphological analysis was realized. The detail records of pollen grains, population of developed and undeveloped pollen grains were made at different magnification. The image database is prepared from obtained records. The quantitative parameters are evaluated by using the light microscope Zeiss Axiostar plus. The possible intraspecific differences were examined by the study of pollen grains morphology between selected genotypes of chestnut. This work was supported by Science and Technology Assistance Agency under the contract No. APVT-20-026704.

In our work was tested a morphological variability of pollen grains on 23 genotypes (old varieties and land races) of common poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). The genotypes were from different areas of Liptov and Spiš in Slovak Republic. Obtained pollen grains from the individual genotype were evaluated by a light (LM) and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Using the LM Zeiss Axiostar Plus were pollen grains measured in the length of polar axis (μm), the length of equatorial axis (μm), and the shape index by which the pollen grains were classified to shape classes. The thirty pollen grains were evaluated for each selected genotype. The coefficient of variability was 8.5% for the length of polar axis and 7.4% for the length of equatorial axis. Using the SEM Tesla BS 301 the morphology of pollen grains was evaluated. For each genotype was made 8 detailed records of an equatorial and a polar view, a detail of exine surface, and population of developed and undeveloped pollen grains, at the different magnification. The exine surface of poppy pollen grain was characterized as microechinate-perforate, and 3-colporate apertures. In the framework of obtained experiences from pollen grains evaluation by SEM we studied the possibility of common poppy pollen pellets identification. This work was supported by Science and Technology Assistance Agency under the contract No. APVT-20-026704.

Departament of Botany, Agricultural University in Lublin, Poland, E-mail: malgorzata.bozek©ar.lublin.pl

The Lonicera kamtschatica produce edible, early ripening fruits. The characteristic feature is double flowers inflorescences. The inferior ovaries of both flowers are aggregated by sepalous leaves which form homogenous, fleshy coating of multiple fruit. The ripen multiple fruit consists of two false-berries and looks like a single berry.

The investigations on influence of pollinating insects on fructification of Lonicera kamtschatica were undertaken in 2004 in Lublin, Poland. Two cultivars ‘Atut’ and ‘Duet’ were examined. Eight bushes for each cultivar were chosen and two pollination treatments were applied: self-pollination and free–pollination. On every randomly chosen branches flowers and ripen multiple fruits were counted. The mass of ripen multiple fruits from each combination was estimated.

The both examined cultivars show similar reaction to the pollination method applied. The highest percentage of berries was present after free-pollination, 96% on average. The percentage of berries was significantly lower after self-pollination and varied from 16.38% ‘Atut’ to 23.76% ‘Duet’. The highest quality of multiple fruits was present after free-pollination. The mass of multiple fruits set after self pollination under isolators was 30-40% lower then set after pollination by insects. Flowers of investigated plants were mainly foraged by honeybees collecting nectar and pollen and by bumblebees and rarely by solitary bees.

The pollen abundance of some early spring flora of anthropogenic habitats as a part of Apoidea feeding band

Bożena Denisow

Department of Botany, Agricultural University, Lublin, Poland, E-mail: bozena.denisow©ar.lublin.pl

In recent years the lack of food, particularly pollen, connected with destruction of weeds, flora on barrows, waste lands, burnings of waysides become an important risk for pollinators. Honey bees and wild Apoidea collect nectar and pollen from different flowering plants. The pollen abundance, pollinators composition and forage pattern were observed in Lublin, Poland (51015’N, 22030’N). In the period between end of March till the mid of May 20 flowering species were identified in ruderal vegetation. Apis mellifera foraged mainly on Tussilago farfara, Taraxacum officinale, Ficaria verna, Barbarea vulgaris and Prunus spinosa (over 80% of pollinators) and bumblebees queens on Lamium purpureum, L. album, while sollitary bees foraged on Veronica chamaedrys, Viola odorata, V. canina, Bellis perennis, Cardaria draba, Potentilla arenaria, P. anserina, Euphorbia ciparissias and Glechoma chederacea as well. Tiny flowers of Erophila verna were atracted for Diptera. The highest density of forage taxons were in Senecioni-Tussilaginetum, Cardario drabae-Agropyretum repentis and in communities with Potentilla arenaria and with Euphorbia cyparissias. The forage species occur mainly on the city borders, along the roadsides, on railways slopes.

The average pollen abundance per 100 flowers was 2.25 mg (Glechoma hederacea) 6.8 mg (Cardaria draba), 20.56 mg (Barbarea vulgaris), 65.08 mg (Potentilla anserina)

Early spring flora is very important as food for the adult bees, for brood rearing and especially for females of bumblebees making their new colonies after winter and for solitary bees.
Forage pattern on Solidago L.

Monika Strzałkowska

Department of Botany, University of Agriculture in Lublin, monika.strzalkowska©ar.lublin.pl

Different wild species are recommended for flow improvement (Szklanowska 1995, Jabłoński 2000, Denisow 2004).

During the course of three years study (2001-2003) on nectar and pollen efficiency of Solidago sp. the detailed observations of some aspects of blooming and insects visits were made. The Solidago gigantea Aiton, S. canadensis L., S. virgaurea L. s.str. i S. hybrida hort. were cultivated on experimental plots in Pulawy (south-eastern Poland). Additionally two species S. gigantea and S. virgaurea were studied in anthropogenic phytocoenoses in Wlostowice near Pulawy.

The blooming of investigated species lasted from the end of July till the end of September in the period of summer flow gap. The pattern of diurnal dynamic of blooming was similar for all studied species. The blossom of disc florets was most intensive between 9.00 and 13.00 (EET). The flowers were visited mainly by nectar and pollen collectors of Apis mellifera, which consisted 90% of pollinators. The participation of different Bombus sp. and solitary bees was similar – 0.6%, Diptera 5.3%, Vespula sp. 3.2%, Lepidoptera and Coleoptera consisted only 0.3% of pollinators. During dry, sunny weather insects foraged on Solidago sp. from 8.00 till 16.00 (17.00) and most intensively in mid-day hours. In pick blooming period (full blooming phase) 30-40 honey bees per 1m² were observed. The pollen loads were brick orange in color and weighted 6-9 mg per pair, on average.

The time of blooming, abundance of nectar and pollen delivered, the intensity of Apis mellifera and wild bees forages, create large possibilities to propagate Solidago sp. on different barrens to improve forage base.

University of Pretoria, E-mail: hhuman©zoology.up.ac.za

The most important indigenous bee plant in South Africa is the winter flowering Aloe greatheadii var davyana, eagerly utilised by migratory beekeepers when other food sources is unavailable. The strong pollen and nectar flow of this aloe is used not only for honey production but also to build up colonies. Fresh, bee-collected and stored pollen was collected and analysed for its nutritional content. Analyses included amino acid and fatty acid composition. Protein content of this pollen is the highest reported yet for South African pollens and the overall nutritional content appears to be superior to that of many other types of pollen. The three types of pollen differed significantly from each other. After collection and storage by honeybees, increases in water content (13 to 21% wet mass) and carbohydrate content (35 to 61% dry mass) were observed, resulting in decreases in crude protein (51 to 28% dry mass) and lipid content (10 to 8% dry mass). Proportions of essential and non-essential amino acids did not differ significantly between the three types of pollen. With the exception of tryptophan, all the essential amino acids for honeybees were present in equal or higher amounts than the required minimum levels for bee development. Fatty acids comprised a higher proportion of total lipid in fresh than in bee-collected and stored pollen. Concentrations of individual fatty acids in A. greatheadii var davyana pollen were close to values reported for other pollens, the major difference being the high gadoleic acid content. To our knowledge this study is the first to compare the nutritional content of fresh, bee-collected and stored pollen from a single species.


Influence of different pollen conservation conditions. Preliminary studies

Pérez Martín, R.A., González Lorente, M.,Vela Hortigüela L. and de Lorenzo Carretero, C.

Dpto. de Agroalimentación. Instituto Madrileño de Investigación y Desarrollo Rural, Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDRA). Finca El Encín, Aptdo. 127, 28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid (Spain).

Bee pollen is one of the foodstuffs of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), which collects pollen grains from different flower species. This product is mainly composed by proteins, free aminoacids, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Open air-drying, artificial heating or freezing are the most commonly used methods for conservation of bee pollen, although this product is usually marketed in a dried form. Data about the effects of preservative methods on some pollen properties are scarce in the available literature.

In the present work, preliminary assays have been carried out in order to study the influence of different pollen conservation conditions on its main characteristics. Colour, pH, acidity, humidity, microbiological load (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and moulds) total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were the parameters evaluated in this work. The effects of drying, freezing and vacuum processes were evaluated. Assays were carried out after two weeks of sample collection and changes were evaluated six moths after treatments.

Results showed that all treatments yielded a high reduction in the initial quantity of microorganisms. Dry pollen showed a higher increase of colour and polyphenols content than the other treatments. In general, the antioxidant capacity of the product was similar or a little higher for all of them.


Insect and mite pests infesting and contaminating bee bread and pollen loads

W. Chmielewski

Apiculture Division, Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland; E-mail of the corresponding Author: wit.chmielewski©man.pulawy.pl

Pollen loads and bee bread are compounds of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, vitamins, various organic acids, enzymes and other substances. As valuable food for bees and very useful attractive human nutriments and raw materials for food, farmaceutical and cosmetic industries, they should be free of pests and contaminations.

The aim of this study was recognation of species composition and numerousness of acaro-entomofauna infesting hive products in question and broading of knowledge on this topic.

Two methods were used, i.e. sifting method with use of the strainers (for pollen loads collected from pollen traps) and exhauster (vacuum cleaner) method for separation and collecting of arthropods from stored honeycombs full of bee bread. Microscopical analyses of 655 collected samples show that total over 90% was infested and contaminated with arthropods (including dead bees). Intensity of infestation was diversified from single to hundrieds of pest specimens per 100 g of sample. Stored bee bread was usually stronger infested than fresh pollen pellets taken from pollen traps. List of insects and mites includes over 40 identified species. Among them were mainly synanthropic stored product pests associated also with beehives, i.e. beetles, moths and psocids: Tribolium madens, Dermestes lardarius, Dermestes maculatus, Achroia grisella, Galleria mellonella, Lachesilla pedicularia, Liposceslis divinatorius. Among mites were indentified mainly acaroids, commonly known stored product species belonging to Acaridae, Carpopglyphidae and Glycyphagidae families (e.g. Carpoglyphus lactis, Glycyphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus longior); parasites (dead Varroa) and predators (Aceosejidae, Cheyletidae) were also observed.