CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF

PROFESSIONAL APICULTURISTS L' ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES PROFESSIONELS DE L' APICULTURE

Proceedings 2012

Hôtel Château Laurier Québec City, Québec November 15, 2012

CONTENTS AGENDA MINUTES Members Present ................................................................................................................................................. 1 President's Report ............................................................................................................................................... 1 CHC Report .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Minutes of 2011 AGM ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Financial Report .................................................................................................................................................. 4 AAFC Honey Market Report ............................................................................................................................. 6 CFIA Honey Report ............................................................................................................................................ 6 PMRA Report ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 CFIA Bee Importation Report ............................................................................................................................ 8 USA Apiculture Report (AIA) ............................................................................................................................. 8 Provincial Reports ................................................................................................................................................ 8 National Survey Report ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Importation Committee Report ........................................................................................................................ 15 Chemical Committee Report ............................................................................................................................. 19 Research Report ................................................................................................................................................. 25 CANPOLIN Report ............................................................................................................................................ 26 Awards Report .................................................................................................................................................... 26 CBRF Report ...................................................................................................................................................... 26 Non-Apis Report ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Honey Bee Diseases & Pests Publication Sales Report .................................................................................... 28 New Disease Publication Report ....................................................................................................................... 29 Communications Committee Report ................................................................................................................ 30 Africanized Bee Report ...................................................................................................................................... 33 BeeBAC (Bee Biosecurity) Report .................................................................................................................... 35 Archive Report .................................................................................................................................................. 37 New Business ...................................................................................................................................................... 38 CAPA 2013 Approved Budget .......................................................................................................................... 38 Committee Selection 2013 ................................................................................................................................. 39 2013 CAPA Executive & Committees ............................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX AAFC Honey Market Report Power Point Presentation ............................................................................... 42 CFIA Honey Report Power Point Presentation ............................................................................................... 49 PMRA Report Power Point Presentation ......................................................................................................... 51 USA Apiculture Report (AIA) Power Point Presentation .............................................................................. 60 Provincial Apiarist Reports Summary, 2012 Production Season ................................................................... 63 Provincial Apiarist Report - British Columbia ................................................................................................ 64 Provincial Apiarist Report - Alberta ............................................................................................................... 65 Provincial Apiarist Report - Saskatchewan ..................................................................................................... 67 Provincial Apiarist Report - Manitoba ............................................................................................................. 68 Provincial Apiarist Report - Ontario ................................................................................................................ 71 Provincial Apiarist Report - Québec ................................................................................................................ 80 Provincial Apiarist Report - New Brunswick .................................................................................................. 82 Provincial Apiarist Report - Nova Scotia ......................................................................................................... 83 Provincial Apiarist Report - Prince Edward Island ........................................................................................ 84 CAPA Import Committee Power Point Presentation ...................................................................................... 85 Research Reports ................................................................................................................................................ 89 CANPOLIN Newsletter ................................................................................................................................... 128 CAPA BYLAWS .............................................................................................................................................. 134 CAPA MEMBERSHIP LIST .......................................................................................................................... 137 Group Photo – 2012 CAPA AGM Attendees ................................................................................................. 145

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists 2012/13Business Meeting

Hôtel Château Laurier – Du Jardin Room Québec City, Québec November 15, 2012

THURSDAY – November 15th, 2012 ( 8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.) Welcome and Introductions - Rhéal Lafrenière

Agenda - Rhéal Lafrenière

President’s Report - Rhéal Lafrenière

CHC Report - Gerry McKee

Minutes of 2011-12 Meeting - Chris Jordan

Financial Report for 2012 (Interim) - Chris Jordan

AAFC Honey Market Report - Stephen Page

CFIA Honey Report - Debbie Fishbein

PMRA Report - Kurt Randall & Connie Hart

CFIA Bee Importation - No representative present

USA Apiculture Report (AIA) - Michael Hansen

Provincial Reports - Provincial Apiarists

Committee Reports

National Survey Report - Paul Kozak

Importation Report - Medhat Nasr

• National bee health Baseline Study

Chemical Report - Geoff Wilson & Paul Kozak

Research Report - Leonard Foster (written report)

CANPOLIN Report - Peter Kevan & Rob Currie

Awards Report - Alison Van Alten

CBRF Report - Rob Currie

Non-Apis Report - David Ostermann (written report)

Publication Sales Report - Janet Tam (written report)

New Disease Publication Report - Steve Pernal

Communication Report - Andony Melathopoulos (written report)

Africanized Bee Report - Ernesto Guzman

BeeBAC - Steve Pernal

Archive Report - Rob Currie

Proposed Budget 2013 - Chris Jordan Committee Selection - Rhéal Lafrenière

MINUTES Members Present Abdullah Ibrahim, Brian Lacey, Chris Jordan, Claude Boucher, Devan Rawn, Émile Houle, Ernesto Guzman, Fletcher Colpitts, Geoff Wilson, Graham Parsons, Marta Guarna, Heather Higo, Jessica Morris, Joanne Moran, Les Eccles, Lynae Vandervalk, Medhat Nasr, Melanie Kempers, Nicolas Tremblay, Paul Kozak, Pierre Giovenazzo, Rasoul Bahreini, Rhéal Lafrenière, Rob Currie, Sam Muirhead, Shelley Hoover, Steve Pernal, Suresh Desai, Doug McRory, Georges Martin. Guests Debbie Fishbein, Kurt Randall, Gerry McKee, Connie Hart. Welcome and Introductions Rhéal Lafrenière President Lafrenière called the meeting to order at 8:12 am and welcomed everyone to the meeting. A round table of introductions was made for those in attendance. Agenda Rhéal Lafrenière MOTION: Motion to approve the agenda as circulated. MOVED BY: Medhat Nasr SECONDED BY: Claude Boucher CARRIED President’s Report Rhéal Lafrenière I would like to welcome you all to “the 55th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA). I would like to extend a special thank you to Pierre Giovenazzo, Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ), Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and the CAPA members on the organizing committee for putting together what would appear to be an excellent convention of meetings, research symposia, workshops and tradeshow. It has been only 10 months since the last CAPA AGM in Winnipeg, but there is no shortage of things to discuss at this year’s meeting. CAPA’s import committee, chaired by Medhat Nasr had another busy year working with Provincial Apiarists and CFIA on import issues. None-the-less of which were to provide recommendations to CFIA for harmonizing the bee import protocols from various countries, to respond to the proposed

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changes to Australia’s surveillance and control program for Apis cerana and to respond to an import request to allow queens from Argentina. The committee also worked to review the export criteria for exporting genetic material to Chile and harmonizing the list of regulated pests and diseases in the Bee Acts across Canada. The committee was also prepared to go into action if problems with small hive beetle arose during the importation of queens from Hawaii. This year the protocol that was put into place last year appears to have averted any problem with small hive beetles entering Canada via queen shipments from Hawaii. More information on CAPA’s Import committee activities will be covered in the Import committee report. The Chemical committee, chaired by Geoff Wilson also had another busy year. Working with Provincial Apiarists the committee chair took the lead again to submit another Emergency Use Registration for Apivar®. Fortunately PMRA was able to grant a conditional full registration for Apivar® after the EUR application was submitted making the EUR redundant. This committee was also involved in putting together the registration information for the use of acetic acid to decontaminate beekeeping equipment for nosema disease management but unfortunately the project was severely impacted by federal cuts to PMRA, which will significantly affect the speed at which this project will proceed. The Chemical committee chair also worked closely with CFIA Honey Program personnel to look at the issue of bee repellent residues in honey and helping to define “melter honey”. More information on CAPA’s Chemical committee activities will be covered in the Chemical committee report. Another standing committee that I know has strong leadership is the Research committee, chaired by Leonard Foster. In addition to pulling together the research activity reports, which is not an easy task, this committee will be called upon next year to coordinate a research priority setting workshop. This workshop is typically coordinated every five years, and although this year should have been the year to have this workshop with all of the activities associated with this year’s national meeting (i.e. Apimondia symposium and workshops), it was best to postpone the workshop till next year – Good luck Leonard and team. I would like to thank the Awards committee and CBRF Directors for their hard work. Given that this year’s meeting is occurring in November, the final decisions on the student award and successful CBRF proposals will not be announced till after these meetings, but will certainly be communicated to the membership at a later date. There are also a number of Ad-hoc committees, which we will hear from as well. These committees do a tremendous job of keeping us informed as well as helping the association communicate to the public. Case in point, I know how much of a struggle it was again this year to coordinate getting the survey information on wintering losses across Canada for the national winter loss report. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting this report out in a timely fashion. The committee is aware of this and I vow to help the committee in any way I can to ensure that the survey report, is available to all that want it no later that the 1st of August. The 2012 Wintering Loss report is now posted on the new CAPA website: www.capabees.org. Thank you Paul Kozak and the National Survey committee and Andony Melathopoulos and communications committee, keep up the good work!!!

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The publication sales coordinator, Janet Tam certainly had a busy year and as it stands right now, we are virtually out of inventory for the Honey Bee Diseases and Pest (English version). Luckily, the new disease publication, which was contracted to Heather Clay to help coordinate along with Steve Pernal and committee, is very close to being completed. Thanks to all the contributors! Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to thank my executive officers: Vice-president, Medhat Nasr; Secretary/Treasurer Chris Jordan and Past-President Steve Pernal for their hard work and council, it is a pleasure working with you! Rhéal Lafrenière CAPA President MOTION: Motion that the President’s Report be accepted as presented. MOVED BY: Geoff Wilson SECONDED BY: Joanne Moran CARRIED CHC Report Gerry McKee It was 2006 in Quebec City that there was a restructuring or the organization and now we have a new corporate model. Hive Health is top priority. Initial priority was market share which prompted the name change a few years ago. Labour with respect to importing foreign workers; Food Safety is also increasing very quickly. CHC has been working on several projects. There is a need for more timely information on survey results to beekeepers. Incidence of pesticides has been a problem with us for 7 years. A growing momentum that something needs to be done. Losses are not acceptable. A committee will be devoting significant time to examine this issue. Not a blame game, but look at a consensus approach. CHC is also dealing with the idea of opening the US border to packages. Medhat indicated that he would like to see some coordination with meetings. Regulatory guys are torn between two meetings. Agenda came too late to organize meetings appropriately. Important to deal with national issues. Gerry agreed that more coordination is needed. The Apimondia meeting posed some logistical problems. Location for next year’s AGM has not been decided upon yet. British Columbia is a possible location. Other Associations may also be holding their meetings at the same time and may possibly be interested in hosting in 2014. President Lafrenière thanked Gerry for his CHC Report.

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Minutes of 2011-12 Meeting Chris Jordan Secretary / Treasurer Chris Jordan indicated that the Minutes of the 2011 AGM (Winnipeg) were previously circulated on CAPA-L. Members have made suggestions to correct minor discrepancies. Final Proceedings will be posted on the CAPA website. MOTION: Move that the Minutes of the 2011 AGM be accepted as circulated. MOVED BY: Joanne Moran SECONDED BY: Marta Guarna CARRIED Financial Report for 2012 Chris Jordan Pierre Giovenazzo indicated that CAPA’s $1,500 contribution to Apimondia was used to offset expenses for the workshops. MOTION: Motion that the 2012 Interim Financial Report be accepted as

circulated and that the final version of the financials be circulated after the fiscal year end.

MOVED BY: Rob Currie SECONDED BY: Steve Pernal CARRIED Since the annual meeting, the year-end financial report for 2012 was completed and presented to the Executive for approval (October 18, 2013). MOTION: Motion that the 2012 Final Financial Report be accepted as

presented. MOVED BY: Medhat Nasr SECONDED BY: Steve Pernal CARRIED

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2012 CAPA Financial Statement

GIC Term Deposit Opening Balance (January 1, 2012) $20,204.54Opening balance (January 1, 2012) $23,331.72

Jan. 01, 2012 - December 31, 2012REVENUE

Membership23 2013 Full 920.008 2013 Associate 160.00

42 2012 Full 1,678.7212 2012 Associate 239.482 2011 Full 80.001 2011 Associate 20.00

Meetings25 Registrations (Winnipeg AGM) 1,397.5024 Registrations Quebec City AGM) 1,440.00

Publication 6,823.56

UPS Refund 63.42

PayPal Setup 0.16

GST Rebate (2011) 166.27

$12,989.11 $36,320.83

EXPENDITURES

PublicationsPrinting 0.00S/H charges 521.09

New PublicationContracting 7,093.34Printing 0.00Electronic Version 0.00

Meeting Charge AGM Winnipeg 1,348.53

IBRA Donation 500.00

AwardsStudent Award 600.00 Shipping 34.57

Apimondia 2012 1,500.00

Wink Holland Memorial Fund One-Time Donation 500.00

Misc. (cards, postage, etc.) 6.40

CAPA Website Maintenance 168.00Redesign 228.90

Banking Fees (includes PayPal Charges) 37.38

$12,538.21 $23,782.62

GIC Term Deposit $20,303.89Cash $23,782.62

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AAFC Honey Market Report Stephen Page Power Point presentation is included in the APPENDIX. Pollination value for Canada must include other crops, including blueberries from eastern Canada. GMO honey exports to Germany & UK went to zero, similar to France (2012). The regulatory issue has been looking at the GMO issue. The European public perception is significant. CFIA is also getting some inquiries regarding GMO honey. The GMO screens need to be approved by the EU. It is not stopped by regulation, but the public is making it an issue. President Lafrenière thanked Stephen Page for his report. CFIA Honey Report Debbie Fishbein Power Point presentation is included in the APPENDIX. CFIA carries out testing on regular basis for bee repellants, pesticide residues, veterinary and environmental residues. Benzaldehyde and bytyric acid. Use the 0.1 ppm default to determine violation. This is a low MRL as a result we had high non-compliance rates. There is concern that this may affect the marketability to the public. Honey Council and CAPA asked to review assessment criteria. CFIA asked Health Canada to carry out review to see if 0.1 ppm is appropriate. Health Canada has decided that this MRL is not appropriate. Not an agricultural chemical or pesticide. As a result, the 0.1 ppm no longer applies. Testing no longer includes analysis for these components. Beekeepers continue to use but should follow the manufacture’s directions. CFIA only does veterinary drugs but not bee repellants. Some reports may still include results due to lag time in reporting publications. Health Canada said there is no health risk with levels found in honey. Health Canada indicated that if the levels were 10X higher, there would still be no health risk. Deliberate abuse would be the result of such high levels. Exporting countries may consider these products as unacceptable therefore important to know your receiving countries. The Honey Program has worked with Geoff Wilson and Rhéal Lafrenière to determine what melter honey is to identify risks with trade of melter honey. Survey near completion and will be distributed to industry. CFIA would like to start a working group for the melter honey industry. The working group would include CAPA so that we can understand the melter honey industry which has been around for many years. A lot of melter honey is exported so CFIA wants a better understanding of this product. The goal would be to develop a Best Practices Guide for this industry.

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Melter honey is derived from wax. It is rendered from old comb, melted down and the honey that remains is melter honey. This is a hot process, not a cold process. Wax is melted and remaining honey is melter honey. Often used as an ingredient in the baker industry. There is a need to identify the different categories of melter honey. The working group will address this. Results of the chemical residue testing are reported to CAPA each year. CFIA has released their latest results (2009-2010). Chemical residue analysis of domestic product for pesticides. Very random and non-biased. Bee repellants are included. The majority of non-compliance is in this category. Positives included low MRL. Imported honey had a much larger range of residues. Some positive. There were two violations for imported honey. Bee repellants were still reported at that time. There were a fair amount of positives for veterinary drug residues: oxytet and tylosin. Semicarbazide violation were detected on packaging material samples, not from use patterns of the drug. Imports: range of residues and more violations. Follow-up takes place at import level. Surveillance testing results are not reported yet due to timing of this meeting. Approximately 300 tests were done on each survey sample. Most testing takes place in registered establishments which tend to be from the west. This may be a bit of a bias towards the western provinces. Fumigillin did have three (3) positive results in the past. No product action was taken. CFIA is still trying to get more information in terms of health risk. Zero (0) is default MRL. Rate of testing by CFIA is around 300 samples across the country. Samples are taken from bulk and/or bottled honey. Samples come from any product, including retail pack. President Lafrenière thanked Debbie Fishbein for her report. PMRA Report Kurt Randall & Connie Hart Power Point presentation is included in the APPENDIX. Kurt reported on pest control products and Connie reported on pesticide incidence. PMRA does not have experience in bee health / beekeeping experience. Therefore, a strong relationship with provinces is important due to the close relationship PA’s have with beekeepers. The experience in 2012 has provided excellent working relationships between PMRA and provinces. This relationship should be strengthened going forward. President Lafrenière thanked Kurt Randall & Connie Hart for their report.

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CFIA Bee Importation No report from CFIA was presented. USA Apiculture Report (AIA) Michael Hansen Power Point presentation is included in the APPENDIX. An increased awareness concerning the seed treatment issue and bee health was created by several recent reports. President Lafrenière thanked Michael Hansen for his report. Provincial Reports Provincial Apiarists Detailed provincial reports are included in the APPENDIX. Prince Edward Island undergoing a Pollination Plan between beekeepers and blueberry growers in an attempt to address border issues and colony supply for blueberry pollination. An Overwintering Bee Mortality Program is also being introduced in fall of 2012. Nova Scotia introduced a Bee Expansion Program to increase the number of bee colonies. NS and Dalhousie are developing a four module beekeeping course to be delivered over weekends. Andony Melathopoulos is one of the key lecturers for the workshops. Bee imports from Ontario occurred in 2012 for the first time. There was controversy over these imports. An importation protocol was developed to import bees into NS to address the HBTM and SHB issues in Ontario. SHB trapping was done in 2012 by NS staff. NSDA is looking to change its act to include an importation fee. The NS beekeeper would have to pay this fee. Nova Scotia’s contingency plan for a positive SHB find in imported colonies is the immediate return of colonies back to Ontario. New Brunswick imported approximately 19,300 colonies for blueberry pollination. EFB seems to be increasing over the years. This may be related to wild blueberry pollination. In Michigan, the EFB disappears after a few weeks from leaving blueberries. Michigan (Michael Hansen) believes this is due to acidic soils. Nutrition may also be. SHB traps have gone in along the Maine / NB border. Quebec has two interesting points. Animal Health Regulation s were amended to include infestation of SHB. Tropilaelaps spp, American foulbrood and Africanized Honey Bee also added as notifiable diseases/pests. SHB found for the first time in 2008. In 2011, after active surveillance in the risk zone (Southwestern part of the province), three sites were found infested at the end of the season and were depopulated in spring 2012. $250

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compensation provided to beekeepers for depopulation. Active surveillance continued in 2012 in Southwestern part of Quebec and along US border and Ontario. Visual inspections and detection with specific SHB traps conducted and all were negative. Actually, no more sites in Quebec with SHB infestation were detected. Ontario reports that winter mortality was at its lowest lever over the last decade. Approximately 26,000 honey bee colonies left Ontario for pollination for cranberry, blueberry. Varroa mites were detected in the Thunder Bay area for the first time. Approximately 12,655 colonies inspected for SHB. SHB was found in 60 yard (Chathan Kent County). Two (2) sites around Dufferin Simcoe counties. Twenty six colonies between 2 yards and set to be depopulated end of November. Niagara county had two (2) yards which were affected and voluntarily depopulated by fire. Lampton County (along border with Michigan) with five honey bee colonies (quarantined and depopulated). Continue with quarantine area given number of infested sites. It is still an isolated pocket of the province. Pesticide incidence issue still ongoing. Symptoms are very characteristic with dead bees i.e. large piles of dead bees, twitching, pollen on hind legs, dead song birds. Approximately 3% of Ontario colonies reported. Reported incidence of high levels of queen loss with Mite Away Quik Strips. Ontario will be updating their Bees Act with ‘modern’ pests and diseases. The act is set to be repealed some time in the future. Queen issues have also been noted. The Tech Transfer Program (TTP) reports that queens tend to show decreasing sperm counts. Numbers are running around 50% on average (live/dead). Questions around why this happening and more work is concerned. Approaching 4.5 – 5.0 million average sperm count. Not much information available to show viability levels. Manitoba spring came a lot earlier in 2012. One of the first year where recovery was good and industry is expanding. A lot of colonies came through winter very strong, many splits occurred during honey flow. Dry conditions contributed. Many reports from beekeepers with supercedure with queens (immediately and 3 weeks later). Survey suggests that it may be related to queens from Hawaii. Many beekeepers were still indicating that the rate of supercedure was higher than normal. Higher losses were in stronger colonies compared to previous years. Queens had difficulty with dominance over their new bee population. Reasons are unclear. Hawaiians came out with highest level of supercedure (15% +/- 10%). Many factors involved. SHB detected in Manitoba. Discovery was from beekeeper in his extracting facility. Confined to a bee yard and one more beetle was found. This was identified as SHB by CFIA. Samples were smaller in size than normal. Continued inspections of neighbouring beekeepers. The location is close to North Dakota border where another beekeeper runs up against the US (approximately 1 mile from border). This find occurred in September when the operation was quarantined with no movement of bees except for moving into wintering building. Further action is under consideration. Working with other provinces and CFIA is priority in terms of strategies for managing SHB. Manitoba is looking at impact of not zoning for SHB.

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Saskatchewan had low winter losses. Lots of splits were made to take advantage of high honey prices. Too much rain in that province. Really wet during canola bloom and a lot of honey was missed during that period. On a trend of increasing to 125,000 colonies going into winter. This trend is consistent over past three years. Importation criteria developed after a ban on importation. Protocols are based on CFIA protocols. Alberta continues to increase every year to 282,000 colonies with low (15%) winterkill. Shelley Hoover is now employed as Research Scientist in Alberta. Move about 75,000 to canola pollination (record high). Reports of supercedure with queens from Hawaii. Quality increased by end of season. Apivar working well. Testing for resistance efficacy still high. ChekMite is not working well in Alberta. Formic Acid used by 90% of beekeepers with MiteWipes most popular. May approach PMRA to improve label for the use of MAQS. There is some Apivar resistance in Europe and USA. Placement of strips is very important to effective use of Apivar. Should be moved inside the cluster. Spring treatment seems to be best time for Apivar treatment as opposed to the Fall. This may be due to the increasing size of the cluster. National Survey Report Paul Kozak

CAPA Statement on Honey Bee Wintering Losses in Canada (2012)

Compiled by CAPA National Survey Committee and Provincial Apiarists: Claude Boucher, Les Eccles, Kristina Head, Chris Jordan, Paul Kozak, Rhéal Lafrenière, Chris Maund, Joanne Moran, Medhat Nasr, David Ostermann, Steve Pernal, Paul Van Westendorp, Geoff Wilson In 2012, the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) National Survey committee developed a core set of questions that the Provincial Apiarists surveys could use to report on honey bee wintering losses in their province. These standardized questions facilitated direct comparison of key wintering loss data across the country. The following report is a summary of the reported winter losses from the provincial surveys. Over the winter of 2011 – 2012, the average level of wintering loss of honey bee colonies (i.e. colony mortality or colonies too weak to be commercially productive) across Canada was 15.3% (Table 1). This is the lowest wintering loss rate for Canada in the past six years (Figure 1). In comparison to last year, provincial wintering losses were also lower this year for all provinces (Figure 2).

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Table 1. Gross Wintering Losses by Province, 2011/2012 Province Number of

Colonies Wintered Fall 2011

Number of Dead or Unproductive Colonies Spring 2012

Percent Wintering Loss (%)

British Columbia 42,000 11,340 27.0 Alberta 274,000 35,620 13.0 Saskatchewan 90,000 15,300 17.0 Manitoba 80,000 12,800 16.0 Ontario 90,000 10,800 12.0 Quebec 40,000 6,400 16.0 New Brunswick 6,800 1,900 27.9 Nova Scotia 17,500 3,308 18.9 Prince Edward Island 5,300 1,007 19.0 CANADA 645,600 98,475 15.3 Weather: Weather was seen as a major factor in the reduced wintering losses in 2011 / 2012. The mild winter condition combined with healthy bees resulted in fewer colonies dying during winter and a greater proportion of strong colonies in the spring. Many provinces reported that spring arrived early, thus allowing population build up to occur earlier than usual. This was not the case in every region of every province. Many parts of B.C. reported a cold, wet spring, which contributed to the dwindling of colonies coming out of winter. In the previous winter, 2010 / 2011, the winter was cold and long followed by a cold wet spring that delayed the population build up of honey bee colonies in many regions of Canada. Though management and pest and disease issues are often considered the principal factors influencing honey bee health, the last two seasons have highlighted that weather may still be a critical factor when it comes to wintering loss in Canada. Weather may also be a factor with respect to the population dynamics of honey bee pests and diseases, particularly related to the development of the colony as in the case with varroa and periods of brood rearing. Varroa control: The vast majority of beekeepers in Canada are managing varroa levels at regular intervals through chemical and cultural means. The continued management of varroa in honey bee colonies is widely recognized as one of the primary goals with respect to maintaining honey bee health. Apivar®, when used properly, provided effective management of varroa infestations. Beekeepers in Canada are still regularly using organic acids as part of the rotation of chemical treatments, but continue to rely heavily on synthetic treatments. Although there are a variety of chemical options available to beekeepers, all have their advantages and disadvantages. This includes timing of treatments, pattern of use, temperature dependence and the development of resistance in varroa mite populations. The use of new methods of varroa control in an integrated pest management framework is therefore essential to the sustainability of mite control for this industry. The promotion of monitoring and using effective control options continues to be the focus of many extension and education activities promoting honey bee health.

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Beekeepers awareness of these principles and the adoption of best management practices that incorporate good food safety practices are regarded as the future direction for this industry. Nosema: Nosema is still considered a serious pathogen in Canada that may be influencing colony survival. In Alberta, nosema was cited as one of the major reasons for colony mortality in a few operations. In the past, nosema disease was recognized primarily as a winter disease. It has long been established that Nosema apis increases in severity throughout the winter months, peaking in early spring. Fumagilin treatments have been demonstrated to suppress levels of Nosema apis. With the discovery of Nosema ceranae, the seasonal relationship between nosema disease and honey bee health is less clear. Furthermore, there may be regional variations that may underlie the severity of nosema disease. Current strategies to address nosema disease include research projects that address the impact of the disease on the health of colonies. Novel treatment options must be developed along with programs that promote monitoring disease levels as part of the management strategy for this disease. Pesticides: There are still many concerns amongst beekeepers regarding the potential chronic and sub-lethal impact of pesticides and agrochemicals (particularly systemic insecticides). Researchers continue to examine how pesticide effects may impact the long term survival of honey bee colonies, particularly during winter. In addition, Health Canada’s (through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency) environmental assessment addresses the regulation of pesticides through continual risk based assessments and can document any reported pesticide incident. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): Symptoms by which CCD is being characterized in the U.S. have not been diagnosed by professional apiculturists in Canada. Increased levels of colony mortality in Canada are associated with increased levels of winter loss, seen as direct mortality during winter or dwindling during the early spring. The most clearly associated cause of increased winter mortality in Canada has been ineffective Varroa control, demonstrated in recent research from Ontario (Guzman et al., 2010). Although many secondary pest, pathogen, environmental or management factors have been suggested to act individually or in combination to impact colony health, further research is required to establish conclusive links to ongoing patterns of colony death. CAPA continues to be in close contact with scientists participating in U.S. working groups on colony losses. Members of CAPA have also been actively monitoring the status of bee health across the country and are sharing scientific information. Researchers within CAPA are active in evaluating alternative control options for Varroa mites, methods of integrated pest management (IPM) for honey bees and the breeding of queen stock more tolerant of diseases and mites. In several regions of Canada workshops have been conducted to promote IPM practices to beekeepers with particular attention given to surveillance programs to monitor pests and diseases, with emphasis on Varroa and Nosema spp. Attention has also focussed on proper disease identification, winter management, rotation of treatments and discouraging off-label use.

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Members of CAPA, in cooperation with the Canadian Honey Council, are also pursuing the registration of alternative products for Varroa control in Canada. Other areas of research that CAPA members are currently pursuing include studies of honey bee immunity, honey bee viruses, genetic expression of honey bee responses to disease, the biology of new and emerging bee pests and best management practices to promote the health of colonies. For more details on the status of honey bees in the USA see: http://beeinformed.org/2012/05/winter2012/ Conclusion: There was a positive improvement toward lower wintering loss in the spring of 2012. However, an improving trend must continue for several years before we can say with certainty that wintering loss is returning to what is considered a normal rate. Even within provinces that reported lower levels of wintering loss there is variation among different operations with some operations reporting 50% to 80% losses. There were also large differences in mortality among specific regions in provinces. For example, Vancouver Island in B.C reported wintering losses of 64% compared to 20% wintering losses on mainland B.C. Responses from provincial surveys indicated that ineffective varroa control, poor queen health, nosema and weak colonies in fall were the most common reasons for high wintering losses. Clearly the impacts of pest, pathogens and environmental factors continue to be a challenge to commercial beekeepers across Canada. There are a variety of strategies that have been pursued to address these challenges including applied and basic research, pest and pathogens monitoring, regulatory authority to address bee pests and pathogens that may threaten the industry, advisory and extension services to beekeepers promoting best management practices. It has become obvious that the future of beekeeping will depend on a multi-factorial approach to address the risks associated with honey bee health and wintering honey bees in Canada

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Honey Bee Colony Mortality in Canada

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Figure 1. Average National Wintering Loss rates in Canada 2007 -2012

Honey Bee Mortality in Canada - 2011/2012

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Figure 2. Average Percent Wintering Losses by Province 2011 & 2012

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References: Guzman-Novoa E., Eccles L., Calvete Y., McGowan J., Kelly P. and Correa-Benitez A. 2010. Varroa destructor is the main culprit for death and reduced populations of overwintered honey bees in Ontario, Canada. Apidologie. 4 (4): 443-451. Discussion: Realistic timeframe should be considered for this report. PA’s decided that August first is a realistic deadline for a preliminary National Survey Report with November as a final report deadline. Steve Pernal suggested that an on-line survey might be useful to compile the preliminary report (especially by commercial beekeepers) with PA’s continuing to do a more comprehensive survey to complete the final survey. Denis VanEnglesdorp (USA) has a platform for this electronic collection of information. ACTION ITEM: Speak with Denis VanEnglesdorp regarding the potential use of electronic survey platform implementation in Canada for the purpose of collecting wintering losses. Committee to present a couple options for collecting overwintering losses (Responsible: National Survey Committee). Importation Report Medhat Nasr Power Point presentation is included in the APPENDIX. In 2012 the import committee demonstrated once again leadership and cooperation with all stakeholders who requested an opinion for import and export related issues. In most cases all Provincial Apiculturists (PAs) were involved in these discussions and aided in developing recommendations. It was important to include the PAs in these discussions as they are responsible for implementation of the Bee Act and Regulations in their respective provinces. They are also aware of health status of bees in their provinces. All opinions are based on scientific understanding. In some cases international experts were asked to provide suggestions to help in preparation of recommendations. At this time I would like to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Amy Snow, CFIA import/ Export section for all the help provided through the past few years. Her help on the honey bee file of import/export was invaluable. She understood the issues and decision making process that have served the honey bee stakeholders very well. Her work with the CAPA import committee through challenges the beekeeping industry and bee imports faced was an excellent example of professionalism and commitment. On behalf of the CAPA import committee members, I thank her once again and I wish her good luck with the new baby and all the best.

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Accomplished activities: • Harmonization of bee import protocols from various countries: CAPA import committee provided their recommendations to the Canadian Food Inspection agency (CFIA) through the process of harmonization of bee import protocols from various countries. Currently all import protocols are in line with the health status of bees in Canada and considerations are given to export countries to facilitate meeting all bee imports conditions. • Shipments of queens from Hawaii: Protocols for shipment of queens from Hawaii were reviewed and inspection continued by CFIA and PA’s as needed to ensure meeting all conditions of queen imports from Hawaii. CFIA and PAs worked closely to monitor queen imports in the 2012 season. There were no reports of small hive beetles in inspected shipments. • Respond to the status of Apis cerana in Australia and the Australian surveillance Program: A. cerana was first detected in a port area of the city of Cairns in far-north Queensland in May 2007. Australia established a surveillance program in 2007 to monitor and eradicate any A. cerana swarms. In January 2011 the Australian National Management Group agreed that eradication was not technically feasible. However, it did agree to use a management program to mitigate the potential impact of the Asian honey bee. For more information check the following links: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/AnimalIndustries_OtherAnimals/Bees-AHB-Restricted.pdf , http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_15263.htm and http://asianhoneybee.net.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AHB-transition-plan_V1-Nov-2011.pdf This change of policy will impact future imports of bees from Australia and risks associated with introduction of A. cerana to Canada. The CFIA has taken an initiative based on a recommendation from CAPA to immediately conduct a risk assessment to determine potential risks associated with further imports of bees from Australia. The risk assessment will be conducted in 2013 and based on its findings a decision will be made to determine the future of bee imports from Australia. • Imports of queens from Argentina: In response to a request from a beekeeper in Canada to import queens from Argentina, CFIA conducted a risk assessment. Based on available published information and information provided by Argentina, the risk assessment did not support any imports of queens from Argentina. In 2012 Argentina provided more information and requested re-evaluation of the CFIA risk assessment. After consultation with CAPA, PA’s and international experts on the subject, a recommendation was developed for CFIA. Serious risks continue to be associated with current status of bee health in Argentina that could impact bee health in Canada. The CFIA will respond and communicate the findings to Argentina.

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• Exports of genetic material (selected queens) to Chile: A request from Canadian bee stock breeders and CHC was submitted to CFIA to develop an export certificate for queens to Chile to improve stocks exported to Canada. The CFIA worked with the Chilean authority to develop an acceptable export certificate that meets their requirements. CAPA and PA’s helped in providing all necessary information, but the Chilean authority did not accept the Canadian certificate. Further steps were taken to accommodate the Chilean government but their requirements are impossible to meet at this time. • Initiated harmonization of listed diseases and pests in provincial regulations. Several provinces have already taken the legal action to make sure the following list of pests and diseases are added to their regulations. Thus, regulations across the provinces are streamlined and harmonized to reflect the new identified pests that could significantly impact the economics of the beekeeping industry and the health status of bees in Canada. The list of pests recommended by CAPA import committee to update the regulation is as follows:

o The African honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata) and its hybrids o The Cape honey bee: Apis mellifera capensis o The Asian honey bee: Apis cerana o The Asian Nosema: Nosema ceranae o The Asian hornet: Vespa velutina o The Asian mite: Tropilaelaps spp. o The small hive beetle: Aethina tumida

CAPA import committee will continue working with the rest of the provinces to finish this action item by 2013. Bee stock replacement and Stakeholders Symposium: On January 27 and 28, 2012, the CHC held a symposium for the beekeeping stakeholders in Winnipeg. PA’s attended as well as myself as chair of the import committee. The symposium objective was to discuss beekeepers need to have access to stock in a timely fashion. In the symposium the following was concluded:

• Communication within CHC and its members is a key in moving the industry forward.

• A national database would include user friendly and consistently updated information of available bee.

• A National Strategic Plan for the industry as whole is needed to undertake the growth of the industry and provide direction going forward.

• The domestic self‐sufficiency was important to those present and it was realized that in the short term this is not feasible, but should be a goal that CHC leads the industry towards.

• A study of baselines (health, economics, and demand) all need to be developed.

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• Protocols (import, export for example) need to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and that CHC needs to be involved in this process from start to finish and again communicate this to its members.

• The inter‐provincial regulations are also a concern and CHC should be involved in this dialogue to ensure the voice of the beekeepers is heard.

• Importing bee stocks and queens will remain a reality both to meet industry growth and developing bee stocks. Therefore, caution needs to be taken into consideration as to the exporting countries in relation to diseases and pests. Levels of risk need to be assessed to determine acceptable thresholds.

• Education is a key for bee health and stock replacement. It needs to be looked at for Queen and nuc production, wintering, etc.

• Research is needed both at a national and regional level in the areas of pest control and disease as well as genetics and production. Research should also include pilot projects that could be dispersed across the country to ensure that regional differences are taken into account.

• Overall the group felt that the communication exchange at the meeting was one of the most useful tools undertaken by CHC. Further meetings of this type should continue into the future as the exchange of ideas, opinions and dialogue is invaluable.

I would like to thank all import committee members and PA’s for their support and contributions during 2012. Discussion: Australian bees will be permitted into Canada for 2013, but 2014 season is unknown at this time. Risk assessment is currently underway. Apis ceranae status may affect eligibility of imports from Tasmania into Canada. New Zealand is our most viable source of packages into Canada. They don’t have inspection system run by the government. They have Assurance Quality program (AsureQuality Ltd). They report to the government. Surveillance conducted for many pests/diseases. Risk Assessment for Argentina was done based on a request to import into Canada. Risk Assessment indicated too risky due to Africanized Bees in that country. Argentina will continue to pressure Canada to import their bees. No monitoring for Africanization. Overall, no system in place. Canada needs to update its regulations to reflect modern pests/diseases on the provincial level: A.ceranae, Africanized Honey Bees, viruses, Tropilaelaps spp Stock Replacement Committee created by CHC to secure bees coming to Canada to meet the demands. Potential exporting company profile must be met. Baseline study must be completed in Canada. CHC / CFIA involved to provide a snap shot regarding identified pests. No money available for CFIA, but must be scientifically valid and recognized in published journal. Protocols are being developed. Rhéal Lafrenière and Medhat Nasr represent CAPA on this committee.

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MOTION: Motion to accept the Importation Report as presented. MOVED BY: Medhat Nasr SECONDED BY: Les Eccles CARRIED Medhat thanks CFIA and committee members for their help over the year. ACTION ITEM: Write a letter to CFIA thanking Amy Snow for her work and ask CFIA for new replacement ASAP (Responsible: CAPA Executive). Chemical Report Geoff Wilson & Paul Kozak 1. Full Registrations 1.A. Registration of Mite Away Quick Strips (MAQS™) (A.I. Formic Acid 46.7%) MAQS™ received full registration for control of Varroa mites in early January 2012. This product has eliminated some of the problems with using liquid formic acid however; some beekeepers that have used this product in Canada have reported to provincial apiarists over 30 percent queens damaged / lost when used according to label instructions. One incident in Ontario was reported to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) through their incident reporting system. In this case 64% queens were lost. When investigated some cases displayed queen loss with signs of supersedure while other cases appeared to be hopelessly queenless with no signs of attempted queen replacement. The timing of the loss of many queens appeared to correlate with the application of MAQS™ Caution should be advised in use of this product. Beekeepers should be encouraged to report incidents of colony damage to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Discussions need to take place on how to best deal with the reported colony damage associated with MAQS™ 1.B. Emergency Use Registration (EUR) / Conditional registration of Apivar® (A.I. Amitraz 3.33%) The Canadian Honey Council (CHC), Provincial Associations, Provincial Apiarists and Provincial Minor use Coordinators applied for an EUR of Apivar® for the period of July 1, 2012 until June 30 2013. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) granted a conditional full registration for Apivar® after the EUR application was submitted making the EUR redundant. The EUR was requested to be withdrawn by the Provincial Apiarists. Arysta Life-Sciences and Veto Pharma have committed to provide the remaining documents of the data package requested by the PMRA to fulfill the conditions of registration. There were reports that Apivar® did not work in some beekeeping operations. In many cases, these were investigated and it does not appear that resistance caused the higher than anticipated level of Varroa mites and losses. In all most all cases it appeared that

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poor application of the control products which did not allow enough contact between the bees and the Apivar® strips was responsible for the lack of control. 1.C. Minor Use Registration of Permanone® (A.I. Permethrin 10%) The full minor use registration was granted for Permanone® for the control of small hive beetles around bee hives. A replacement permethrine product will need to be registered as Permanone is likely to be removed from the market in the near term. 2. Emergency Use Registrations (EUR) 2.A. EUR of Apivar® (A.I. Amitraz 3.33%) An Emergency Use Registration for Apivar® was submitted and withdrawn (see section 1.B. for details) 3. Products of Interest for future registration 3.A. Bayvarol® (A.I. Flumethrin 0.06%) In late 2012, initial indications were made by Bayer to register Bayvarol® for Varroa mite control in Canada. Providing an additional control product is a positive step for the beekeeping industry. Some concerns exist regarding resistance management for Bayvarol®. For optimal resistance management it is important to use products with different modes of action. Both Bayvarol® and the currently registered Apistan® (A.I. Fluvalinate-tau 10.25%) are synthetic pyrethroids with the same mode of action. The evidence for cross resistance between Apistan® and Bayvarol® is conflicting. There is some evidence to indicate there is little to no cross resistance while other evidence indicates that cross resistance between these products exists. The industry will be very grateful for this additional tool but the search needs to continue for new Varroa treatments with alternate modes of action. 3.B. Alternate Varroa control products Work continues by research groups across Canada on additional products. HopGuard™ and additional thymol treatments appear to have promise however; further work is needed before commercial release in Canada. Additional work is being done with other treatment options. These products are at earlier stages of product development and little can be released about their progress at this time. 3.C. Acetic Acid Acetic acid was in the initial stages of registration to assist with the management of Nosema spp. in stored bee equipment. This registration halted after the PMRA budget cuts and the elimination of the positions coordinating this registration for multiple industries. Re-initiation may proceed through other channels at the PMRA.

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3.D. Tylosin Tylosin is not currently registered for use on bee colonies; however, it has been used through veterinarian prescription for the control of oxytetracycline resistant American Foulbrood in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Some residues of tylosin are being found in Canadian honey and although working residue limits have been established, maximum residue limits are needed. This requires a full registration. A working group has been assembled to investigate registration of Tylan® for American foulbrood control. 4. Other honey bee management product issues 4.A. Bee repellents Residues of butyric acid and benzaldehyde were being found in honey that exceeded the MRL of 0.1 ppm. A risk assessment by the Bureau of Chemical Safety within Health Canada concluded that repellent residues found in honey “did not pose an unacceptable risk” to human health. It was also found that “Bee repellents containing butyric anhydride and/or benzaldehyde were also deemed not to fall under the Pest Control Act therefore 0.1ppm is not suitable for compliance monitoring”. As a result the CFIA has stopped monitoring for butyric acid and benzaldehyde. Additional concerns have been highlighted because there are issues that have not been addressed regarding the use of bee repellents. These concerns include:

1. There are no Best Management Practices to reduce repellent residues 2. There is no maximum residue limit which may affect future decisions and

markets. 3. The CFIA retains the right to monitor for this product as they deem necessary but

there is no explanation as to what factors would be used to warrant re-initiating monitoring for repellents

A more permanent solution is needed by addressing the gaps remaining in the current ruling surrounding the use of repellents 4.B. Fumagilin residues in honey Fumagilin residues were found in honey in 2011. After cursory investigation of the situation it is suspected that a shift in the usage Fumagilin-B from the fall to the spring to treat Nosema ceranae is responsible for the increased incidents of residues. Some beekeepers have shifted the spring dosage, treatment application, and timing to deal with Nosema ceranae. With proper timing and use according to label residues do not appear to be a problem. Beekeepers have been encouraged to use this product appropriately to mitigate the risk of developing residues in extracted honey.

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5. Pesticide Incident Report for the Chemical Committee When pesticide incidents occur and result in honey bee kill, beekeepers can report these incidents for investigation. In the past, many beekeepers have reported to provincial apiarists and other government officials that they have had a pesticide incident. However it appears that very few beekeepers reported these incidents to the proper authority within the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) or provincial governments who are responsible for investigation, taking actions and the regulation of pesticides. In other cases after reporting the incident beekeepers decline to allow authorities to do any investigation. In 2009-2011 there were only 1or 2, incidents that were officially reported to the PMRA respectively. 5.A. Reported Pesticide Incidents in 2012 In 2012 beekeepers generally were encouraged to report pesticide incidents directly to the PMRA. Although beekeepers complained about incidents of bee kill from pesticides, not all of them reported these cases to PMRA in 2012. The number of reported incidents to the PMRA from Alberta (AB), Saskatchewan (SK) Manitoba (MB), Ontario (ON) and Quebec (QC) were 1, 12, 1, 71 and 2 incidents respectively for a total of 87 incidents and 3602 colonies affected. PMRA preliminary investigation showed that neonicotinoids, and organophosphates were responsible for the majority of the cases, however other compounds including carbamates and organic acids were also involved (Table 1). Table 1. Honey bee pesticide damage incidents reported to the PRMA: A Summary of the public records available from the PMRA http://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/pi-ip/disclaimer-avertissement-eng.php

Province # of Incidents

# of colonies impacted

Classes of Pesticides Incidents per Compound Incidents per

Crop

AB 1 24

Carbamate Anilide* Neonicitinoid Triazole* Phenylpyrroles* Aclamine* Dithiocarbamate*

1 (Carbaryl Carbathin*; Clothianidin; Difenoconazole*; Fludioxonil*; Metalaxyl*; Thiamethoxam; Thiram*)

1 Canola (planting)

SK 12 1073 Organophosphate 4 Chlorpyrifos; 7 Dimethoate, 1 Chlorpyrifos and Dimethoate

7 alfalfa, 1 wheat, 4 canola (foliar)

MB 1 20 Organophosphate 1 Dimethoate 1 Alfalfa

ON 71 1047 Neonicotinoid; Organophosphate; Organic Acid

65 (Clothiandin or Thiamethoxam with combinations of miticides, fungicides* and Acetamiprid) 1 Clothiandin and Phosmet, 1 Clothiandin and Permethrin 1 Phosmet; 1 Dimethoate 1 Formic Acid

65 Corn (planting) 1 Soybeab 1 honey bee 2 unknown

QC 2 1438 Neonicotinoid; Organophosphate

1 Clothiandin and Thiamethoxam 1 Phosmet

1 Corn 1 Apples

Totals 87 3602

* Note: Fungicidal agent which may not be responsible for colony mortality

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5.A.1. Special Note on Honey Bee Poisoning Associated with Corn Seed Treatments In Canada Seed treatments have become a common method to protect corn from pests and disease. The systemically active neonicotinoid insecticides are a common component of the seed treatments used on corn. Although corn seed is not intrinsically attractive to honey bees, Krupke et al. (2011) demonstrated that the dust from the corn planters can contain high levels of clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Bees exposed to this contaminated dust through various means of exposure can be seriously poisoned. In Quebec beekeepers reported pesticide related bee loss and reduction of bee population in bee colonies associated with the timing and location of corn seeding in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 with 1, 2, 1 and 1 incidents reported per year, respectively. In Ontario there were 39 beekeepers who reported bee colonies in 268 locations which suffered and displayed all known acute pesticide poisoning symptoms coinciding and possibly related to corn seeding in 2012. These damages occurred across much of the corn production region (Figure). The PMRA, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Agriculture investigated and detected clothiandin and thiomethoxam in many of the honey bee samples. Figure. Proportion of impacted apiaries per county in Ontario in 2012

For more details, refer to the following websites. Quebec: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_decisions/epir-edirp2011-4412/index-eng.php Ontario: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/bees-incidents-abeilles-2012-eng.php

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5.B. Reporting system PMRA is the federal agency that is responsible for implementing The Pest Control Product Act and Regulations. Pesticide incidents can be reported directly to the PMRA, and the various provincial agencies. Reports that appear to be related to non-compliance are typically investigated by the PMRA or appropriate provincial groups. This current system of dual reporting and investigation may lead to confusion, duplication of reports, and lack of reporting by beekeepers. It also creates confusion and miscommunication between involved organizations. To ensure the best information going forward, it may be beneficial to encourage developing a clear reporting system between the provinces and PMRA that leads to effective investigation and encourage beekeepers to report all cases. Thus we will be able to improve pesticide safety and protection of honey bees. References Krupke C.H., Hunt G.J., Eitzer B.D., Andino G. and Given K. 2011. Multiple routes of pesticide exposure for honey bees living near agricultural fields. PLoS ONE. 7 (1): 1-8. Discussion: Issues with MiteAway Quik Strips regarding queen loss when applying this product, especially during the fall. No time for requeening in the fall so going into winter with queen issues. Reports that Apivar not working in some cases. Incorrect application may have been the reason for the lack of efficacy. Product itself seems OK. Products of Future Interest:

- Baverol (Bayer). It is a synthetic pyrethroid and cross-resistance has been noted. - Alternative varroa products (Hopgard); however efficacy not evident. The

delivery method may need to be adjusted. Additional Thymol treatments promising but have not gone through registration process. Other products also being investigated but too early to mention.

Acetic Acid for Nosema control on stored bee equipment. Stalled at the moment. Tylosin not currently registered but finding some residues in honey. Used through veterinary prescription. There is a steering group consisting of Steve Pernal, Medhat Nasr and Geoff Wilson as well as Lee Townsend and Gerry Poleman fromCHC. No real best management practice on how to minimize bee repellent residues in honey. No MRL established which may affect markets. CFIA retains the right to monitor for the product as it deems necessary. Fumigillin residues in honey. Related in a shift in use of fumigillin from fall to spring. Can be dealt with by better management by beekeeper. Make sure there is enough time between application and honey flow.

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Not in report: Screening programs for new control product coming to end. Currently the funding sources are changing so we need to have a way to keep these screening projects going for all these compounds. Linkomyosin has been identified in USA. Not screened for in Canada at this time. Tylosin is permitted for use in BC. Paul Kozak suggested that the Chemical Committee should be split into two different committees: Hive Management Products & Pesticide Incidents. This will be discussed during the Committee Selection process. ACTION ITEM: Contact the manufacturer about potential label changes for MAQS (Geoff Wilson & Chemical Committee). MOTION: Motion to accept the Chemical Report as presented. MOVED BY: Geoff Wilson SECONDED BY: Rob Currie CARRIED Research Report Leonard Foster (written report) Written report submitted and circulated on CAPA-L. Full Research Report can be found in the APPENDIX. The reason for having this five-year workshop is to provide a review on what has gone on in recent years. Main focus is to look at resources we have (research, extension) to build a background on what is our capability of doing research and extension. Identify major issues as we perceive as having significant impact on the beekeeping industry. Match those concerns with the resources we have to address those issues. Primarily a CAPA initiative, but we have had input from CHC. We could make extra effort to include industry on developing this priority setting plan. This could be a joint meeting / initiative between CHC and CAPA since CHC is also planning to do a strategic plan. If the planning could be tied to actual funding, it may be more effective. May be less value in doing this internally for our own use. Tracking statistics may be useful for internal use. ACTION ITEM: Task the Research committee to explore options with CHC with regards to a planning session on research and ask for feedback from membership and proceed on planning based on that input (Responsible: Research Committee). MOTION: Motion to accept the Research Report as submitted. MOVED BY: Martha Guarna SECONDED BY: Ernesto Guzman CARRIED

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CANPOLIN Report Rob Currie in absence of Peter Kevan Most recent CANPOLIN Newsletter is included in the APPENDIX. CANPOLIN funded through NSERC. $5 million over five years. Pollination of crops to ecosystems and all aspects from plant breeding and insect pollinators. Managed Pollinators Group deals with honey bees, bumble bees and leafcutter bees. $100,000 divided up among the different bee groups. Grant Expires in 2013 and most of the money has been spent. Research presented is captured in the CAPA Research Report. Board of Directors is discussing what happens after CANPOLIN ends. Rhéal Lafrenière is on the Board. A significant conference is being considered to capture the work which has been completed during CANPOLIN. The Entomological Society of Canada may be a potential sister meeting. President Lafrenière thanked Rob Currie for presenting the CANPOL Report. Awards Report Rhéal Lafrenière in absence of Alison Van Alten Notice of award went out with application deadline set at December 15, 2012. No report available at this time. The Award has been advertised and we are waiting for applicants. Report submitted by Shelley Hoover after the annual meeting: Three outstanding applications were received for the award in 2012. The committee selected Brock Harpur, a PhD candidate at York University, as the recipient of the 2012 award. Brock is a student of Dr. Amro Zayed and his thesis focuses on honey bee genomics and immunity. Brocks’ scientific record is outstanding. He has published early in his career and his work is relevant to apiculture, honey bee science, social insects and entomology as a whole. Brock has been recognized internationally for his work. Along with a productive research career, Brock is also active in the beekeeping community. CBRF Report Rob Currie The CBRF Report was initiated as a result of a research planning workshops when Canadian bee research funding was very low. An endowment fund initiated through beekeeper donations and then a Garfield Weston foundation injected cash. Another influx of money came from Apimondia during the Vancouver meetings. Endowment fund currently stands at $511,660. Two research grants: Medhat Nasr ($8,000) and Dave Shutler ($10,000). Current funding level end of September was $514,000. Required by revenue Canada to give out certain percentage (3.5%). Investments currently held at RBC.

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Deadline for applications is December 15, 2012. MOTION: Motion to accept the CBRF Report. MOVED BY: Rob Currie SECONDED BY: Steve Pernal CARRIED Non-Apis Report Rhéal Lafrenière in absence of David Ostermann (written report) The national Bee Biosecurity Advisory Committee continued to work with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and consultants, on the development of an on-farm biosecurity standard, producer guides, and related products, for the managed bee industries in Canada. This includes producer guides for the leafcutting bee and bumble bee industries, which are expected to come out in 2013. Hybrid canola pollination continues to be a major activity for leafcutting bees, with the majority of all Canadian acres situated in Alberta. A preliminary report from the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) indicates 54,473.49 acres of hybrid canola were inspected in Alberta in 2012. Bumble bees and alfalfa leafcutting bees are being used for blueberry and cranberry pollination in Eastern Canada. In New Brunswick, it is estimated less than 2000 gallons of leafcutting bees and 1,500 quads of bumble bees were used for blueberry pollination. Some bumble bee quads were moved to cranberry fields after blueberry pollination. Honey bees were the most commonly used pollinator on blueberry fields and cranberry beds. Native pollinators continue to be studied in wild blueberry agro-ecosystems in New Brunswick and PEI. This work was expanded to include native bees in apple orchards in PEI in 2012. There is ongoing concern by some in the alfalfa and leafcutting bee industry regarding the impact of glyphosate-tolerant alfalfa in the environment and on Canadian growers. The novel trait of “glyphosate tolerance” in alfalfa was approved for “unconfined release into the environment” by the CFIA back in 2005. It’s believed that glyphosate tolerant alfalfa is being grown, purposely or unintentionally, in parts of Canada. The 2005 approval would allow for the purchase of seed in the US by an individual producer to plant for forage production under an own use permit, but currently it cannot be sold in Canada as there are no registered varieties for Canada. Glyphosate herbicide (e.g. Roundup®) cannot be applied to any plantings (seed or forage) as there are currently no herbicide labels allowing for this use. Without acceptance of such traits in markets such as the European Union, marketing options for growers are more limited. Thanks to contributors and committee members! MOTION: Motion to accept the Non-Apis Report as submitted. MOVED BY: Rob Currie SECONDED BY: Steve Pernal CARRIED

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CAPA Honey Bee Diseases and Pests Publication Sales Report 2012

UnitsInvoice # Date Purchaser SoldInv 12-01 16-Jan-12 Glory Bee Foods 50Inv 12-02 24-Jan-12 Dadant & Sons 100Inv 12-03 24-Jan-12 The Honey Exchange 35Inv 12-04 1-Feb-12 Brushy Mountain Bee Farm 100Inv 12-05 23-Feb-12 The Honey Exchange 20Inv 12-06 28-Mar-12 Saskatchewan Bkprs Association 50Inv 12-07 3-Apr-12 Mann Lake Ltd 150Inv 12-08 3-Apr-12 Blessed Bee Farm 40Inv 12-09 24-Apr-12 Rossman Apiaries 30Inv 12-10 7-May-12 University of Guelph 27Inv 12-11 9-May-12 Blessed Bee Farm 30Inv 12-12 7-Jun-12 Brushy Mountain Bee Farm 100Inv 12-13 31-Jul-12 Bruce McLean 1Inv 12-14 31-Jul-12 Fletcher Colpitts 20Inv 12-15 2-Oct-12 Rebecca Gowdy 35Inv 12-16 2-Oct-12 Dadant & Sons 150Inv 12-17 3-Oct-12 Thomas Schmitz 1Inv-12-18Inv-12-19

939

Inv 12-01F 17-Feb-12 Centre de formation agricole de Mirabel (CFAM) 18

18

957

= US purchasers

Orders Filled in 2012 - English version

Orders Filled in 2012 - French version

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Publication Sales Report Rhéal Lafrenière in absence of Janet Tam (written report) Current inventory stands at approximately <50 copies. We currently have orders for the new version of the publication. Pierre Giovenazzo indicated that the new version is very good. Pierre proposed that a translating the publication into a French version should be considered. Discussion will take place during that committee report. MOTION: Motion to accept the Publication Sales Report as submitted. MOVED BY: Joanne Moran SECONDED BY: Rob Currie CARRIED New Disease Publication Report Steve Pernal Third Edition of CAPA Disease Publication In 2011-12, Mrs. Heather Clay continued her contract with CAPA to assist with the completion of the disease publication. Mrs. Clay and the editor finished contacting all chapter authors for any updating of material since the time at which these sections were written and also contacted additional chapter authors for the completion of outstanding materials. Mrs. Clay completed updating the working version of the publication with any additions and revisions, located outstanding images and formatted the document. A draft version of the disease manual was circulated to an editorial review committee in the summer and fall of 2012, with final edits being approved by the publication editor. A final version of the disease publication is now ready for publication. Estimated costs for publishing 2500 copies is $5,837. Mrs. Clay is expected to proceed with publishing the new disease publication after our annual CAPA meeting. Anticipated distribution will be early 2013. A Authorization will be needed for approving publication expenditures. Future efforts will look at translation of the disease publication into French and Spanish. S. Pernal, Editor. Editorial Committee: Rob Currie, Ernesto Guzman, Melanie Kempers, Adony Melathopoulos, Janet Tam, Nicolas Tremblay, Paul van Westendorp, Paul Kozak, Geoff Williams. Discussion: Publication is nearly done. Heather Clay has been instrumental in the process. Heather has secured new photos and formatted the publication. A final edit is

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required. Ready for publishing in December 2012 or January 2013. Steve recommended not ordering any old publications at this time. Steve thanked for all the contributors. Discussion around PDF sales and availability of a French version. Should be ‘eReader’ or ‘Kinder’ friendly. The new generation beekeeper is looking for this type of media. Printed copies are still in high demand. Bee supply stores resell this publication. Electronic copies are very easily distributed without revenue to CAPA. Perhaps the old version could be made available in a PDF version for ‘free’. Suggestion that printed version be available now and a PDF version be made available at a later date. Once costs are recovered, perhaps a PDF version should be made available. Suggested that the cost should be increased with this new version. Sale price suggested at $10. Other publications are similar or more ($21) therefore $10 is reasonable. Electronic document could be split into PDF factsheets. The whole document could only be available in hard copy. ACTION ITEMS: Committee is tasked to look at different distribution channels. (Responsible: New Publication Committee). President Lafrenière thanked Steve Pernal and the committee for taking on a huge task of completing the New Publication.

CAPA has the rights to permitting translation. Pierre Giovenazzo has great interest in a French version of the publication. Small print runs are recommended so that inventory does not build up with this publication. Another organization could be given the rights to translate and sell the publication on behalf of CAPA. CRAAQ (Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec) should submit a proposal on what they would like to see happen with a potential French version of the publication.

Communications Committee Report Rhéal Lafrenière gave the report for Adony Melathopoulos (written report) 1. Content The only new content added to the website in the past 12 months was the 2011 Colony Loss Report. 2. Statistics Visitations at CAPABEES have begun to decline through the past year (Table 1), the first time this has happened since we have ran the website. We are also beginning to slip in the rankings of some of our key search parameters (Table 2). This decline may be the result of us not including new content for some time now.  

30

Table 1. Comparison of the number of visits in 2011 versus 2012 to CAPABEES across different months and number of pages viewed by visitors.

Month Visits 2011 Visits 2012 Pages 2011 Pages 2012Oct 10,794 5,823 27,726 34,200 Sep 13,605 6,640 35,816 28,451 Aug 13,954 5,071 42,028 21,686 Jul 11,573 3,915 40,842 26,886 Jun 5,762 8,124 31,626 32,638 May 4,592 4,612 32,899 26,050 Apr 4,220 4,202 32,127 29,791 Mar 5,085 4,192 37,083 32,901 Feb 4,728 5,595 40,359 24,972

TOTAL (Feb-Oct) 74,313 48,174 320,506 257,575

Table 2. The ranking of CAPABEES for eight search terms using Google

Search Term CAPABEES Ranking Nov 2012

CAPABEES Ranking Jan 2012

“Varroa Thresholds” 4 1 “Nosema” 4 3

“Colony Loss Canada” 5 6 “Wintering Honey Bees” 3 6

“Varroa” >25 >25 “American foulbrood” >25 >25

“Colony Collapse Disorder” >25 >25  Reviewing the popularity of specific content on the site from our last report there has been growth in pages having to do with pollination and bee forages (Table 3). Our annual winter loss statements no longer appear in our top 10 (the 2011 colony loss report garnered only 128 hits and was far from the most visited content on our website).

31

Table 3. Visits to specific pages October 2012 Rank Hits Pages

1 3,958 Preparation of Honey For Market, OAC

2 2,909 CAPA Crop Pollination Guide

3 2,881 Chapter 3, Nectar and Pollen Plants, Beekeepers W Canada

4 1,538 Wintering

5 1,439 Chapter 10, Fall and Winter, Beekeepers W Canada

6 1,355 Nosema, CAPA Publication

7 634 Varroa EIL

8 590 Honey House Equipment Layout

9 548 Alsike Clover, AAFC, Booklet

10 460 Chapter 5, Spring Management, Beekeepers W Canada

TOTAL 16,312 3. Looking to 2013

a) Redesign - Done The new Wordpress site has been completed. This new platform is very easy to modify and update; it is long overdue. The old website was unwieldy and required considerable training (and patience) to update. One great feature of this new platform is a very easy method to designate pages as ‘members only’ or public. We need guidance from the membership on whether to include a membership directory and whether to make this directory public or ‘members only’.

b) PayPal for Paying Membership and Merchandise We now have a PayPal account allowing us to conduct transactions electronically. There are per transaction costs associated with using this service of 1.9% - 2.9% of the total transaction amount + $0.30. With respects to membership payments (ie dues and meeting fees) we could add this transaction onto the amount as a “convenience fee”.

c) Content The most widely visited content on our website are old out of print extension publications. This kind of material is ‘low hanging fruit’ that is widely visited on our website. I encourage all provincial apiculturalists to go home after this meeting and look through their archives and digitize 2-3 of the best of such publications for uploading. We may also want to include a small budget to develop new content each year. This could be in the form of a $200 stipend to pay one graduate student to develop a 1-2 page fact sheet for the website.

32

d) New Committee Chair and Assistants This will be the last year Andony Melathopoulos will serve as the Chair of this Committee as this responsibility should be assigned to a non-student member. This being the case it will be important for Andony and Janine McGowan, who helped develop the new site, to train at least three people to use the website, including at least one member who is currently not a student and employed. The new platform is very easy to work with and we would be looking for volunteers at this meeting to commit to this training.

Andony is not reoffering to Chair the committee. Are there guidelines on what can be put on the new CAPA website? No detailed protocol has been developed. Up until now, the webmaster has screened the uploading of material to CAPA website. The wording on website sections should be carefully selected to reflect web content. Recent changes to copyright laws may allow us to post journal papers. The research reports could be uploaded. Links could be provided to other institutions web pages e.g. researcher page within a university. It was suggested that sponsors could potentially be solicited for the website. MOTION: Motion to accept the Communication Report as submitted. MOVED BY: Paul Kozak SECONDED BY: Joanne Moran CARRIED Africanized Bee Report Ernesto Guzman Africanized honey bees (AHB) have spread throughout most of the Americas, including the southern states of the U.S.A. As of Oct. 2012, they have been found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. To this list a new state is added, since the presence of AHB was confirmed for the first time in Tennessee in 2012. Numerous stinging incidents to animals and people caused by AHB continue to occur in southern U.S.A., in most cases without fatal consequences. In fact in 2012, no human fatalities due to AHB stinging incidents have been reported so far. However, more than a dozen animals were killed by AHB, including dogs and pigs. As of 2012, U.S. officials recognize a total of 23 people killed by AHB since their arrival in 1990. It is unlikely that AHB will spread naturally to the northern U.S.A. and Canada, but they might reach those regions through migratory beekeeping and with the importation of queens reared in Africanized areas. Thus, it is important to be vigilant and to monitor their spread in the U.S.A. constantly. An appeal from Argentinean queen breeders to export queens to Canada was received in 2012 by the CFIA. The petition to reconsider the ban on queens from Argentina was denied on the basis that no surveillance program is in place in Argentina to monitor and follow the distribution and spread of AHB. Additionally, the methods used to identify

33

africanization in samples of bees are not fully reliable. It is important to continue developing policies and strategies to protect the Canadian beekeeping industry from the potential introduction of AHB. In addition to the above, we should develop contingency plans to act upon the presence of AHB to be prepared in case they eventually get to Canada. It would be also useful to conduct a national survey to determine if African genes are found in Canadian bee populations. This information could be utilized to support developing policies and strategies for public protection and bee imports regulations. In our lab at the University of Guelph we have established the techniques needed to identify them through measurements of wing length and mitochondrial DNA techniques. However, these techniques are not 100% reliable, because mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited, and hybrids might not be detected through morphometrics, but so far, these are the only valid techniques available to identify AHB. Ideally, a sufficient number of nuclear markers should be developed that are species specific. There has been recent progress on this front: Dr. Ben Oldroyd (The University of Sydney, Australia) and Dr. Amro Zayed (CAPA member, York University) have started a collaborative project to develop an assay for AHB using 96 nuclear markers. The Zayed lab has sequenced the genomes of honey bees from Africa, Europe, Asia, as well as several AHB from Arizona. They are in process of identifying nuclear markers that clearly distinguish AHB from typical managed bees, at a targeted accuracy of 99%. This will spur the development of custom assays to reliably detect AHB in the near future. Until that is achieved, the combination of morphometrics and mitochondrial DNA analyses is our best choice to identify AHB. Discussion: We do not know Health Canada’s opinion on AHB. We should be proactive in having the technological tools available to identify AHB genes so that imports are still possible. Economics and safety concerns have to be balanced with regards to AHB. Biosecurity should also be considered. In Florida, beekeepers are required to requeen yearly. ACTION ITEM: The Africanized Bee Committee tasked to develop a strategic plan in anticipation for the potential introduction of AHB into Canada (AHB Committee). MOTION: Motion to accept the Africanized Bee Report. MOVED BY: Ernesto Guzman SECONDED BY: Rob Currie CARRIED

34

BeeBAC (Bee Biosecurity) Report Steve Pernal National Bee Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard – 2012 Project Report

Project Background:

The objective of implementing voluntary biosecurity measures on a national level include: prevention, early detection and a more rapid control of serious infectious disease, parasite and pest outbreaks. Farm-level standards are meant to aid producers in mitigating the risks associated with these hazards entering, spreading within and being released from a bee operation. Some benefits of farm level biosecurity include:

• increasing productivity and economic return at the farm level by decreasing the incidence of diseases, parasites and pests

• allowing the continuation or early resumption of inter-provincial and international trade in the face of an outbreak of a serious infectious disease, parasite or pest;

• Improved biosecurity may bring about improved marketability of honey, bees, and equipment

A few notes on the project:

• The CFIA is the project manager. Funding was provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through Growing Forward

• Formation of the Bee Biosecurity Advisory Committee (BeeBAC) for consultation – Industry, Federal and Provincial governments

• Formation of Sector Technical Sub-Committees (Bumblebee, Honey bee and Alfalfa Leafcutting bee) for consultation

• Serecon Management Consulting Inc. was engaged by CFIA to produce a Biosecurity Standard and Producer Guides to final stage (before editing), in addition to earlier supporting activities

• Serecon engagement was for 21 months, ending July 31, 2012

• Deliverables National Bee Farm Level Biosecurity Standard

Producer Guidance Documents for the three bee sectors (Honey Bee,

Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee and Bumble Bee)

Auxiliary Communication Products – poster and sector checklists

35

The national standard is a high level document that describes the risks and identifies voluntary target outcomes that have been agreed to at a national level. The producer guidance documents describe the specific management practices that beekeepers use to manage diseases, parasites and pests, in order to achieve the target outcomes. 2012 – Activities and Developments January – February Several tele-conference meetings with BeeBAC and the technical sub committees for review and input – specifically - scope, wording and technical aspects of the national standard and producer guides. Meetings resulted in the development of new versions of the documents which were sent to the committees for further review. The honey bee on-farm study received 631 responses to the industry consultation tool (38% of the honey bee colonies in Canada). A final report was completed in June. A similar alfalfa leafcutting bee study was completed in 2011. For the bumblebee sector it was determined to consult directly with producers and growers. March A face to face meeting was held in Winnipeg with the advisory committees, contractor and CFIA with an agenda of completing further revisions to the national standard and producer guides. The target outcomes of the national standard were agreed to by BeeBAC with further sector consultation on the producer guides. April – July It was decided that a suite of auxiliary communication products be developed as supplemental out reach to industry. The committees decided on stand alone on-farm biosecurity checklist for each sector and a bee biosecurity poster. Dissemination options were discussed. Ideas for ease of access to the largest number of producers were examined. Options being considered include: on-line access, hard-copy (for distribution by associations, provinces, meetings etc.), CDs and data sticks. Consultation continued on the Standard and Producer Guides. Serecon delivered the final versions of the national standard and producer guides at the end of July. July – October CFIA has been seeking letters of industry endorsement for the national standard – this is ongoing. Final versions of the standard and producer guides are currently in CFIA publishing and release processes including; English edit, French translation and design. The BeeBAC committee will continue to be consulted on the acceptance of design proofs, approval of auxiliary products, endorsement and communication options. The project is targeted for completion March 31st, 2013. Report prepared with assistance from Tim Talbot, CFIA – Office of Animal Biosecurity MOTION: Motion to accept the BeeBAC report as submitted. MOVED BY: Steve Pernal SECONDED BY: Geoff Williams President Lafrenière thanked Steve for his report.

36

Archive Report Rob Currie Currently most of the CAPA archives have been digitized. Many have been put on the CAPA website. Small amount held at Mark Winston archives at SFU. Gaps should be identified before destroying any paper material in various offices around the country. CAPA pins are also available to members. MOTION: Motion to accept the Archive Report as presented. MOVED BY: Rob Currie SECONDED BY: Medhat Nasr CARRIED

37

2013 CAPA APPROVED Budget

GIC Term Deposit Opening Balance January 1, 2013) $20,300Opening balance (January 1, 2013) $21,000

Jan. 01, 2013 - December 31, 2013REVENUE

Membership42 2013 Full @ $40 1,68015 2013 Associate @ $20 300

Meetings30 Registrations (Quebec City AGM) @ $60 1,800

Publication Sales0 Old @ $0 0

1,000 New @ $10 10,000 Alberta ($400 Prepaid Sept 2009) 0Shipping / Handling 800

PayPal Fees (2.9% + $0.30 / transaction) Membership Fee 80

GST Rebate (2012) 830

$15,490 $36,490

EXPENDITURES

New PublicationContracting 3,547

2,500 Printing 7,000Shipping / Handling 800ISBN Fees 250Alberta (Prepaid Sept 2009) 400

Meeting Charge AGM Quebec City 1,800

IBRA Donation 500

AwardsStudent Award 600 Shipping 35

Travel for Board Member 1,000

Misc. (cards, postage, etc.) 20

PayPal Fees (2.9% + $0.30 / transaction) Membership 80

CAPA Website Maintenance 170Content Development 200

$16,402 $20,088

GIC Term Deposit $20,400

38

Proposed Budget 2013 Chris Jordan MOTION: Motion to accept the proposed budget as presented. MOVED BY: Chris Jordan SECONDED BY: Sam Muirhead CARRIED MOTION: The existing GIC (currently renewed monthly), should be split in

two with half the funds invested for 6 months at higher interest rate.

MOVED BY: Chris Jordan SECONDED BY: Geoff Wilson CARRIED ACTION ITEM: Secretary / Treasurer to renew GIC with half the funds available within 30 days and the remaining half invested on a 6-month term at a higher interest rate (Responsible: Chris Jordan). Committee Selection 2013 Rhéal Lafrenière & Membership

MOTION: That a new pesticide incident committee be formed. MOVED BY: Paul Kozak. SECONDED BY: Rob Currie DEFEATED Benefit to have two separate committee (hive health vs agro chemical): two different issues. Best to have one voice for all chemical-related issues to avoid confusion with PMRA and other agencies. Paul Kozak maintains that it is big enough issue to warrant the formation of two committees.

Moved Ernesto Guzman that meeting be adjourned at 4:45 pm.

39

2013 CAPA EXECUTIVE & COMMITTEES

Executive Rhéal Lafrenière President

Medhat Nasr Vice-Pres. Stephen Pernal Past-Pres. Chris Jordan Secr/Treas

Standing Committees Chemical Geoff Wilson Chair

Claude Boucher, Paul Kozak, Rhéal Lafrenière, Medhat Nasr, Stephen Pernal, Graham Parsons, Samantha Muirhead, Les Eccles

Importation Medhat Nasr Chair

Rob Currie, Ernesto Guzman Paul Kozak, Chris Maund Geoff Wilson, Claude Boucher, Les Eccles, Graham Parsons

Research Leonard Foster Chair Paul van Westendorp, Ernesto Guzman Pierre Giovenazzo, Kenna MacKenzie Cynthia Scott-Dupree, Les Eccles, Shelley Hoover, Rasoul Bahreini

Awards Alison Van Alten & Shelley Hoover Co-Chairs

Kenna MacKenzie, Janet Tam Nicolas Tremblay, Paul van Westendorp, Sam Muirhead

CBRF Committee Rob Currie Chair

Paul van Westendorp, Leonard Foster, Rhéal Lafrenière, Ernesto Guzman

40

Ad-Hoc Committees Publications Janet Tam Chair

Chris Jordan, Steve Pernal Cynthia Scott-Dupree, Rhéal Lafrenière

Archives Rob Currie Chair Heather Higo, Andony Melathopoulos Alison Van Alten

Non-Apis David Ostermann Chair Pollinators Rob Currie, Suresh Desai,

Geoff Wilson, Shelley Hoover,

Editorial Stephen Pernal Chair Disease Rob Currie, Ernesto Guzman, Publication Melanie Kempers, Nicolas Tremblay,

Paul van Westendorp, Paul Kozak, Geoff Williams

Communications Melanie Kempers Chair

Claude Boucher, Rob Currie, Suresh Desai, Andony Melathopoulos Rhéal Lafrenière, Nicolas Tremblay, Tanya Copley, Amanda Van Haga, Jessica Morris

National Survey Paul Kozak Chair

Stephen Pernal, Rhéal Lafrenière, Claude Boucher,

Melanie Kempers, Medhat Nasr, Geoff Wilson, Jessica Morris

Africanized Bee Ernesto Guzman Chair Medhat Nasr, Steve Pernal Rhéal Lafrenière, Geoff Wilson, Les Eccles, Paul Kozak, Amro Zayed Bee Biosecurity Steve Pernal Chair David Osterman, Paul Kozak,

Claude Boucher, Rob Currie

41

Source:Source:Source:Source:Quebec, PQ · Nov 16th, 2012

Apimondia 2012Apimondia 2012

Canadian Honey Trade and Canadian Honey Trade and Production Statistics OverviewProduction Statistics Overview

Stephen PageStephen PageHorticulture Division, AAFCHorticulture Division, AAFC

Source:Source:

37,07234,603 34,242

36,119

48,366

31,48929,444

31,925

37,251

33,718

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

45,000

50,000

Met

ric T

onne

s

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Canadian Honey ProductionQuantity (Metric Tonnes)

Statistics Canada

Source:Source:

Provincial Honey ProductionQuantity (Metric Tonnes)

Statistics Canada

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

22,000

Met

ric T

onne

s

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

PEI NS NB QUE ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC

Source:Source:

Canadian Honey Bee Colonies

588,485563,330

597,890615,541 628,401

589,254 570,070592,120

620,291 627,713

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

Num

ber

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Statistics Canada

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

42

Source:Source:

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Num

ber

PEI NS NB QUÉ ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC

Statistics Canada

Honey Bee ColoniesNumber by Province

Source:Source:

Canadian Average Yields Pounds per Colony

139 135126 129

170

118 114 119 125132

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Poun

ds p

er C

olon

y

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Statistics Canada

Source:Source:

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Poun

ds p

er C

olon

y

PEI NS NB QUÉ ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC

Provincial Average YieldsPounds per Colony

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

Num

ber

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

702876717403

8,9588,310

7,925 7,971 7,695 7,313

Number of Canadian Beekeepers

Statistics Canada

6,931

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

43

Source:Source:

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Num

ber

PEI NS NB QUÉ ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC

Number of Beekeepersby Province

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

Canada-Number of Colonies per Beekeeper

5965 66 66 68

75 7782 81 82

86 84 82

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Num

ber

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Statistics Canada

Source:Source:

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011P

Num

ber

PEI NS NB QUÉ ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC

Number of Colonies per Beekeeper · by Province

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

$92,918

$160,805$155,805

$121,105$111,255

$84,916

$105,184

$126,253

$145,853

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

$ '0

00s

2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Value of Canadian Honey

Statistics Canada

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

44

Source:Source:

Canadian Honey Price per Pound

1.19

1.97 2.04

1.60

1.041.22

1.621.79 1.87

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Can

adia

n $

/ lb

2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

Honey Price per Pound by Province in 2010

$3.00 $3.01

$3.95

$2.49 $2.51

$1.50 $1.55$1.76

$3.71

$1.87

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

Can

adia

n $

/ lb.

PEI NS NB QUÉ ONT MAN SASK ALTA BC Canada

Statistics Canada

Source:Source:

Recent Canadian Honey Export Prices 2012 to end September

Statistics Canada

Range -$1.75- $1.86 per pound

Average $1.79

Source:Source:

11,208

14,721 15,297

12,691

21,926

13,032 11,953 12,25413,383

16,129

22,341

11,929

14,932

9,467

13,883

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

Met

ric T

onne

s

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States Germany United Kingdom Japan France Other

Exports of Honey from Canada Quantity (Metric Tonnes)

Statistics Canada

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

45

Source:Source:

Exports of Honey from CanadaValue ($’000 Cdn)

$30,983 $32,632

$87,955

$62,884

$47,200

$30,098$33,063

$37,546

$69,843

$47,122

$56,995

$38,543

$54,606

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

$'00

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

United States Germany United Kingdom Japan France Other

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

Imports of Honey into CanadaQuantity (Metric Tonnes)

2,859 2,826

5,205

8,1228,830 8,893

8,200

4,9314,310 3,732

4,883

3,2582,837

2,319

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

Met

ric T

onne

s

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012United States China Argentina Other Australia World

Statistics Canada

World

Source:Source:

$4,747

$8,403

$23,253$25,335 $23,031

$19,504

$13,305

$12,099

$15,172

$20,770

$14,492$13,324

$10,610

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

$'00

0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012United States China Argentina Other Australia

Imports of Honey into Canada Value ($’000 Cdn)

Statistics Canada Source:Source:

Top 10 Countries exporting to Canada in 2012 (Value)

Argentina $ 2,215,000

New Zealand $ 2,123,000

Australia $ 2,074,000

Brazil $ 1,281,000

United States $ 1,048,000

Greece $ 534,000

India $ 328,000

Germany $ 320,000

China $ 183,000

Switzerland $ 156,000

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

46

Source:Source:

Bee Imports

Source:Source:

Queen Imports 2012

Queens by source country, 2012 to June

Canadian Dollars Quantity Canadian Dollars / Quantity

United States $3,153,197 156,451 $20.16

Australia $264,162 18,063 $14.62

New Zealand $149,167 7,155 $20.85

Chile $50,002 2,453 $20.38

Total $3,616,528 184,122 $19.64

Source:Source:

Update for value of pollination contribution to agriculture

• Updating contribution using methodology of original 1998 MISB estimate.

• Biggest change : Canola / rapeseed harvested for crushing/oil value $2.5B in 1998, $13B in 2008

• Hybrid canola seed worth at least $550 million in 2008, more now

• Seed exports clearly add to the value of pollination, domestic seed requires methodological care to avoid double counting.

• Industry keeps some figures close, ratio of hybrid to non-hybrid seed is an estimate.

Source:Source:

Contribution of honey bee pollination:

2008 Estimate stands at $2.2 Billion, as a conservative estimate.

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

47

Source:Source:

Apimondia2012

Quebec

APPENDIX - AAFC Honey Market Report

48

CFIA Honey Program

Debbie FishbeinChief, Honey ProgramAgri-Food Division, CFIA

Quebec City, Quebec

November 2012

2

Program Highlights

1. Bee Repellents2. Melter Honey3. Chemical Residue Testing

Agricultural Chemical Residue Analysis2009-2010 (Domestic)

Agricultural Chemical Residue Analysis2009-2010 (Imports)

APPENDIX - CFIA Honey Report

49

Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis 2009-10(Domestic)

Veterinary Drug Residue Analysis 2009-10(Import)

7

Honey Analysis – 2012 / 2013

ALAR

AMITRAZ

BENOMYL

EBDC(DC)

EBDC(EBDC)

EBDC(ETU)

FLUOROQUINOLONES

FORMETANATE

FUMAGILLIN

GLYCOSIDES

IONOPHORES/NICARBAZIN

MACROLIDES

METALS

NITROFURANSNITROIMIDAZOLES PENICILLINS

PESTICIDES-FPH053

PHENICOLS

PHENOL

SULFONAMIDES

TETRACYCLINES

THIABENDAZOLE

8

APPENDIX - CFIA Honey Report

50

PMRA Report to the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists

2012 ACTIVITIES PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS

Kurt L. RandallSenior Evaluation Officer, Insecticides Section,Value Assessment and Re-Evaluation Management DirectoratePest Management Regulatory AgencyHealth Canada

Connie HartSenior Science AdvisorEnvironmental Assessment DirectoratePest Management Regulatory AgencyHealth Canada

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

2

Outline

• New Registrations• Submissions Under Review• Registered Products• Incident Reporting• Canadian Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012• Moving forward- Planning, Resources- 2013 and on• International Activities

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

3

New Registrations

• Mite Away Quick Strips (46.7% formic acid, Reg. No. 30324): Registered January 18, 2012 for control of varroa and tracheal mites in honey bee hives, includes application during honey flow.

• Permanone Multi-Purpose 10% E.C (10% permethrin): User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion (URMULE) submission to expand the Permanone Multi-Purpose 10% EC label to include suppression of small hive beetle in soil around honey bee hives was registered on February 17, 2012

• Apivar (3.3% amitraz): Registered with conditions on August 27, 2012 for control of varroa mite in honey bee hives.

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

4

Submissions Under Review

• Permethrin: A User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion (URMULE) submission is under review to expand the Perm-Up Emulsfiable Concentrate Insecticide label to include suppressionof small hive beetle in soil around honey bee hives.

APPENDIX - PMRA Report

51

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Other Registered Honey Bee Products

• Varroa Mite: Apistan (10.25% fluvalinate-tau), CheckMite+ (10% coumaphos), Oxalic Acid Dihydrate (99.65%), Thymovar (15 g thymol per wafer), Formic Acid 65%

• Tracheal Mite: Tracheal Mite Treatment (65% formic acid), Formic Acid 65%

• Small Hive Beetle: CheckMite+ (10% coumaphos)

5

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

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Pesticide Incident Reporting

• A pesticide incident is any unintended or unexpected effect to human health, domestic animal health or the environment, resulting from exposure to, or use of, a pesticide. This includes honeybees.

• A pesticide incident could be the result of intentional or accidental misuse of a pesticide product.

• Pesticide incidents are entered in the PMRA database, and are posted to the PMRA Public Registry, accessible on the PMRA website. Personal information protected under the Privacy Act is not included in the Public Registry.

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

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What happens to the reports?

• The PMRA database is regularly searched for any type of pattern related to a specific pesticide. If the result of a search indicates that there is a trend for a particular pesticide, Health Canada evaluates the information in conjunction with scientific literature.

• If evaluation identifies a safety issue, appropriate action is taken. Actions can range from minor label changes to discontinuation of the product.

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

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Incident Reporting and Pollinators

• Voluntary reporting of pollinator/bee incidents are highly encouraged as they allow the PMRA to more accurately understand potential risks to pollinators/bees in the field.

• Detailed incident reports and conclusions of the incident reportevaluations can be obtained on the PMRA website in the Public Registry.

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How to report a pesticide incident

• Report any incident related to a pesticide to the manufacturer using the contact information available on the pesticide label (manufacturers are required by law to report to Health Canada any incident information they receive related to their product)

AND/OR • Report the incident directly to Health Canada by completing the

appropriate forms for the public, available on the PMRA website, or contacting Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency directly by email or phone.

• 2013 Incidents should be reported to PMRA Regional Offices

• Anyone may submit an incident report to the PMRA.• Provinces may submit incident reports

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Pollinator Incident Reports

• The PMRA incident reporting programme was started in 2007. From 2007 to 2011, only 5 reports involving honey bees were submitted to the PMRA. All of these reports were from Quebec.

10

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

CANADIAN BEE MORTALITY INCIDENTS - 2012

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Canadian Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012

Province IR-BK IR-BY Seeding Spray Report linked to:

Ontario 381

~2051

XX

Planting of corn seed ;Spray-soybean (dimethoate)

Quebec 11

89

XX

Planting of corn seedSpray- orchards (phosmet)

Nova Scotia 1 2 X Spray- orchards (dimethoate, carbofuran, captan, captafol)

Alberta 3 >4 X Canola seed/spray (carbaryl); other

Manitoba 1 1 X Spray- alfalfa (dimethoate)

Saskatchewan 6 >12 X Spray- alfalfa, canola, wheat (dimethoate, clorpyrifos, etc)

IR= Incident Report; BK=beekeeper; BY= beeyard

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Ontario Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012

• Ontario ~205 incidents (affected beeyards); involving ~38 beekepers between April and May

• Timing coincided with planting of treated corn (clothianidin or thiamethoxam)

• Response to incidents by Inspectors from Health Canada PMRA and the Province (OMAFRA, MOE)

• Over 200 samples collected and submitted to the PMRA laboratory for residue analysis (bees, vegetation, pollen, other)

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012Residue analysis- bee samples

127 dead bee samples (25 BK)• Clothianidin detected in ~70% of dead bee samples (20 BK)• (0.001 – 0.024 ppm, 3 with trace)

20 live bee samples (4 BK) • Clothianidin detected in 1 sample (1 BK)• (0.001 ppm)

• No detections of thiamethoxam, however:• Clothianidin is a transformation product of thiamethoxam• Thiamethoxam was detected in a similar incident reported in Quebec

(Thiamethoxam 0.0002-0.0008 ppm; Clothianidin 0.0021 -0.0059 ppm)

• Various other pesticides also detected in some samples

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Map of Ontario Bee Mortality IncidentsBased on Beekeeper location

The darker colour indicates that a larger number of beekeepers reported incidents in that county

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Ontario Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012Preliminary Observations

• Based on the preliminary information evaluated to date, there is an indication that pesticides used on treated corn seeds may have contributed to at least some of the 2012 spring bee losses that occurred in Ontario

• There is still additional information being collected and analysed for consideration and final conclusions have not been made. • Targeted inspection program to further understand incidents• Bee health information available from province (OMAFRA)

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Ontario Bee Mortality Incidents- 2012Targeted PMRA Inspection Program

• Targeting 7 beeyards and adjacent agricultural lands

• Detailed information gathering• MOE inspector assistance

• Survey of agricultural lands at 2km & 5km radius around bee yards

• seeding / planting• seed treatments • planting practices• weather conditions• crops grown • pesticide applications• other factors.

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Prevention of Future Bee Mortality• PMRA is working with international and Canadian partners to

reduce exposure to dust during planting in the future• Initiatives include

– Seed Tags-Labelling– Best Management Practices- General

Communication between growers and beekeepersHandling / loading of treated seedCleanup of equipment / disposal of waste seed/dust/bagsOther considerations (weather, flowering vegetation)

– Best Management Practices- Technical ImprovementsSeed treatments - seed coating qualityLubricants (talc, graphite, new options)Planting equipment (modifications)

– Outreach/Education- providing informationInformation available for next planting season (2013)

– Communication with many stakeholders before next planting season

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Prevention of Future Bee Mortality

• Neonicotinoid treated corn seeds have been registered in Canada for over 10 years

• First time this number of incidents has been reported• Quebec has reported four similar incidents between 2009 – 2011

• Unusual weather conditions in spring 2012 likely contributed• Similar conditions where international incidents occurred- Europe

• Ensuring best management practices to reduce dust exposure• Includes technical improvements• Europe- development of BMPs

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Prevention of Future Bee Mortality

• PMRA/US EPA joint re-evaluation of neonicotinoid pesticides• Additional risk mitigation measures may be required as necessary• May include measures to:

– Reduce exposure to dust during planting– Reduce exposure to spray applications- label language– Any other mitigation determined necessary

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Moving Forward- Planning, ResourcesBased on 2012 Bee Mortality Incidents

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Considerations

• Bee Mortality: Agency, Canada, International Priority • 2012 Canada incidents- high number of reports

• Reports: Spray Incidents (ON, QC, NS, AB, SK, MB)– 11 beekeepers; >25 beeyards; >1800 hives

• Reports: Dust-off during planting of treated seed (ON, QC)– Quebec- 1 beekeeper; 9 beeyards; 788 hives– Ontario- 38 beekeepers; 205 beeyards; >2700 hives

• Future Bee mortality Incident Reports• Expected to increase due to awareness of incidents and IRP

• PMRA need to address when related to pesticides

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Considerations

• What does this mean for 2013 and on?• Ongoing investigation/inspection of incidents

• To determine if pesticide related• As ongoing follow-up to determine if mitigation effective

• BMPs and requirements- ongoing development • Reduce exposure from dust during planting of treated seed• Reduce insecticide spray incidents (orchards, alfalfa, etc.)

• Education and Communication programs• BMPs, new requirements• Multi-stakeholder communication: growers, beekeepers, etc.

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Considerations• Education/Communication Programs- examples• Dust reduction during planting of treated seed

• General BMPs: communication, location of hives, weather, handling of treated seed, disposal of treated seed, dust, equipment cleanup

• Technical BMPs: new lubricants to replace talc, modifications to planting equipment

• 2014 new seed tag label; 2013- to be distributed w/seed

• Reduction of spray incidents• Education- e.g., do not spray insecticides while bees are

foraging; caution needed around spraying flowering crops, orchards, drift, type of insecticide used- residual toxicity

• Improved label statements

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

PMRA and Provincial Collaboration• Bee Mortality Incident Reports

• How do IRs come into Agency (Provinces, HC regions, IRP)– Primarily reported to Provinces

• Providing information to PMRA- what/when/where/how

• Conducting Inspections/Collecting Information• More guidance for inspections- based on 2012 learning• Questionnaire (beekeepers, growers), Sampling protocols• Partnering with provinces- inspector resources, bee health

• Laboratory Analysis- residues, disease/pest• PMRA lab, Alternative labs, Provincial options

• Education and Communication• Provincial role- BMPs for pollinator protection

• \

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

PMRA and Provincial Collaboration

•2012- Bee Mortality Incidents• Collaborative effort

– HC PMRA– Provinces

• Resource Intensive

•2013 and onward- Bee Mortality Incidents• Continued collaborative efforts required• Manage Resources appropriately• PMRA will be inspecting/collecting information on 2013 bee incidents• Guidance for incident inspections- questionnaire, sampling• Provincial roles / collaboration• Other opportunities- research

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

INTERNATIONAL POLLINATOR ACTIVITIES

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

International Pollinator Activities

Pollinators are recognized globally for their importance

•SETAC – Pellston Pollinator Workshop – January 2011 • Pesticide Risk assessment framework for pollinators, data requirements

•OECD Working Group on Pesticides: Pesticide Effects on Insect Pollinators (PEIP)

• Co-lead by Canada, USA, France• Incidents, risk assessment and data requirements, risk mitigation

•International Commission for Plant-Bee Relationships (ICPBR)• Working groups on hazards of pesticides to bees• European pesticide risk assessment framework for pollinators (2010)• Risk to bees from treated seed dust, guttation water• Guidance for field, semi-field, monitoring, and brood studies

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

North American Collaboration PMRA, EPA, CalDPR

• Pollinator SAP- September 11–14, 2012• Risk Assessment Framework• Data requirements

• EPA PPDC WG on Pollinator Protection• Risk mitigation- Labeling, Best Management Practices

• Evaluations / Re-evaluation of pesticides with pollinator concerns• Data requirements, study protocols• Evaluations and risk mitigation• Joint re-evaluations of nitroguanidine neonicotinoids

– Imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam– Focus on pollinators

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

Pollinator Study types for Pesticide Registration

• Basic toxicity data; more studies triggered based on concerns identified• Studies done with active ingredients (a.i.), end use products (EP),

major transformation products (TP) as appropriate• Example: new insecticides: ~ 35 -70 studies provided• Study types:

• Acute oral toxicity- adults • Acute contact toxicity- adults • Acute larval study- larvae• Chronic studies- adults and larvae • Extended residue contact toxicity-adults residues on plants • Residue studies- concentrations in pollen and nectar (systemic)• Colony Feeding Studies- colony, including brood effects• Semi-field studies- colony effects under worst case scenarios• Field studies- colony effects under realistic use conditions

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Contact Information- Assistance

• PMRA Incident Reporting• 1-800-267-6315 Within Canada• Incident reporting email: PMRA-Incident-ARLA@hc-sc.gc.ca• Website: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pesticideincident• 2013 Contact PMRA Regional Offices

• PMRA Information Services• 1-800-267-6315 Within Canada• 1-613-736-3799 Outside of Canada (Long distance charges

apply)• General email: pmra.infoserv@hc-sc.gc.ca

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Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists General MeetingNovember 15, 2012

33

Questions

?

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AIA Report to CAPANovember 15, 2012

Michael Hansen, AIA North Director Paul Cappy, AIA President

http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/pdf/board/agenda_documents/jun12/bpc_misc_articles_6‐12.pdf

• Commonly used pesticide turns honey bee into Picky Eaters: San Diego State• Implicates Imidacloprid

• Bayer’s:– Recommendations for Good See Treatment Management

– Proper Seed Treatment for Sustaining Bee Health

http://www.extension.org/pages/63369/protecting‐honey‐bees‐during‐corn‐and‐soybean‐planting‐season

Protecting Honey Bees During Corn and Soybean Planting Season

Related State ActivitiesNew York: 6 complaints reported, 2 pesticide related, clothianidan and coumaphos found in sampling

Ohio: Received 15 complaints, 8 reports, but no positive testing. 

Indiana: 2 reports, Positive testing(?)

Iowa, 2‐3 reports of colonies losing field force. 

Michigan, no seed treatment complaints, several inquiries. 

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Investigative challenges• Timely Reporting of bee loss dependent on beekeeper to observe a  problem and timely response. 

• Environmental breakdown of pesticides• Training Pesticide Inspectors to collect appropriate samples for the type of pesticide damage/ need to understand bees. 

• Pesticide product vs. treated article• Proximity to pesticide application, do farmers know where the bees are? 

Potential SolutionsEPA Pesticides Program Dialog Committee– Looking at EPA procedures for honey bee pesticide kill investigations. 

– Potential development of BMP document for applicators and beekeepers.

EPA Region 5 (Chicago) funded to develop training for pesticide inspectors who will investigate bee deaths. States represented on the project. 

Retrofitting of Corn planters. 

Pesticide Related Bee Losses 

• Pristene fungicide (pyraclostrobin) and Intrepid insecticide  

• Both considered Bee Safe products: blueberries

• Observed– Application at night, no problem

– Application during the day – colonies lost a generation of brood. 

– Reportedly we are seeing the same problem with no Intrepid in the mix. 

Oriental Soybean Aphids

• Historic bee yard relationships in soybean production areas. 

• Heavy infestations of Soybean aphids– Growers generally do not spray soybeans with insecticides

– Pressure resulted in July/August applications of Chlorpyrifos.

– Colony deaths not observed for weeks, unable to provide pesticide damage

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Biocontrol

• Purple Loosestrife

• Knapweed

• Autumn Olive– Beekeepers and Politics

– Commercial Beekeepers Organizations

• Pitchers Thistle

Invasives; 

• Drosophyla suzukii

• Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

• LBAM

• Etc.

Other Discussions

• Small Hive Beetle– Big jump in populations in 2012 – weather

– Honey house sanitation

• Right to Farm– www.michigan.gov/gaamps

– Care of Farm Animals

• Migratory Beekeeping

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PROVINCIAL APIARISTS REPORTS

Provincial Reports, 2012 Production Season

. BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE TOTAL Number of Beekeepers

2,139 880 765 517 3,100 490 244 240 46 8,421

Number of Colonies 42,560 282,000 125,000 80,000 100,000 40,000 7,306 18,500 6,169 701,535

Average Honey Production per colony (lbs / kg)

43 / 20

138 / 61.3

185 / 84

165 / 75

81.95 /37.17

- / 50

35.2 / 15.9

50 / 22.7

52 / 24

- / 40.7

Total Production per 1000 wt. (lbs & kg)

1,817 / 826

38.9 mil /17.3

mil

23,125 / 10,511

13,200 / 6,000

8,195 / 3,717 - 198.9

/90.2 400 / 181.6

194.46 /88.21 -

Number of Colonies Wintered in 2011-12

42,900 285,000 100,000 77,000 90,000 40,000 6,800 17,500 5,251 664,451

Average Winter Mortality (%)

23 15 17 16 12.4 16 28 18.9 18.5 18.31

Average

Colonies inspected for AFB (% infected)

2,349 (4.0)

2,550 (1.0)

355 (7.0)

2,890 (1.5)

12,845 (2.5)

2,268 (-)

1,395 (0.9)

404 (0.49)

433 (0.9)

25,489

Colonies inspected for EFB (% infected)

2,349 (<1.0) - 355

(0) 2,890

(0) 12,845

(16.4) 2,268 (-)

1.395 (1.0)

404 (-)

433 (3.0)

-

Colonies inspected for Chalk (% infected)

2,349 (11) - 355

(10) 2,890

(-) 12,845

(5.6) 2,268 (-)

1,395 (2.1)

404 (-)

433 (2.8)

-

Colonies inspected for sacbrood (% infected)

2,349 (<1.0) - 355

(0) 2,890

(-) 12,845

(8.3) 2,268

(-) 1.395 (0.4)

404 (-)

433 (0.2)

-

Colonies inspected for HBTM (% Infected)

0 - 450 (1)

149 samples

(-) - - - 404

(-) 186

pooled -

Colonies inspected for Varroa (% Infected)

1,337 (21) - 462

(88)

250 samples

(-) - 2,268

(-) - 404 (-) - -

Note:- indicates information not reported.

63

2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT – BRITISH COLUMBIA

Provincial Apiarist: Paul van Westendorp A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 2,139 . No. of Producing Colonies 42,560 . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 43 / 20 . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 1,817 / 826 . Colonies Wintered Last Year (10/11) (est.) 42,900 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 23% B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence _ (%) (%) . AFB 2,349 na 4 na . EFB 2,349 na <1 na . Chalkbrood 2,349 na 11 na . Sacbrood 2,349 na <1 na . Tracheal Mite 0 0 na 25 . Varroa Mite 1,337 na 21 na . Other (Supers) 862 na 161 (burned) na C. Comments • The overall provincial winter colony mortality was estimated at 23% which was a slight

improvement over the previous year (28%). Due to regional differences, the mortality all across the province other than Vancouver Island were less than 20% which is comparable to long-term averages.

• It remains unclear what causes the higher mortality rates on Vancouver Island. • The 2011 production season was marked by unusually cold and wet spring/summer

season until August when hot and dry summer weather conditions prevailed. The honey crop is estimated to be among the lowest recorded in over 30 years.

• Colonies continued nectar collection well into September which may have caused young wintering bees to be exhausted by the time cold weather conditions arrived in October. This condition may result in higher winter mortality.

• Bees and beekeeping continue to draw strong public interest. Courses, seminars and educational days remain very popular. There has been a slow but steady rise in the number of registered beekeepers in the province despite ongoing challenges in disease control and management.

APPENDIX - Provincial Apiarists Reports

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2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT - ALBERTA

Provincial Apiarist: Dr. Medhat Nasr A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 880 . No. of Producing Colonies 282,000 . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 138 lb/61.3 kg . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 38.9 mil lb/17.3 mil kg . Colonies Wintered Last Year 285,000 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 15% B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence (%) (%) . AFB 2550 70 1.0 . EFB 0.001 . Chalkbrood . Sacbrood . Tracheal Mite . Varroa Mite No Amitraz resistance was reported . Other No small hive beetles were found C. Comments

• Beekeepers reported on average 15% winterkill. 2011/2012 was the lowest winterkill reported in years. The percentage of winterkill was 13% and 21% for outdoor wintered colonies and indoor wintered colonies, respectively.

• Low winter loss and healthy colonies in spring encouraged beekeepers to replace all dead outs and increase the numbers of colonies from 260,000 to 282,000. This is an encouraging sign for industry development and growth.

• There is a significant increase in the number of hobby beekeepers in Alberta especially in urban districts. This increase in beekeeping in the cities requires special efforts to work with the municipalities and beekeepers to ensure providing public safety and reduce complaints regarding bees.

• Beekeepers have started to closely monitor varroa and nosema after our surveillance program established the value of monitoring throughout the year. Consequently, beekeepers have improved their decision making process and taken appropriate actions on time to keep healthy bees. Recent results of fall survey showed over 90% of colonies are healthy going to winter.

• In 2012 most beekeepers reported using Apivar for varroa mite control making it the most widely used form of mite control since 2008 when it was made available to them. Most beekeepers used Apivar as a spring treatment to achieve high efficacy results.

• 30% queen kill was reported by few beekeepers that used MAQS as a method to apply formic acid.

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A review of the label to reduce side effects on bees is needed. The most common method of formic acid application was Mitewipes (45-90 ml/hive, 3 times at 7-10 days intervals).

• Nosema has continued to be present at variable infection levels and it has been considered a serious cause of reported high winterkill (>75% / operation) in 5 commercial operations.

• The pedigreed hybrid canola seed production industry continues to grow in Southern Alberta. Beekeepers in Alberta supplied 75,000 colonies for canola pollination. The average fee for renting a bee colony was $160/ colony.

• Brood Disease

The inspection of bee colonies across the province as a part of Alberta Apiculture surveillance program continued. American Foul Brood was found in few commercial operations and testing for Oxytetracycline showed resistance in some samples. Results were reported to beekeepers for further actions.

● Parasitic Mites

Apivar continued to show excellent results of Varroa control (>95% efficacy). Testing for Apistan and Checkmite resistance using the Pettis test showed that Apistan efficacy was 90±10% and Checkmite 17%. The reversal of Apistan resistance is encouraging.

● Nosema Results of examining samples collected in fall 2012 showed low levels of Nosema spores. Although these results are encouraging, nosema infection levels are higher in spring. The sampling time for making management decision needs to be studied to provide a reliable sampling system to improve bee health.

●The small hive beetle - Visual inspection of 1500 bee colonies in 60 commercial and few hobby beekeeping operations did not yield any positive finding of the small hive beetle in Alberta. - 30,000 queens imported from Hawaii and USA were visually inspected for the small hive beetle. No finding of any live or dead stages of the small hive beetles were found in inspected queens.

● Alberta Apiculture Research Program:

• The honey bee pest surveillance research project was completed in 2012. Results were shared with the participant beekeepers and Alberta Beekeepers Commission. One potential miticide showed high mite kill under laboratory conditions. Futher field testing of this product will be conducted in 2013. A field test of HopGuard, Thymovar and formic acid MiteWipes (80ml/hive) showed that these products are effective mite control agents. More evaluation of new application methods is needed to improve HopGuard efficacy in the field.

• Alberta Agriculure has expanded the bee program and added a full time research scientist located at Lethbridge.

• Alberta Research Program is sponsored by Alberta crop Industry Development (ACIDF), Alberta Agriculture, Alberta Beekeepers, Bayer Cropscience- Canada, Pioneer-

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Hi bred, Poelman Apiaries, Southern Alberta Beekeepers Association, Hy Tech Production ltd. and Monsanto Canada), BeeMaid, and Canadian Bee Research Fund.

2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT - SASKATCHEWAN

Provincial Apiarist: Geoff Wilson A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 115 commercial, 650 hobbyist . No. of Producing Colonies 125 000 . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 185 lbs/colony 84 kg/colony . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 23 125 lbs 10511 kg . Colonies Wintered Last Year (10/11) 100 000 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 17% B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence _ (%) (%) . AFB 355 40 7 25 . EFB 355 30 0 0 . Chalkbrood 355 30 10 30 . Sacbrood 355 30 0 0 . Tracheal Mite 450 48 1 5 . Varroa Mite 462 50 88 84 . Other (Nosema) 420 45 50 80 C. Comments • Low winter loss, large overwintering populations of bee and promising honey prices

encouraged beekeepers to increase the numbers of colonies by making nucleus colonies and splitting.

• Colonies weakened by management for increase and inclement weather in some areas during periods of peak honey flow are likely responsible for reducing honey production in 2012

• Most commercial beekeepers are overwintering nucleus colonies as replacements or increase for 2013, there are approximately 25 000 nuclei going in to winter in SK in 2012.

• Saskatchewan has implemented importation criteria and protocols which allow honey bees of similar health status as Saskatchewan bees to enter the province. These protocols replace the blanket ban on importing honey bees to the province.

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• Some beekeepers reported higher than expected Varroa mites entering the fall. In this case elevated mite levels are likely associated with misapplied treatments (in the wrong locations in the hive). These beekeepers are expecting higher than normal winter loss.

• Overall beekeepers are reporting that colonies look good going into the winter. • Disease prevalence for AFB may be exaggerated. When infected colonies were

discovered in an operation, more colonies were investigated. Also when AFB was found in an area, other beekeepers in that area were investigated.

• Honey production was affected by poor weather during the peak production period. A week of rain moved into large portions of the province during the peak canola bloom.

• Beekeepers seem to be doing a good job of keeping Varroa and tracheal mites under control, while Varroa mites were present in many samples, the vast majority of samples were below the economic threshold.

2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT - MANITOBA

Provincial Apiarist: Rhéal Lafrenière and David Ostermann A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 517 . No. of Producing Colonies 80,000 . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 165 lbs / 75 kg . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 13,200 lbs / 6000 kg . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12) 77,000 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 16% B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence (%) (%) . AFB 2890 115 1.5 7.0 . EFB 2890 115 0 0 . Chalkbrood 2890 115 n/a n/a . Sacbrood 2890 115 n/a n/a . Tracheal Mite 149 samples 67 n/a 14.9 . Varroa Mite 250 samples 82 n/a 78.0 . Other - Nosema 303 samples 89 n/a 94.4 C. Comments

The average wintering losses in Manitoba, which also includes weak, nonviable hives in the spring was estimated to be approximately 16%. This estimate was based on the spring survey conducted by MAFRI using the standardized questions generated by the National Survey Committee. Beekeeper response to the

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survey was down this spring (i.e. 44% of the colonies represented) and survey fatigue was believed to be part of the reason for the reduction in returned surveys. The other reason was that spring came early and beekeepers were already busy with the bees when the survey was sent out. Losses in 2011-2012 were significantly lower than the losses the previous year (2010-2011), when 34% of the colonies either died during the winter or were too weak to be considered viable colonies. Favourable weather conditions for wintering bees were reported as the principal reason for the improved wintering success this past winter. Long, warm fall and a mild, short winter allowed the bees to maintain larger than normal population throughout the winter and spring. Beekeepers reported that making up losses was much easier this spring because of the abundance of strong colonies they could take brood from. One problem with having big population early in the season was that the colonies consumed a lot of food during the dirth period, so feeding expenses were higher than normal. Another problem was swarming! Although reports of swarming earlier this spring were really not that much higher than normal, reports of swarming problems at the end of June beginning of July had increased dramatically. Although at the beginning of the honey flow season most beekeepers were still fairly optimistic about the prospect of good honey production, drought conditions in most parts of Manitoba curbed enthusiasm very quickly and very little was produced during the month of August. Honey production was extremely variable! In areas that received more precipitation, disease problems in the canola and/or high insecticide use to control various insect pests had a negative impact on honey production this year. Regardless Manitoba’s average honey production per colony was estimated to be similar to the long-term average at approximately 75 kg/colony (165 lbs/colony) this year. Last year, honey production in Manitoba was considered above average at 91 kg/colony (i.e. 200 lbs/colony). Earlier in the year, there were many reports of problems with queen acceptance and establishment with some of the imported queens. MAFRI conducted a short survey that asked beekeepers to report on their positive and negative experiences with queen introduction this spring. Although MAFRI did not get a lot of responses, (i.e. only 20 beekeepers replied to the survey), overall the reported success with California queens stood out as having the least amount of problems. Reports on queens from Chile were also favourable, with generally good acceptance and establishment but the rate of failed queens was a bit higher at 5 – 10%. The higher rates of problems were reported with queens introduced into strong splits. Hawaiian queens, more specifically Kona queens had a very wide range of acceptance and supersedure problems. Some beekeepers reported good success with only 2% failure to establish, whereas other beekeepers reported 50+% failure. The timing of introduction did not seem to be a critical factor with reports of problems from April to June. More commonly, the reports of problems with high rates of poor acceptance and supersedure were associated with introducing queens to “larger” nucs or splits. Several producers reported that they had greater success when the queens were introduced into small nucs. Without knowing for certain the cause of the problem, there appeared to be issues with the queen’s ability to assert her reign over the population of bees she was introduced to. Whether there were pheromone problems or health problems with the queens, the rate of failed queens on average was high at approximately 15%±10% (i.e. huge variability). Lastly, although MAFRI did not get anyone to submit a survey response on Australian queens, the few anecdotal comments MAFRI received outside of the survey suggested that there were also problems with establishment. This spring/summer Manitoba imported 19,463 queens from Hawaii and MAFRI inspected a total of 16,239 for the presence of SHB. No life stages of SHB were found in any of the shipments from Hawaii. No queen shipments from

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mainland United States or other exporting countries were inspected for SHB in 2012. This fall there were several reports of colonies that exhibited adult population crash, leaving behind brood, and ample food stores (i.e. pollen and honey). In some cases, the beekeepers reported that varroa mite levels in the colonies were relatively high (10% – 15%) before treatment was initiated in the early fall. In others cases the beekeepers reported that mite levels remained low during the honey flow period. In one incidence, large amount of pollen were occupying the many brood rearing area of the colony (i.e. the middle frames in the hive). Samples of this pollen are currently being tested to determine at one point during the season were these pollen collected. Based on the outcome of these tested further investigation into what chemicals may be associated with the pollens and are they harmful to the bees. Lastly, In September 2012, a beekeeper from the Morden area reported finding what he suspected may be an adult SHB in his extracting facility. After initially identifying that the beetle specimen closely resembled SHB, MAFRI staff notified the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) of the discovery and asked to validate the identification. CFIA confirmed that the submitted specimen appeared to be an adult SHB, but that the size of the beetle appeared to be atypical and requested additional specimens be submitted. MAFRI conducted an inspection of the extracting facility as well as the apiary sites that were associated with the equipment in the building at the time of the beetle discovery. No more beetles were found in the extracting facility but One (1) adult SHB was discovered in a colony located in one of original apiary sites. The beetle specimen was submitted to CFIA and confirmed to be SHB, but again the size of the specimen was atypical so 100% confirmation was difficult. MAFRI also inspected two (2) apiary sites of a neighbouring beekeeping operation. One of the apiary sites was located within one (1) mile of the apiary where the beetle was found and the second site was located one (1) mile from the Manitoba-North Dakota border and approximately eight (8) miles from the SHB positive apiary site. One (1) adult SHB was found in a honey bee colony in the apiary site closest to the border. The beetle specimen was submitted to CFIA for identification, but given that it closely resembled reference specimens in the MAFRI Apiculture lab including size, it is highly suspected to be confirmed to be SHB. Under the authority of The Bee Act B15, effective immediately MAFRI have undertaken to establish a temporary quarantine of the affected operations, until which time a proper control strategy can be put in place. At this time of the year, this should have little to no impact on the affected beekeeper, at least until spring. In light that the route of this SHB invasion was most likely due to beetle dispersal across the border rather than through the importation of bees or hive products from locations known to have SHB, any control action will have to take into consideration what barriers for re-infestation are feasible. MAFRI will consult with CFIA, the other Provinces and industry to determine the necessary surveillance and control actions required to maintain the SHB status that currently exists in Canada. Based on the outcome of the consultation process, MAFRI can decide if the quarantine should continue next spring and if so what resources would be required to maintain or expand the SHB control strategy. At the very least, MAFRI will continue to work closely with the beekeepers in the affected area to monitor the colonies over winter and inspect other beekeeping operation along the border next spring.

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2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT - ONTARIO

Provincial Apiarist: Paul Kozak A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 3,100 . No. of Producing Colonies 100,000 . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 81.95 lb / 37.17 kg / Colony . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 8,195,000 lb / 3,717,000 kg . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12) 90,000 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 12.39 % ______________ B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence _ (%) (%) . AFB 12,845 352 2.5% . EFB 12,845 252 16.4% ? . Chalkbrood 12,845 352 5.6% ? . Sacbrood 12,845 352 8.3% ? . Tracheal Mite 0 0 ? ? . Varroa Mite (inspection was done on intensity not incidence) ? ? ? ? . Other (Small Hive Beetle) 12,845 352 0.1% 1.4 % C. Comments

Weather Patterns

The spring of 2012 was very warm and early. Honey bee colonies became active (foraging and brood rearing) approximately 4 weeks earlier than most years across the province. At the same time, agricultural practices and plant production shifted with the weather. This meant that honey bee forage was available when the bees needed it.

The summer was generally hot and dry with some isolated precipitation across the province. The unusual early spring may be a contributing factor to the higher fall levels of varroa. This could be due to four additional weeks of honey bee brood rearing / Varroa reproduction.

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Honey Production

Honey production was variable in 2012. The dominant factor was location, and how much precipitation each location received. The average honey crop in 2012 was 81.95 lbs / colony (2012 Honey Survey).

Pollination

Demand for pollination services for berry crops in Eastern Canada has increased in recent years. In 2010, 12,600 honey bee colonies left Ontario for pollination, with 14,700 colonies in 2011 and approximately 26,000 colonies in 2012. This represents almost one quarter of the managed colonies in Ontario. These colonies left Ontario to pollinate blueberries, cranberries and canola in the provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. There are indications that the blueberry acreage will increase substantially in Eastern Canada and Ontario with areas being developed in different areas of Northern Ontario within the next decade. This will further increase the demand for pollination services by Ontario honey bee colonies and provide additional opportunities for the industry to expand and diversify.

Pest and Disease Levels in Ontario

Varroa and Tracheal Mites

In September 2012 varroa mites were detected in the region of Thunder Bay, in multiple locations. The findings of varroa are significant as varroa mites have not been detected in this region previously.

The general trends of varroa levels encountered through varroa sampling during regular apiary inspections showed low levels in spring and high levels in fall. This follows the natural population progression of varroa as they increase throughout the season. However, the low levels encountered in many operations in the spring of 2012 seems to confirm the health of colonies reported by beekeepers and the success that beekeepers have had with their management of varroa mites in late spring 2011. There have been concerns with the high levels of varroa encountered in the fall of 2012 as the longer season may have allowed populations to build up at damaging levels in advance of late summer and early fall when winter bees are developing. It is essential that beekeepers monitor their levels of varroa and treat before damage occurs.

American Foulbrood (AFB) and Other Brood Diseases

In 2012, AFB was found in 71 beeyards, representing 311 honey bee colonies or 2.5 per cent of inspected colonies in Ontario. This figure may reflect the focus on "at risk" beeyards, based on proximity to other infected locations and available information from past disease status history.

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Other brood diseases that were tracked by the inspection program include European Foulbrood, Mellisococcus pluton (found in 0.01 per cent of inspected colonies), chalkbrood, Ascophaera apis (found in 5.6 per cent of inspected colonies) and sacbrood (found in 1.4 per cent of inspected colonies).

2012 Ontario Apiculture Survey Results - Levels of Winter Loss and Management Practices of Ontario Beekeepers

Winter Loss

The level of honey bee colony mortality over the winter was 12.39 per cent. This is much less than the winter loss documented over the past decade and is significantly lower than the 43 per cent last winter (Figure 2). This level of loss is much closer to what is considered to be acceptable and sustainable by most apiculturists (5 to 15 per cent) (Furgala and McCutheon, 1992). The level of winter mortality has decreased from the winter of 2010/2011 to 2011/2012 in all provinces across Canada (Figures 6 and 7). The recent severity of winter loss in Ontario has been a major concern for beekeepers where the winter mortality has more than doubled in the years of 2007 to 2009 and nearly tripled in the year of 2011 from the 15 per cent threshold.

This survey represents 71 of the 230 commercial beekeepers in Ontario and 35,000 of the 90,000 or 39 per cent of the honey colonies in Ontario. The Ontario winter loss report has been combined with the statistics from the other provinces to make up the 2012 Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists Winter Loss Report (Figures 6 and 7). See: http://capabees.org/home/wp-content/images/2012/11/2012capawintloss1.pdf

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Figure 2. Honey bee winter mortality in Ontario

Management Practices

Survey results indicated that, on average, Ontario beekeepers are replacing 41 per cent of their queens through regular management and 13 per cent due to queen problems.

The majority of queens used in commercial beekeeping operations originated from Ontario (43 per cent), followed by queens imported from Australia (32 per cent), California (16 per cent) and Chile and New Zealand (2 per cent each).

Sixty four per cent of commercial beekeepers are making the investment in producing nucleus colonies and overwintering for the following season. This is considered by apiculturists in Canada to be an important strategy to grow and sustain populations of honey bee colonies within operations and as an industry.

Fifty four per cent of the colonies surveyed were used for pollination.

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Figure 3. Spring 2011 treatments for varroa mites

Figure 4. Fall 2011 treatments for varroa mites

Ontario beekeepers have a variety of chemical treatment options available to manage varroa mites. The most popular synthetic acaricide treatment is Apivar®, with hardly any commercial beekeepers using Checkmite++™, as the resistance issues with Checkmite++™ are well recognized. Beekeepers are still using Apistan®. Although

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there are populations of varroa in Ontario that are resistant to Apistan®, this resistance can vary (70 to 90% - Technology Transfer Program, Ontario Beekeepers' Association (OBA) - personal communication). Many beekeepers are still using formic acid as a regular treatment option, especially in spring.

It is important to note that varroa populations are always increasing, even after treatments are applied. Therefore, the success (efficacy) of the treatment may have implications for the levels of the surviving varroa population and how soon varroa will reach damaging levels and ultimately on the survival of a honey bee colony.

Figure 5. Reasons attributed to winter loss 2011/2012

The major reasons for colony mortality during the winter of 2011 to 2012 attributed by beekeepers were starvation, poor queens and weak colonies. The levels of winter mortality experienced by most beekeepers in 2011/2012 could be considered low, especially compared with the recent high levels of winter morality in the years 2007 to 2009 and the year 2011 (Fig. 2). It is interesting to note that two factors that have been attributed to increasing levels of colony decline (varroa and nosema) were not seen to be a major cause of loss in the winter of 2012 by beekeepers. This may reflect the recent success that beekeepers have had controlling varroa and the uncertainty of nosema's impact on honey bee health in Ontario. It should be noted that Guzman et al. (2010) have demonstrated the importance of effective varroa control for honey bee colony survival. Dr. Guzman and the Technology Transfer Program, Ontario Beekeepers' Association are currently conducting research to assess the virulence of Nosema ceranae in Ontario.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which has been identified in the USA, has not been identified in Canada as of the 2012 field season. There has been concern amongst the

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industry that the levels of higher losses experienced by beekeepers in Ontario (2007 to 2009 and 2011) may have some relation to the higher losses experienced by beekeepers in the United States and the first reports of CCD (2006). To be clear, this disorder has been associated with a distinct set of symptoms (VanEngelsdorp et al., 2008). These symptoms may be considered separate from other reported losses of colony mortality (varroa damage, etc.). At present CCD has not been validated in Canada in field conditions by regulatory, research or extension staff in apiculture (Currie et al., 2010). The issues of both CCD (USA) and increased levels of colony loss (USA and Canada) are something that the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) is taking seriously. Provincial Apiarists and other members of CAPA are working to identify causative factors associated with reports of honey bee mortality in their respective provinces.

Small Hive Beetle Status

The distribution and population levels of small hive beetle (SHB) in Ontario are being tracked by the Apiary Inspection Program. Colonies are visually inspected for the presence of SHB adults and larvae with particular attention to areas of the hive where SHB is more likely to be found (top bars and pollen patties).

Two types of traps (top bar traps and bucket traps) were used in field inspections where required. Top bar traps were used in Dufferin County and the immediately adjacent regions. These traps are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, chemical-free, can be used throughout the season and are effective at capturing SHB. In certain higher-risk locations where it was important to determine if SHB was present, bees from the frames of supers were filtered through a screened bucket to examine for the presence of SHB.

Apiary Inspectors have also monitored targeted sites. These targeted sites are located in areas that are of potentially higher risk of being infested by SHB (Counties of Lambton, Niagara, Chatham-Kent and those along the St.Lawrence), either by their geographic proximity (along the USA border) to areas known to have SHB or by suspected association with a known area (e.g. through known or suspected trace-outs, selling or movement of honey bees).

Eight hundred and seventy six sites were inspected in the 2012 beekeeping season. This represents 355 beekeepers, 12,655 honey bee colonies inspected and covering approximately 31,000 honey bee colonies represented in the beeyards. SHB was found to be present in six of the 876 sites (Table 1). This is the same number of positive sites as in 2011.

For more information on biosecurity practices and identification of SHB see: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/biosecurity.htm http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/inspection/bees/shb-reportfindings.pdf

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Figure 8. Small hive beetle locations in Ontario in 2012

Table 1. Details on SHB findings in Ontario in 2012

County

# of Honey

Bee Colonies

Township Status

Chatham-Kent 5 Chatham-Kent

All sites were depopulated. There are no positive sites for SHB beyond the Quarantine Area at present.

Dufferin & Simcoe

20 Adjala-Tosorontio

6 Mulmer

Niagara 6 Niagara 3 Niagara

Lambton 5 Chatham-Kent

Bee Kill Incidents

During the spring of 2012, from mid April to June, there were multiple reports of beekeepers throughout Ontario (~ 230 locations and 40 impacted beekeepers) experiencing bee kill in their honey bee colonies. The symptoms documented and reported by beekeepers were characteristic of acute pesticide poisoning (large piles of dead bees in front of the colony, trembling, shaking and atypical behaviour displayed in bees) Health

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Canada has analyzed numerous samples of dead bees collected from these incidents. Samples were screened for several pesticides associated with the reported cases of atypical bee deaths in the province. Seventy per cent of the samples were positive for levels of a commonly used pesticide on corn seed (clothiandin). It is also important to note that, though the analysis indicates the presence of clothianidin, thiamethoxam breaks down to metabolites that include clothianidin.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (Health Canada) reported that "the information evaluated suggests that planting of corn seeds treated with the nitro guanidine insecticides clothianidin and/or thiamethoxam contributed to the majority of the bee mortalities that occurred in corn growing regions of Ontario and Quebec in Spring 2012." Health Canada has released a detailed report on the specifics related to the bee kill incidents. It is important to note that with all the incidents there were no known cases of off-label or improper use of pesticides by the growers.

In most cases, damage was reported in close proximity to treated corn seed that was planted (proximity and by date). Although this is the first time this issue has been reported in Ontario the issue of insecticides dislodging from corn seeds during seeding has been documented in Quebec since 2009 and was known to be an issue in Europe since 2002.

The scale of these incidents (reported acute pesticide damage) is worth noting where more incidents have been reported in Ontario than any other region of North America. Approximately four per cent of all registered beeyards in Ontario have been impacted and in some counties over 30 per cent of registered beeyards may have been impacted. Why Ontario had so many reports this past season has yet to be determined. The majority of corn seed sold in Ontario is treated with some form of the insecticides in question. Further research, incident reporting and environmental assessment by regulators may clarify this issue in the future - particularly the potential chronic impacts on honey bee colonies.

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2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT - QUÉBEC Provincial Apiarist: Claude Boucher A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers: 490 registered beekeepers . No. of Producing Colonies: 40,000 registered colonies . Average Yield/Colony (lb./kg): 40-50 kg . Total Estimated Crop (lb./kg x1,000): ----- . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12): 40,000 (estimate) . Average Winter Mortality (%): 16% (winter and spring losses) B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence (%)

(%) (%) . AFB 2,268 72 13 . EFB 2,268 72 11 . Chalkbrood 2,268 72 7 . Sacbrood 2,268 72 0 . Tracheal Mite - - 9 . Varroa Mite 2,268 72 - . SHB 358 18 0

C. Comments 1. Average winter mortality (2011–2012) includes winter and spring colony losses and

was 16% according to a postal survey send to all registered beekeepers in the spring. 2. Data in Section B, except that for SHB, is the result of passive surveillance (e.g.,

inspections carried out by request for beekeepers who suspected a disease problem in their hives or for health certification). The indicated proportion should not be interpreted as real annual incidence or prevalence of these diseases throughout the entire beekeeping industry in Québec.

3. No AFBr strain detected in 2012. All AFB strains are tested for resistance in

government provincial laboratory

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4. Data for AFB, EFB and tracheal mite are based on laboratory diagnosis. i. Tracheal mite: samples received from 44 beekeepers; 4 beekeepers

found positives. ii. Bacteriology: samples received from 36 beekeepers;

• 9 beekeepers positives for Paenibacillus larvae • 8 for Melissococcus plutonius/Paenibacillus alvei.

5. Nosemosis: samples received from 100 beekeepers; 43 beekeepers had some results

higher than 1M spores. 6. We are investigating suspected cases of bee poisoning by pesticides reported by

beekeepers (targeting acute poisoning). Bees are analysed for pesticides with multiresidue methodology (LC-MS/MS). When mortality/morbidity can be linked to some pesticides, the incident is reported to PMRA. In 2012, one reported incident was linked to neonicotinoid pesticides during planting of corn in the spring. Another one was linked to Phosmet exposure during apple pollination.

7. Specific information concerning surveillance of SHB infestation in Québec for 2012

• Our regulation was amended in June 2012 to include mandatory notification of SHB infestation.

• Three sites were identified infested with SHB at the end of the season 2011. Depopulation of those three sites (60 hives) was done in early spring 2012 with financial compensation to the beekeeper. This information was transmitted to CFIA for OIE update.

• Active surveillance for SHB was carried out in southwestern Québec along the U.S. and Ontario border during summer 2012. A combination of visual inspection and specific traps was used for surveillance. Thirty-seven (37) apiaries with a total of three hundred and fifty-eight (358) hives were subject to surveillance during the season. Inspection results indicate no SHB infestation.

• Presence of SHB not reported elsewhere in Québec as regular hive inspection includes SHB detection.

8. A few beekeepers report important colony collapse at the end of the 2012 season. It

seems that severe varroa infestation may be involved in these events. A long production season (early spring/nice fall) could explain development of large varroa population. Treatment application were done to late to save colonies.

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2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT – NEW BRUNSWICK

Provincial Apiarist: Chris Maund A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 244 . No. of Producing Colonies 7,306 registered (5,650 producing) . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) (35.2 / 15.9) . Total Estimated Crop (lb/kg x1000) (198.9 / 90.2) . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12) 6,800 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 28 B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence (%) (%) . AFB 1,395 79 0.9 7.6 . EFB 1,395 79 1.0 5.1 . Chalkbrood 1,395 79 2.1 7.6 . Sacbrood 1,395 79 0.4 5.1 . Tracheal Mite na na na na . Varroa Mite na na na na . Other C. Comments • The number of registered beekeepers includes beekeepers registered in the current year

and in the previous three years. • Producing colonies = colonies making surplus honey. na = not available. • No rAFB found. • Queens from Hawaii and USA were inspected for the small hive beetle (SHB) in

Quebec before entering New Brunswick (NB). There were not any stages of the SHB found.

• SHB monitoring: AJ’s Beetle Eater traps were used to monitor for the SHB in NB along the Maine border. Only colonies having the highest risk of SHB presence were monitored. This was based upon the proximity to the USA border and the likelihood of commercial honey bee colonies nearby in Maine. Traps were placed in 35 out of 184 colonies (comprising 13 beekeepers). There were not any SHB found.

• Noteworthy samples: Scavenging insects were found amongst recently dead honey bees which have been overwintered indoors. Larvae were also emerging from recently dead honey bees. Results: 1) Beetle larvae (family: Dermestidae – dermestid beetles); 2) Several species of adult flies (family: Sphaeroceridae – small dung flies); 3) Adult flies in the genus Megaselia (family: Phoridae – humpbacked flies). The humpbacked flies

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were not Apocephalus borealis Brues., which the beekeeper was concerned about. A control was not required for all of these samples. Dead honey bees could be removed to prevent further concerns.

2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT – NOVA SCOTIA

Provincial Apiarist: Joanne Moran A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 240 . No. of Producing Colonies 8,000 producing_18,500 total______________ . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 50/22.7 __________________________ . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 400/ 181.6 . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12) 17,500 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 18.9 B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence _ (%) (%) . AFB 404 24 .49 _____4.1 . EFB 404 ______________ . Chalkbrood 404 . Sacbrood 404 . Tracheal Mite 404 . Varroa Mite 404 . Other 404 C. Comments • All queens imported from Hawaii were inspected before release to the importer. No

stages of SHB were detected. • All tracheal samples collected in 2012 were negative for tracheal mites. • A three year $ 450,000 Bee Expansion Program was introduced in June of 2012 with the

goal to increase the number of colonies in the province as well as the number of commercial beekeepers.

• Dalhousie University Facility of Agriculture in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Perennia has developed a 4 module beekeeping course The Modern Beekeeper: Basics to Business The first module will be delivered in March 2013.

• For the first time importation of colonies from Ontario for pollination of blueberries took place in 2012.

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2012 PROVINCIAL APIARIST ANNUAL REPORT – PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Provincial Apiarist: Chris Jordan A. Beekeeping Industry Statistics . No. of Beekeepers 46 . No. of Producing Colonies 3,719 producing (6,169 total) . Average Yield/Colony (lb/kg) 52 lbs / 24 kg . Total Estimated Crop (lb/Kg x1000) 194.46 lbs / 88.21 kg . Colonies Wintered Last Year (11/12) 5,251 . Average Winter Mortality (%) 18.5% B. Diseases and Pests Number of Number of Disease Disease Colonies Beekeepers Colony Beekeeper Disease/Pest Inspected Inspected Incidence Incidence (%) (%) . AFB 433 22 0.9% 9.1% . EFB 433 22 3% 23% . Chalkbrood 433 22 2.8% 31% . Sacbrood 433 22 0.2% 4.5% . Tracheal Mite 186 pooled samples – all negative for HBTM . Varroa Mite . Other C. Comments • No rAFB found. • Queens from Hawaii and Australia were inspected for the small hive beetle (SHB) in

PEI or Quebec before entering PEI. No life stages of the SHB were found. • 864 x 1.5 kg packages were imported from New Zealand • PEI has introduced a Winter Mortality Program in the Fall of 2012 • A ‘Pollination Plan’ is being developed between the blueberry growers and beekeepers

to address long-term issue of supply of pollinators for the PEI blueberry industry.

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12/11/2013

1

CAPA IMPORT COMMITTE REPORT 2012

Dr Medhat NasrDr. Medhat Nasr

Alberta Provincial ApiculturistPest Surveillance

Research and Innovation DivisionEdmonton, Alberta, Canada

CAPA IMPORT COMMITTEEMEMBERS

- Medhat Nasr- Claude Boucher- Les EcclesLes Eccles- Rob Currie- Ernesto Guzman- Paul Kozak- Chris Maund- Geoff Wilson- PA's

ACTIVITIESHarmonization of bee imports protocols

Queens from Hawaii: Inspection for SHB

Health status of bees from Australia

Request for imports of bees from Argentina

Export genetic materials to Chile

Updating list of pests and diseases in provincial regulations

Bee stock replacement

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12/11/2013

2

ACTIVITIESHarmonization of bee imports protocols

Queens from Hawaii: Inspection for SHB

Health Status Update -Australia

Area of concern Asian honey bees

(Cairns)

Area of concern

SHB

6

Health Status Update - Australia• Nationally notifiable diseases:

– Tracheal mite, AFB, EFB, SHB, Tropilaelaps mites, Varroa mites– Other diseases notifiable at the state level

• AFB endemic except for isolated areas• EFB endemic except for state of Western Australia (free)• SHB – endemic in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, not identified in

Tasmania, S. Australia, Northern TerritorySHB i t i th f th t f W t A t li b t i

7

– SHB is present in the far north-west of Western Australia, but remains confined to that region

– Surveillance is ongoing in the south-west and no SHB detected– Movement controls exist within the state– Australia can continue to certify SHB freedom in the area from which

packages are exported

Health Status Update - Australia

• Australia remains free of Tropilaelaps mites andtracheal mites• Mainland Australia and Tasmania remain free ofvarroa• V. jacobsoni has been identified on 2 islands in the Torres St it th t d i i t d b A t li (V d t t

8

Strait that are administered by Australia (V. destructor never reported)• Western Australia confirms freedom from Asian honeybees and Nosema ceranae

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12/11/2013

3

Health Status Update -Australia

• Asian honeybee (Apis cerana)• Asian honeybees have been found in Cairns (primarily), and as far south as InnisfailCurrently in transition from an eradication strategy into a management strategy (government-industry

ll b ti ) J l 2011 J 2013

9

collaboration), July 2011-June 2013In the interim, measures aimed at reducing long distance spread remain in placeRestricted area for Asian honeybees continues to be far from the major beekeeping areas

Health Status Update – New Zealand

• New Zealand publishes the “Honey Bee Exotic Disease Surveillance Report”– Conducted and reported by AsureQuality Limited on

behalf of MAF NZ Biosecurity group• Surveillance conducted for:

E f lb d SHB “th iti fl ” (B l

10

– European foulbrood, SHB, “the parasitic fly” (Braula coeca), tracheal mite, Asian mites, Africanized honey bees, cape bee, and Apis species other than mellifera

ACTIVITIESRequest for imports of bees

from Argentina

Export genetic materials to

Chile

Updating list of pests and

diseases in provincial

regulations

Bee stock replacement

ACTIVITIESBee stock replacement:

A study of baseline of health status of honey bees with focus on specific

pests and diseases

A national strategic plan for the industry to undertake the growth of industry

and provide directionsp

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12/11/2013

4

Acknowledgements

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OBA-Tech Transfer Program Research Report Nov. 15 2012 CAPA AGM

PROJECT TITLE: Breeding and Maintaining Parasitic Mite Resistant Honey Bee Stocks in Ontario PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Leslie Eccles CO-INVESTIGATORS: Melanie Kempers, Janet Tam, Devan Rawn, Brian Lacey, Natalie Talbot, and Sarah D’Andrea Address: Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Orchard Park Office Centre Suite 185, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 E-mail: obatechtransfer@rogers.com Telephone: 519-836-3609 ABSTRACT: The Ontario Honey Bee Breeding Program is a long term program to incorporate and maintain mite resistant characteristics in Ontario’s honey bee stock. 2006 was the 15th year of testing for tracheal mite resistance and 2012 was the 15th year of testing for hygienic behaviour. Bee breeders in Ontario selected colonies with favourable characteristics to be tested for tracheal mite resistance and hygienic behaviour. The tracheal mite resistance test has not been performed since 2006 due lack of tracheal mite infested colonies to perform the tests on Ontario breeder colonies. Hygienic behaviour is important for mite and disease resistance within a colony. The liquid nitrogen freeze kill method was used to test for hygienic behaviour. Colonies which ranked in Group 1 (>80% of killed brood cells removed) and Group 2 (60-80% of killed brood cells removed) were recommended for use as breeders for the subsequent generation. Testing for hygienic behaviour was conducted on 238 potential breeder colonies for 11 bee breeders in 2012. PROJECT TITLE: Health Status of Colonies Tested in the Breeding Program ABSTRACT: Honey bee samples were collected from potential breeder colonies. At the time of hygienic behaviour testing, forager bees were collected. Bees were also collected from the brood chamber before treatments were applied in the fall. Varroa and tracheal mite infestation levels were determined and nosema spore levels analyzed as an indication of the health of the colonies. Monitoring the health of breeder colonies will ensure the quality of the bee stock produced in Ontario. As of late November, samples from 238 potential breeder colonies from eleven bee breeders have been submitted for nosema and tracheal mite testing and 40 samples have been submitted from two bee breeders for varroa mite testing. Additional sample delivery is expected. PROJECT TITLE: Progressive Training and Information Program for Beekeepers ABSTRACT: 1. Introductory Beekeeping Workshops (TTP) “Introductory Beekeeping” workshops were held in Guelph (May), Ancaster (2, June), Bobcaygeon (June) and Ottawa (June). A total of 119 people attended these five workshops in 2012. 2. IPM and Beekeeping Workshops (TTP)

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“Beekeeping and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)” workshops were conducted in Guelph (May), Bobcaygeon (June) and Ottawa (June). A total of 58 people attended these three workshops in 2012. 3. Introductory Queen Rearing Workshop (TTP)

One “Introductory Queen Rearing” workshop was conducted in Guelph in June. 24 people attended this workshop in 2012.

All three workshops consisted of classroom presentations accompanied by hands-on sessions in the bee yard.

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PROJECT TITLE: Best Management Strategies for Honey Bee Breeding and Colony Health PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Leslie Eccles CO-INVESTIGATORS: Melanie Kempers, Janet Tam, Devan Rawn, Brian Lacey, Natalie Talbot, and Sarah D’Andrea Address: Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Orchard Park Office Centre Suite 185, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 E-mail: obatechtransfer@rogers.com Telephone: 519-836-3609 Abstracts Activity #1 – Queen Quality Testing Fertility evaluations and virus testing in honey bees and queens will be used as selection criteria for queen breeding program. The objective of this activity is to set up field and lab protocol, implement these tests and allow bee breeders access to technology resulting in advanced selections. This technology will give beekeepers new tools needed to select for longevity of honey bee queens and honey bee resistance to viruses. Both of these criteria have been identified as areas of concern by the beekeeping industry, to reduce honey bee mortality rates that have increased from a historic norm of ~5%, to 35-45% in the last five years. Part of the process to bring fertility testing technology to beekeepers is training technicians to provide the service. This includes setting up the protocol to take samples from the field, and the laboratory procedures that make efficient and cost effective evaluations possible at the industry level. Training, consulting, and use of laboratory facilities for this activity have been provided by Dr. Ernesto Guzman’s Apiculture program that the University of Guelph and visiting technician MSc. Megan Taylor from Washington State University. The protocol was adopted and refined from protocol Dr. Guzman and Megan Taylor demonstrated in order to count live and dead semen using SYBR-14 and propidium iodide fluorescent stains (Taylor, 2009). In 2011, honey bee queens were donated from 3 Ontario beekeepers to use for training technicians from the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Technology Transfer Program. This training was the first step to establish the skills and protocol necessary to sample and test queens from Ontario honey bee breeders in the year 2012 and 2013. Training of technicians from the TTP is important to allow this service to arrive and be adopted by beekeepers in the field. These tests will allow beekeepers to select for increased fertility and test for improvements from this selection throughout and after the project has been completed; as it will be integrated into a formal breeding program (Activity #2). In 2012 9 bee breeders supplied 55 queens for fertility testing. The result of these tests have been important to indicate the fertility status of different selected lines of honey bee queens during different times of the queen rearing season. These results have also become of interest to the academic community, in order to better understand the reality of honey bee queen viability in the field, as the information is usually only collected from a limited range and environment located near their research facilities. This information can now be used by bee breeders to make new selections and improve the fertility aspect of their breeding program.

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Virus testing requires a high level of experience and knowledge in order to perform the evaluations necessary for this project. Dr. Rob Currie and MSc. Suresh Desai from the University of Manitoba are collaborating with the OBA-TTP in order to establish the protocol to collect samples of honey bees from the field, store and transport these samples to the University of Manitoba for evaluation, and design the most efficient and cost effect protocol to allow beekeepers to take advantage of this technology. Ontario has approx. 80 beekeepers that supply honey bees to the industry; some of these producers are bee breeders that select for characteristics to improve the ability for honey bees to resist diseases. During the first interim reporting period, 7 of these bee breeders donated 20 queens to the TTP in order to establish the protocol and testing for 7 of the more prevalent viruses known to affect honey bee health. Using the protocol set out by Dr. Currie, the TTP extracted, stored and shipped 50 samples from the donated queens to the University of Manitoba. These samples were processed in Dr. Currie’s laboratory facilities under the technical experience of MSc. Suresh Desai. The field virus testing protocol and laboratory testing for the 2012 season have been updated from the 2011 season in order to focus and improve the field practicality, information relevancy and cost effectiveness. This is an important aspect of this project since this type of technology has not been industry adapted until this stage. Samples taken from 5 beekeepers and 16 colonies during the 2012 season are being prepared to ship to Dr. Currie’s lab to be processes. This information will be available for bee breeders to use for the 2013 breeding season. This is the first time Ontario bee breeders have had access to this service and technology. The results of the testing were given to the breeders to help them use the information for improved selections (Activity #2). Activity #2 – Development of Bee Breeding Program The objective of activity #2 is to formalize and organize the methods and criteria used by bee breeders to select for improved genetics in honey bees. Using critiqued information, research, and consultation with experienced researchers and industry individuals; a formal breeding program is being created to answer the demand by bee breeders to understand how they use the criteria and data they collect to improve their breeding programs. The presentation “Developing Honey Bee Criteria and Selection for Goal Oriented Genetics” was presented at the OBA spring meeting bee breeders meeting held on March 23 -24 for approx. 60 attendees. This is part of the objective of this project to develop and transfer improved formal breeding selection and techniques to Ontario bee breeders. An Apimondia symposium is being held in Quebec from Nov. 15-18 2012. The focus of this symposium is “Queen Breeding, Selection and Bee Health”. The OBA Tech Transfer Team has been asked to organize and host a focus group session during this symposium, in which 22 highly reputable authorities on queen breeding and selection will attend, in order to discuss priorities needed to improve breeding programs used by beekeepers. This event is an extremely unique opportunity for this CAAP project to be presented to an international group of experts in the field of queen breeding and genetic improvement. The OBA TTP has also take this opportunity to invite 6 honey bee technicians from Saskatchewan, Quebec, and the United States to take part in facilitating this focus group and begin collaborations between our provinces and countries to improve the focus of bee breeding. Activity #3 – Advancement of Pest and Disease Management

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The goal of activity #3 is to expand the recommendations for pest and disease management to be more specific to the beekeeping activities/goals of beekeepers; particularly pest and disease management for colonies used for bee breeding and queen production, and colonies used to provide pollination services. Advances of this activity include the identification of disease specific management that uniquely affect queen/bee production and pollination colonies. The monitoring of colonies used for these purposes, was used to plan the adoption of new pest and disease management techniques in the 2012 season. During the 2011 season, 360 colonies used for pollination services were monitored from 4 Ontario beekeepers that provide over 8000 colonies for pollination services in blueberries, cranberries, canola, melons and other horticulture crops. The same 360 colonies where observed twice; upon return from pollination services in July and before overwintering in November. These beekeepers were also surveyed to identify management activities they apply to improve their ability to maintain healthy colonies for pollination services. The data gathered was analyzed to assess the effectiveness of their management strategies in relation to the health of the colonies that were monitored. This survey identifies benefits and disadvantages to management they are already implementing, and the ability of the colonies to overwinter and be available for pollination services the following 2012 season. The information will also allow for the development of new management practices that will be implemented to improve areas of management that have proved poor or weak results. Members of the Ontario Bee Breeders´ Association take part in annual testing of honey bee colonies they wish to use to select for pest and disease resistance. For the 2011 season, 8 bee breeders submitted samples from 290 colonies for testing for honey bee pests: varroa mites, tracheal mites and nosema. The results of these tests were used to prioritize the new monitoring and management strategies to be tested in the 2012 season. On Feb. 16, 2011 the Ontario Bee Breeders Association met to discuss and plan the implementation and testing of new management strategies to help them control the diseases tested as part of their queen and bee production program. A new method to apply oxalic acid to control varroa mite in the spring season for queen/nuc producers and pollination beekeepers was tested. The advantage to this treatment is that there is no effect on honey bee populations or queens and is considered a treatment to prevent resistant building to other commonly used miticides in an IPM program. This application was tested and will be reported on at the OBA AGM on Nov. 29th-30th. Activity #4 - Best Management Strategies for Pollination Colonies In 2011, the same 4 producers and 360 colonies in activity 3 where monitored upon return from pollination services and revised to assess the colony health conditions of the colonies in relation to the pollination service they provided and the colony management they applied. Beyond the pest and disease assessments related to activity #3, the colonies where also revised to quantify population rates, food stores and honey bee queen status. The additional aspects of colony health are addressed in activity #4. Population rates, food stores and the ability of the colony to sustain a queen can be directly related to nutrition. Based on the management survey of the producers taking part in this survey, each is using varying rates and timing of pollen and sugar application. Although the producers do observe a benefit to the application of pollen and sugar, the results are variable

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between producers. Based on data collected from producer management strategies and colony health data, and published research available on colony nutrition, the 2012 season resulted in a controlled study to identify the most effective timing and application rates of pollen and sugar. The objective of improving nutrition is to result in the best colony health conditions upon return from pollination, and population build-up before the over-wintering period. The 2012 field work collaborated with 4 beekeepers and using approx 400 colonies. Initial results show an economic disadvantage to the management techniques that beekeepers are currently employing and can be adjusted to save money and improve the application of pollen substitute. These results will be presented at the OBA AGM on Nov. 29-30th, 2012.

ALL 4 PROJECTS: START DATE: May 2011 END DATE: Sept 2013 TOTAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS: $244,806 FUNDING SOURCE: Agricultural Adaptation Council – Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program

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PROJECT TITLE: Small Hive Beetle: Management Strategies and Controls PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Leslie Eccles CO-INVESTIGATORS: Melanie Kempers, Devan Rawn, Brian Lacey, Natalie Talbot, and Sarah D’Andrea Address: Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Orchard Park Office Centre Suite 185, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 E-mail: obatechtransfer@rogers.com Telephone: 519-836-3609 With the identification of small hive beetle infestation in Essex County, Ontario, in the fall of 2010, monitoring and control methods were investigated. An entrance trap (Teal Trap) was installed on bee colonies in 3 bee yards in May and monitored weekly until the end of October for 2011 and 2012 to make observations on the lifecycle of SHB in northern climates.

Collaborating with Dr. Pierre Giovenazzo and M.Sc. Martine Bernier from Laval University in Quebec, TTP tested three in-hive traps that were installed in the same colonies as the entrance traps in early August and monitored weekly until the end of October to determine the efficacy of the traps.

Observations of bee colony health, strength and beetle/larvae population were made throughout the 2011 season in order to assess the different honey bee pests and health conditions contribute to SHB infestations.

Permanone is the only registered ground treatment to control SHB in the soil when it is developing from larva to an adult. In 2012, the TTP tested the Permanone ground drench treatment in order to determine its efficacy to reduce the amount of re-infestation of SHB into colonies. START DATE: April 2011 END DATE: Indefinite TOTAL FUNDING FOR PROJECT: $100,000 FUNDING SOURCE: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ontario Beekeepers’ Association

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PROJECT TITLE: Patterns of infection, economic damage, and potential novel control of Nosema ceranae in honeybee colonies PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Dr. Ernesto Guzman CO-INVESTIGATORS: Leslie Eccles, Melanie Kempers, Devan Rawn, Brian Lacey, Natalie Talbot, and Sarah D’Andrea Address: Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Orchard Park Office Centre Suite 185, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 E-mail: obatechtransfer@rogers.com Telephone: 519-836-3609 Nosema ceranae, a new species of the honeybee fungus Nosema spp., has been recently reported in Canada, thus becoming a new emergent issue for the beekeeping industry. Preliminary results have shown a potential association between colony mortality and slow colony development with high levels of nosema disease, an infection of the honeybee digestive tract caused by this fungus. We do not know much about the seasonal patterns of infection, infectivity, pathogenicity and economic damage of N. ceranae in Canada. Without this knowledge it is not possible to assess the risks that this emergent pathogen possess to the beekeeping industry and will not be possible to design effective control strategies against this fungus. Additionally, only one medicament, the antibiotic fumagillin, is available for the control of nosema disease, and risk of N. ceranae resistance and contamination of honey are disadvantages of this single control tool. Thus, this project is aimed at determining the infection patterns and relationship of N. ceranae with bee mortality. An estimate of the economic damage of this new parasitic fungus will be obtained, and new, natural medicaments, aimed at boosting the immune system of bees will be tested. This study will establish the seasonal infection levels of N. ceranae as well as its relationship with colony mortality, bee mortality and economic losses in apiaries. This information will enable the assessment of control recommendations, preventative measures and treatment calendars. The information generated will also allow rational decisions about future policies and studies on this particular parasite of honeybees in Canada. Additionally, novel treatments of nosema disease control with natural immune inducers will be tested and could potentially yield new medicaments to prevent or treat nosema disease in honeybee colonies. START DATE: December 2011 END DATE: December 2013 TOTAL FUNDING FOR PROJECT: $170,040 FUNDING SOURCE: Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Council

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Project title: Pathogenic effects of Nosema spp. and Varroa mites and induction of immune resistance in honey bees Principal Investigator: Name: Ernesto Guzman

Address: Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph ON N1G 2W1

Email: eguzman@uoguelph.ca Fax: (519) 837-0442 Telephone: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 53609 Co-Investigators (including graduate students):

Name: Paul Goodwin, Mollah Hamiduzzaman, Pegah Valizadeh, Gun Koleoglu, Janine McGowan, Alvaro de la Mora, Paul G. Kelly

Address: Same as above Fax: Same as above Telephone: Same as above Abstract (300 words or less): The objectives of these studies are to further investigate the pathogenic effects of Nosema apis and N. ceranae, as well as those of Varroa mites on bees. One important practical aspect of these studies will be to investigate ways of increasing the expression of immune responses in bees to potentially control honey bee diseases, including nosema disease and varroosis. We collected the data and are in the process of analyzing them. Start Date: September 2009 End Date: August 2012 Total Funding for Project: 127,000.00 Funding Sources: OMAFRA, CANPOLIN, NSERC DISCOVERY

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Project title: Bio-control of Varroa mites with entomopathogenic fungi. Principal Investigator: Name: Ernesto Guzman

Address: Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph ON N1G 2W1

Email: eguzman@uoguelph.ca Fax: (519) 837-0442 Telephone: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 53609 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Name: Alice Sinia, John Sutton, Miriam Martin, Paul G. Kelly Address: Same as above Fax: Same as above Telephone: Same as above Abstract (300 words or less): The objective of this project is to test entomopathogenic fungi for the control of varroa mites. Fungi are widely distributed natural organisms, and are considered environmentally safe. Therefore, they could be thought as potential agents to control Varroa mites. Alice Sinia, a PhD student, is working on this project. Alice was able to demonstrate that several of them penetrate the mite’s cuticle and kill it. Some of them were able to cause more than 90% mite mortality. Last summer we tested selected fungal isolates that were highly virulent to mites on bees, and those that showed the lowest toxicity to bees were tested under more natural conditions in honey bee hives this summer. We tested two methods of delivering the fungal spores in the hives. We collected the data and are in the process of analyzing them. Start Date: September 2009 End Date: August 2012 Total Funding for Project: 84,000.00 Funding Sources: OMAFRA, U of G

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Project title: Behavioural basis of honey bee resistance to the ecto-parasitic mite Varroa destructor. Principal Investigator: Name: Ernesto Guzman

Address: Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph ON N1G 2W1

Email: eguzman@uoguelph.ca Fax: (519) 837-0442 Telephone: (519) 824-4120 Ext. 53609 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Name: Carlos Medina, Berna Emsen, Paul G. Kelly Address: Same as above Fax: Same as above Telephone: Same as above Abstract (300 words or less): The behavioural basis of honey bee resistance to the ecto-parasitic mite Varroa destructor is being studied in Africanized and European bees. Carlos Medina conducted experiments with 151 colonies in Zacatecas, Mexico. Colonies of bees with African mitochondrial DNA had significantly lower levels of mite infestation than colonies of bees with European mitochondrial DNA. Of the potential mechanisms of resistance studied, grooming behaviour was the only mechanism that was significantly correlated with low levels of mite infestation. Berna Emsen studied the relationship of different bee behavioural mechanisms with the infestation levels of the varroa mite in sets of paired genotypes that are presumably susceptible and resistant to the mite. Bees from the “resistant” colonies had lower mite population rates (up to 15 fold) and higher percentages of damaged mites (up to 9 fold) than bees from the “susceptible” genotypes. At the individual level, bees from the “resistant” genotypes performed significantly more instances of intense grooming (up to 4 fold), and a significantly higher number of mites were dislodged from the bees’ bodies by intense grooming than by light grooming (up to 7 fold) in all genotypes. The odds of mite removal were high and significant for all “resistant” genotypes when compared with the “susceptible” genotypes. The results of this study strongly suggest that grooming behavior and the intensity with which bees perform it, is an important component in the resistance of some honey bee genotypes to the growth of varroa mite populations. Start Date: March 2011 End Date: December 2012 Total Funding for Project: 60,000.00 Funding Sources: NSERC

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Project Title: Integrated Management of Nosema and Detection of Antibiotic Residues Principal Investigator: Co-Investigators: Name: Dr. Stephen F. Pernal Name: Dr. Jeff Pettis Address: AAFC Beaverlodge

Box 29, 1 Research Road Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Address: USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory Bldg. 476 BARC-E Beltsville, MD USA 20705

Email: Steve.Pernal@agr.gc.ca Email: jeff.pettis@ars.usda.gov Fax: 780-354-5150 Fax: 301-504-8736 Tel: 780-354-5135 Tel: 301-504-7299 Name: Mr. Andony Melathopoulos Name: Dr. Tom Thompson Address: AAFC Beaverlodge

Box 29, 1 Research Road Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Address: Chemistry Section AAFRD, Agri-Food Laboratories O.S. Longman Bldg. 6909 – 116 St. Edmonton, AB T6H 4P2

Email: Adony.Melathopoulos@agr.gc.ca Email: Tom.Thompson@gov.ab.ca Fax: 780-354-5150 Fax: 780-415-4527 Tel: 780-354-5130 Tel: 780-415-4530 Other Personnel: Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim (PDF), AAFC Beaverlodge; Johan van den Heever, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Alberta. Abstract: Nosema ceranae is an emergent world-wide pathogen, and it, in combination with N. apis, have been linked to wide scale depopulation of colonies in North America and Europe. We propose to examine more effective chemotherapeutic control for these parasites and generate a modern antibiotic residue dataset for fumagillin-based therapies. Our objectives are to: 1) Develop optimal application methods and dosages for fumagillin against N. apis and N. ceranae; 2) Document residues associated with different methods of fumagillin application; 3) Screen alternative therapies for nosema; and 4) Examine the seasonal phenology of N. apis and N. ceranae in Canada. These data will benefit the Canadian beekeeping industry by providing optimal treatment options to control both microsporidian species causing nosema disease without contaminating honey with unwanted residues. It will also provide for the development of modern analytical techniques for the detection of fumagillin and its degradation products, which currently do not exist. Finally, this research may lead to identifying other effective therapies so as to lessen dependency on fumagillin treatments. In 2012, the last portions of this project were completed. In the spring, adult bee samples were taken and analyzed for Nosema spore numbers and species composition from a co-operating producer in Northern Alberta, where different formulations of fall-applied fumagillin had been used to treat honey bee colonies infected with N. ceranae. Processing of samples associated with a field experiment to optimize sampling techniques for Nosema spp. was also finished. In addition, a final series of cage bioassays were undertaken to evaluate novel compounds synthesized for potential Nosema suppression. This activity is in support of the graduate program of Mr. Johan van den Heever at the University of Alberta. Mr. van den Heever continued to validate an LC-MS/MS technique for the detection of fumagillin in honey and has started to apply this technique to analyze incurred samples from field experiments performed at Beaverlodge Research Farm.

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Start Date: 1 April 2008 End Date: 31 March 2012 Total Funding: $ 117, 000 (Awarded in 2011-12) Funding Sources: AAFC MII ($56,000), ACIDF($30,000), Alberta Beekeepers ($20,000), Canadian Bee Research Fund ($8,000), Bee Maid Honey ($3,000).

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Project Title: Detection of Chemical Residues in Hive Products Principal Investigator: Co-Investigators: Name: Dr. Stephen F. Pernal Name: Dr. Tom Thompson Address: AAFC Beaverlodge

Box 29, 1 Research Road Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Address: Chemistry Section AAFRD, Agri-Food Laboratories O.S. Longman Bldg. 6909 – 116 St. Edmonton, AB T6H 4P2

Email: Steve.Pernal@agr.gc.ca Email: Tom.Thompson@gov.ab.ca Fax: 780-354-5150 Fax: 780-415-4527 Tel: 780-354-5135 Tel: 780-415-4530 Name: Dr. Greg Appleyard Name: Dr. Norine Best Address: CFIA Veterinary Drug Residue

Laboratories 3650-36 Street N.W. Calgary, AB T2L 2L1

Address: Chemistry Section AAFRD, Agri-Food Laboratories O.S. Longman Bldg. 6909 – 116 St. Edmonton, AB T6H 4P2

Email: Greg.Appleyard@inspection.gc.ca Email: Norine.Best@gov.ab.ca Fax: 403-299-7629 Fax: 780-415-4527 Tel: 403-221-3293

Tel: 780-422-0223

Abstract: Agricultural and apicultural pesticides have been hypothesized to be one factor that may contribute to declining honey bee populations. The CFIA national chemical residue monitoring program does not currently include apicultural products other than honey, consequently very little work has been carried out in Canada to quantify pesticide residues in pollen or wax. In addition, residue accumulation has not been compared from hives placed in different agricultural crop settings and simultaneous comparison of residues across different hive matrices (honey, pollen, wax, bees) has not been performed. Differences in agricultural practices in Canada compared with the United States also speak to the need for generating baseline data for pesticides found within hive products in this country. The need for a better understanding of residue levels in pollen is especially true as it is the hive product most frequently contaminated with agricultural crop pesticides, it is a key component of honey bee nutrition and it is also consumed as a human health supplement. We propose to further develop analytical methods (LC-MS/MS) for the determination of multiple antibiotics and pesticides in pollen, honey and wax with particular attention to new generation agricultural pesticides and apicultural products. We will generate residue information related to environmental contamination of hive products and analyze whether beekeepers are using antibiotics and acaricides in a manner that reduces the risk of violative residues entering the food chain. We further aim to provide recommendations for the management of colonies to avoid environmental contamination. As an associated aim of this project, we will also continue to examine fumagillin residues in honey including its photolytic and thermal degradation products. We will attempt to characterize biological activity and residue deposition patterns related to treatment application techniques and dosages, as well as developing recommendations for producers so as to enhance the activity of fumagillin against N. ceranae with minimized residue risk. In 2012, 291 samples of pollen, honey and wax were collected from honey bee colonies situated on canola, yellow sweetclover, alsike clover, alfalfa and corn crops in northern, central and southern Alberta at different times in the bloom season. Pollen samples will be analysed for

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pesticide residues during the winter of 2012-13. If additional funding is secured, remaining hive products will also be analysed. Start Date: 1 April 2011 End Date: 31 March 2013 Total Current Funding: $ 59,500 (nominal cash per annum) Funding Sources: AAFC National Project Grant

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Project Title: Next-Generation Integrated Pest Management for Beekeeping Project Leader: Co-Project Leader: Name: Dr. Leonard Foster Name: Dr. Stephen F. Pernal Address: Dept Biochem & Molecular

Biology Michael Smith Laboratories 301 – 2185 East Mall, UBC Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4

Address: AAFC Beaverlodge Box 29, 1 Research Road Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0

Email: ljfoster@interchange.ubc.ca Email: Steve.Pernal@agr.gc.ca Fax: 604-822-2114 Fax: 780-354-5150 Tel: 604-822-8311

Tel: 780-354-5135

Co-Applicants: Dr. Rob Currie (Univ. of Manitoba), Dr. Katherine Baylis (Univ. of Illinois), Dr. Eric Jan (UBC), Dr. Ashebar Sewalem (AAFC), Dr. Marta Guarna (UBC). Other Personnel (Marker-Assisted Selection): A. Melathopoulos (AAFC), Dr. Shelley Hoover (PDF-Breeding), Heather Higo (Langley, BC), Elizabeth Huxter (Grand Forks, BC), Dr. M. Bixby (PDF-Econ.) Abstract: Our large-scale applied research project has 3 major objectives: 1) to demonstrate the utility of using proteomic-based marker-assisted selection (MAS) to increase pathogen and mite-resistance in bee stocks; 2) to evaluate new RNAi reagents for controlling bee pathogens and parasites; and 3) to develop an economic model of current beekeeping management and production practices against which to evaluate the impacts of ‘omic-based disease and pest management technologies. Pernal’s lab at AAFC has been leading the first objective of this project in collaboration with Foster, Currie and other project contributors. Several studies have indicated that knowledge linking genetic markers to quantitative traits can increase the selection response in breeding programs, especially for traits that are difficult to improve when using traditional selection. MAS is used in other sectors of agriculture but has yet to be applied in apiculture. By discovering heritable protein biomarkers of disease-resistance traits in our previous “APIS” project, the preliminary data we needed to launch the current project was put in place. Within the selective breeding objective of our project we aim to: 1) validate the use of our putative proteomic markers, 2) demonstrate that MAS in bees is effective at enriching the targeted trait(s), 3) show that selected bees offer an economic advantage to beekeepers, and 4) provide beekeeper-friendly tools for practical adoption of MAS. In 2012, an F1 and F2 generation were produced at our breeding sites in Langley and Grand Forks, BC, using instrumental insemination. For each generation per site, separate pools of 50 colonies were evaluated for hygienic behaviour and Varroa-sensitive hygiene (VSH) using traditional phenotypic techniques (Field Assay Selected), or against our diagnostic panel of proteomic markers (Marker-Assisted Selected). Based on hygienic behaviour performance evaluated by behavioural assays or protein markers, the top ten FAS or MAS colonies were selected as breeders to produce the subsequent generation. In addition, subsets of F1 daughter queens were also sent to Beaverlodge, AB and the University of Manitoba for evaluating resistance to American foulbrood, as well as to Varroa destructor. Preliminary results indicate variation in expression of resistance for both the F1 FAS and MAS stock against benchmark stock representative of that found in Western Canada. In 2013, a third generation of FAS and MAS-selected stock will be produced and evaluated for disease and mite resistance under controlled experimental conditions. Moreover this stock

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will be more widely propagated and distributed for evaluation among our 12 co-operating commercial producers across Western Canada. Start Date: 1 April 2011 End Date: 31 March 2014 Total Current Funding: $5.7 M - Total project life. (~$200 K per annum to SP) Funding Sources (total): $2.8 M Genome Canada (Cash); $1.4 M Genome BC (Cash); $100 K Genome AB (Cash); AAFC, UBC, USDA, U. Manitoba, BCHPA, BC Blueberry Council (Cash or In-Kind).

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Honey bee stock evaluation, reproduction and genetic selection. Principal Investigator:

Pierre Giovenazzo Département de biologie Faculté des sciences et de génie Université Laval Québec, Québec Canada G1K 7P4 pierre.giovenazzo@bio.ulaval.ca 418-656-2131(8081)

M.Sc. student: Andrée Rousseau

Abstract The main goal of this project is to establish a permanent provincial bee stock evaluation and genetic selection program at the Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD). The specific objectives are: 1) To scientifically evaluate and compare zootechnical performances of selected honey bee stock (Buckfast, VSH and Québec local); 2) To develop a breeding program aiming for a constant amelioration of the zootechnical performances of honey bee stock available in Québec via its Queen breeders. Inbreeding and character concentration will be insured by isolated reproduction and artificial insemination ; 3) To establish a provincial redistribution and an in situ evaluation of the selected honey bee stock with the collaboration of the CRSAD, the Quebec Queen breeders and the Québec Apiculturists.

Start Date: June 2010

End Date: December 2014 Total Funding for Project: $610,550 Funding Sources: Conseil pour le développement de l’agriculture du Québec et Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault

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The Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray, Coleoptera : Nitidulidae) : surveillance and control. Principal Investigator:

Pierre Giovenazzo Département de biologie Faculté des sciences et de genie Université Laval Québec, Québec Canada G1K 7P4 pierre.giovenazzo@bio.ulaval.ca 418-656-2131(8081)

Abstract: Objective is to study propagation of Small hive beetle populations in southern Québec. All positive sites are quarantined and submitted to an eradication procedure.

Start Date: April 2012

End Date: December 2015 Total Funding for Project: $150,000 Funding Sources: Ministère de l’agriculture des pêcheries et de l’alimentation du Québec et Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault

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Project title: Assessment of freeze-dried garlic powder to promote honeybee health. Principal Investigator: Name: Peter Kevan

Address: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Email: pkevan@uoguelph.ca Telephone: 519 824 4120 x52479 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Thomas Woodcock (U of Guelph), Lyn Freeman (Bay Organics) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): Preliminary trials using garlic for suppression of mite parasites and amelioration of honeybee health have shown positive results. This research builds on that information to determine the palatability of freeze-dried, garlic scape powder and freeze-dried garlic powder to honeybees, and then to apply the most palatable formulation to honeybee hives to test its efficacy for suppressing mite pests, improve honeybee health, and improve colony productivity. Unlike many garlic supplements and products, Bay Organics’ freeze-dried garlic and garlic scape powders retain viable active ingredients (high allicin and sulphur content), and are thus likely to show greater efficacy as a medicament than other garlic powders or supplements. The overall objective of the project is to determine the utility of freeze-dried organic garlic powder and garlic scape powder (a signature product of Bay Organics) as a dietary supplement for honeybees to combat the varroa mite and improve general colony health and performance. Start Date: 2011 End Date: 2013 Total Funding for Project: ca. $40,000 Funding Sources: IRAP Project title: Epidemiology of Varroa mite infestations and CCD Principal Investigator: Name: Hermann Eberl

Address: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Email: pkevan@uoguelph.ca Telephone: 519 824 4120 x52479 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Peter Kevan, Vardayani Ratti Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The goal of this project is to apply mathematical models techniques to explain Colony Collapse. These models have now been developed and continue to be refined. The models illustrate and predict that honeybee colonies infested with Varroa destructor and its associated viral pathogens can be expected to fluctuate in annual cycles (as is normally seen), but then to suddenly collapse under the burden of parasitic and pathogenic infestations. The models are being used to introduce other factors (e.g. management and treatments) into the colony population dynamics with a view to how to mitigate sudden colony collapse and CCD.

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Start Date: 2010 End Date: 2013 Total Funding for Project: Funding Sources: NSERC-Discovery, NSERC-CANPOLIN

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Project title: Development of biovectoring technologies Principal Investigator: Name: Peter Kevan

Address: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1

Email: pkevan@uoguelph.ca Telephone: 519 824 4120 x52479 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: John Sutton, University of Guelph Les Shipp, AAFC (Harrow) Jeong Kim, Rural Development Administration of Korea Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The Kevan lab continues to involved with a series of projects aimed at aimed at using pollinators (both honey bees and bumble bees) as vectors for biocontrol agents in field and greenhouse settings. Ongoing projects include the development of beneficial biocontrol agents for the suppression of crop diseases (e.g., mummy berry) and insect pests (e.g., tarnished plant bug), as well as R&D for in-hive tracking dispensers to deploy said biocontrol agents. Field trials in a range of crops (greenhouse tomato, sunflower, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry) have yielded promising results. Dispensers for honeybees to take biocontrol agents into the hive for potential control of hive pests and diseases are also in development. Prototypes were developed for testing in 2012, but there appear to be some challenges associated with the translucency and texture of the materials and possibly of the design. Amendments to the design of the “in-spensers” are ongoing. As an offshoot of this line of research, a new company has been formed (BVT Inc) which is commercializing the highly successful outcomes of bumblebee biocontrol agent biovectoring technology and is expanding to incorporate honeybee biovectoring. Start Date: 2010 End Date: ongoing Total Funding for Project: Funding Sources: NSERC-CANPOLIN, RDA, CAAP, others

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Project title: Caractérisation de marqueurs génétiques de type SNP en vue du développement d'un outil d'évaluation génomique chez l'Abeille mellifère (Apis mellifera). Principal Investigator: Name: Nicolas Derome, PhD

Address: 1030 avenu de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Email: Nicolas.derome@bio.ulaval.ca Telephone: 418-656-7726 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Pierre Giovenazzo ; Pierre-Luc Mercier ; Pierre-Olivier Ouellet ; Caroline Berger Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The honey bee Apis mellifera, one of the most important pollinator insects, is annually decreasing by 25% in Quebec. These losses are increasing from year to year due to many factors: diseases, varroa mites, viruses, use of pesticides, weak honey bee adaptation to the environment...etc. Building strong breeding and selection programs for the adaptation of the local honey bees to their environments remains the best solution to prevent honey bee loss. This study aims to develop Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers (SNP) characterizing the hygienic behavior of the honey bee populations in Quebec. Thirteen honey bee colonies were tested for their hygienic behavior. The test was done by measuring, after twenty-four hours, the number of the removed nymphs killed by liquid nitrogen. Based on this test, the studied colonies were defined as either hygienic or unhygienic colonies. From these studied colonies, fifteen honey bee nurses were sampled for genetic analysis. The metatranscriptome of each colony was isolated to form "RNA- seq" libraries for Illumina sequencing platform. The availability of Apis mellifera full genome has allowed alignment of coding sequences on the 16 chromosomes. The next steps are to perform statistical tests to detect genes differentially expressed between hygienic and non hygienic colonies, and then genotype cis-regulatory regions of these candidate genes. Looking for the SNPs in the cis-regulatory regions and exons will allow selecting the best genetic markers in order to assist breeding programs. Start Date: April 1, 2012 End Date: March 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: 100 000$ Funding Sources: MAPAQ, programme PSIA

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Project title: Outil de biosurveillance de la prévalence des infections virales dans les colonies d’abeilles domestiques (Apis mellifera) dans un contexte agroenvironnemental.. Principal Investigator: Name: Nicolas Derome, PhD

Address: 1030 avenu de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6 Email: Nicolas.derome@bio.ulaval.ca Telephone: 418-656-7726 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Mohamed Alburaki ; Madeleine Chagnon ; Pierre-Luc Mercier Abstract or project description (300 words or less): L’objectif général est de fournir à l’industrie apicole québécoise un outil de biosurveillance de la qualité de l’environnement, basé sur des mesures de l’incidence de l’exposition des abeilles à des doses sous-létales d’un pesticide de la classe des néonicotinoïdes sur leurs performances zootechniques.

Le présent projet vise à atteindre les quatre objectifs spécifiques suivants :

1) Tester si l’exposition à des doses sous létales d’un pesticide de la classe des néonicotinoïdes a un effet significatif sur les performances zootechniques des colonies et identifier les périodes d’exposition aiguë aux pesticides (semis, anthèse).

2) Tester si l’exposition à des doses sous létales d’un pesticide de la classe des néonicotinoïdes a un effet significatif sur la prévalence d’infections virales.

3) Établir s’il existe des corrélations virus – exposition à un pesticide chez les abeilles en fonction du statut sanitaire des colonies (saines vs malades).

4) Identifier et quantifier les effets d’interactions synergétiques entre des facteurs de stress biologique (prévalence virale) et chimique (néonicotinoides utilisés en enrobage de semence de maïs) sur les performances zootechniques des colonies d’abeilles.

Start Date: July 1, 2012 End Date: Feb 28, 2014 Total Funding for Project: 200 000$ Funding Sources: CDAQ, programme PCAA.

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Project title: Monitoring honey bees and wild pollinators during corn planting in Québec. Principal Investigator: Name: Valérie Fournier Address: Centre de recherche en horticulture; 2480, boul. Hochelaga; Québec, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6 Email: Valerie.fournier@fsaa.ulaval.ca Telephone: 418-656-2131 ext. 4629 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Geneviève Labrie PhD; Madeleine Chagnon PhD; Olivier Samson-Robert (MSc candidate) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The increase in honey bee (Apis mellifera) mortality during the period of corn sowing has been

documented in many countries of Europe and American states. These studies indicate that

sowing, with a pneumatic drilling machine, of neonicotinoid coated seeds produces atmospheric

emission of particulate matter containing the insecticide. Consequently, these particles can be

carried out by the wind and fall on the vegetation surrounding the seeded area. Honey bees and

indigenous pollinators may be exposed through the wind current transporting fragments of

insecticides or by collecting contaminated nectar and pollen from exposed nearby vegetation. In

Québec, few cases of honey bee poisoning during the period of corn have been reported since

2009 but Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam were identified in honey bees at lethal doses. In this

study, 12 apiaries located throughout Montérégie and Estrie regions were followed during the

period of corn sowing (May 3rd to June 15th 2012). Five colonies were targeted in each of these

apiaries in front of which dead honey bees were counted, collected and analyzed by mass

spectrometry. One colony of bumblebees (Bombus impatiens) was placed on each study site

and living foragers were captured and analyzed by Real Time qPCR to determine the

expression level of a biological marker (AChE) reflecting their level of exposition to neurotoxic

insecticides. Preliminary results show an increase in mortality of honey bees exposed to coated

seed fields. The use of circumstantial parameters such as the type of seed drill and the

meteorological conditions during sowing will allow analyses to show the extent of the

problematic, indicate the most substantial variables and lead to corrective measures in

agricultural techniques.

Start Date: May 1st 2012 End Date: April 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: 60,000$ Funding Sources: Prime-Vert Stratégie Phytosanitaire, MAPAQ

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Project title: Nutritional value and pesticide content of pollen collected by commercial honey bees in the Maritimes Principal Investigator: Name: Dave Shutler, PhD

Address: Biology, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6 Email: dave.shutler@acadiau.ca Telephone: 902-585-1354 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Megan Colwell (MSc candidate), Geoffrey R. Williams (PhD candidate), Abstract or project description (300 words or less):

Declining populations and diseases highlight the need to enhance our understanding of honey bee health. Proper nutrition enhances as well as maintains colony health and sustainability. Pollen is a colony’s chief source of protein (amino acids), lipids, minerals, and vitamins, all of which are necessary for brood-rearing and normal development. If inadequate nutrition is obtained from pollen for a particular season, crop, or location, effective pollen supplementation strategies may be needed. Identifying occasions when honey bees are experiencing malnutrition, and therefore weakened colony health, could reduce overwintering losses. Nutritional content of pollen is highly variable among plant species and among geographic regions. Thus, to achieve optimal nutrition from pollen, honey bees may have to forage on a variety of species to obtain all their essential nutrients. By determining the extent to which honey bees collect pollen from non-crop plants, we may be able to identify situations requiring nutritional supplementation, ultimately improving pollination practices. Additional serious problems for apiculture occur because of use of pesticides in agricultural practices; honey bees are sometimes more susceptible to insecticides than are target pests. Knowing what pesticides are in pollen is valuable for identifying possible hazardous contaminants of honey bee forage. We are quantifying amino acid content and pesticide content of honey bee pollen in blueberries, apples, cranberries, and post-crop sites.

Start Date: 1 January 2010 End Date: 31 December 2012 Total Funding for Project: $81,450 Funding Sources: Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program, Canadian Bee Research Fund, Acadia University, Beekeepers Associations (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)

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Project title: Principal Investigator: Madeleine Chagnon, PhD Département des sciences biologiques Université du Québec à Montréal Address: 60 basse-Double, saint-Jude (Qc) Canada J0H 1P0 Email:Chagnon.madeleine@uqam.ca Telephone: 450-792-2227 Co-Investigators Marie-Odile Lebeau, botanist and agronomist Marc-André Larose (graduate student) Laura-Jeanne Raymond Leonard (undergraduate student) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): Annual and perennial plants were cultivated as crops in three different agricultural environments of the Lanaudière region (Québec, Canada) in order to assess their attractivity to honeybees and the impact of their proximity to hives, on colony health. Plants were chosen for their potential value as a crop for culinary, aromatic, medicinal or agronomic use. Colony health was measured by brood development and bee mortality in front of hives. Honeybee visits to flowers were recorded and standing crop nectar concentrations were measured when possible. Results show a 48% higher development of brood in colonies placed near melliferous plant plots than in those placed in an industrial agriculture landscape, despite of similar bee mortalities observed front of hives. Visits were most important in Phacelia and Agastache. A behavioral foraging switch from Phacilia to Agastache was correlated to standing crop nectar sugar content. Agastache was visited for pollen only on days with high humidity. A better understanding of seasonal behavior of honeybees on melliferous plant could help to choose the most adequate species for plant managements aiming to improve colony health and productivity, while providing valuable crops to growers. Start Date: April 2012 End Date: March 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: Funding Sources: Canadian Agriculture Adaptation Program (Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada), in collaboration with le Centre de recherché en sciences animals de Deschambault (CRSAD) and La federation des apiculteurs du Québec (FAQ).

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Project title: Impact and control of viruses on comb on honey bees Principal Investigator: Name: Rob Currie, PhD

Address: Dept of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Email: Rob_Currie@UManitoba.ca Telephone: 204-474-6020 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Jaclyn Deonarine, Suresh Desai, Sheling Jiang Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The objectives of this study were to determine (a) if viruses remaining on comb in colonies that died over winter affected bee health in colonies that are subsequently hived into that equipment and (b) to determine if electron beam irradiation treatments that suppress American Foulbrood are also effective in mitigating the impact of virus on comb. Virus levels were higher in colonies with deadout comb than in colonies with comb from honey supers indicating viruses do survive on comb from deadouts and can reinfect colonies in spring. Surprisingly, electron beam irradiation treatments did not suppress virus levels and in fact virus levels in irradiated treatments were higher than in non-irradiated treatments for both eggs and larvae. The epidemiology of virus transmission dynamics was investigated in all life stages of honey bee development. Start Date: April 1, 2011 End Date: March 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: $71,000 Funding Sources: Food Safety for Farms, Growing Forward Project title: Distribution and Impact of honey bee viruses and other stressors on honey bee winter survival in Canada and potential for their control. Principal Investigator: Name: Rob Currie, PhD

Address: Dept of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Email: Rob_Currie@UManitoba.ca Telephone: 204-474-6020 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Suresh Desai (Ph.D. student), (Cole Robson-Hyska, M.Sc. student), Lindsay Geisel (Undergraduate thesis), Jaclyn Deonarine, Derek Micholsen, S. Wyard, Young-Jae Eu Abstract or project description (300 words or less): Samples of bees were collected from bees in most beekeeping regions in Canada (eight Provinces) and analyzed for the presence of seven economically important viruses. Virus levels were also sampled from populations of native bees in environments with and without honey bees and methods to optimize the collection of virus from honey bee samples were

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investigated. Levels of the three most common viruses were quantified to provide baseline data for the viral pathogens in honey bee colonies in Canada. The impact of viruses and their interactions with other parasites and pathogens on winter survival of honey bees was also studied in indoor and outdoor-wintered colonies in Manitoba. Sample collection location was also examined (entrance vs brood nest sampling). Impacts of honey bee nutrition (syrup quality and pollen) on nosema infection level and bee mortality were also examined. The impacts of genetic diversity, and bee genetics on virus type and level in colonies was characterized. A method using RNAi silencing to control deformed wing virus was developed and tested. Start Date: April 1, 2011 End Date: December, 2014 Total Funding for Project: Funding Sources: NSERC-CANPOLIN network, Manitoba Agriculture, ACAFF, Manitoba Beekeepers Association, Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Fund, Boone Hodgkins Wilkinson Trust Fund,

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Project title: Acaricide screening trials Principal Investigator: Name: Rob Currie, PhD

Address: Dept of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Email: Rob_Currie@UManitoba.ca Telephone: 204-474-6020 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Rheal, Lafreniere (MAFRI), Derek Micholsen (U of M), Jaclyn Deonarine (U of M), Lindsay Geisel (U of M) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): This project is designed to assess the efficacy of different acaricide treatments and application methods on spring, summer and fall treatments for the varroa mite. Efficacy of Formic acid (pour-on, MAQS), hopgaurd and Apigaurd (thymol) treatments were investigated using different doses and treatment timings. Start Date: April 1, 2011 End Date: March 30, 2013 Total Funding for Project: $ 140, 450 Funding Sources: Manitoba Beekeepers Association, NSERC-CANPOLIN network, Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council. Project title: Impact of timing of fall varroa population control on colony population dynamics and colony health Principal Investigator: Name: Rob Currie, PhD

Address: Dept of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Email: Rob_Currie@UManitoba.ca Telephone: 204-474-6020 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Graham Parsons (M.Sc. candidate), Geoff Wilson Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The aim of this research is to elucidate the problem of wintering mortality as it relates to fall pest management strategies for beekeepers in the Canadian prairie. The study will further define the host-parasite relationship through the wintering season and help resolve treatment. Start Date: Sept 1, 2011 End Date: June 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project:

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Funding Sources: Saskatchewan Beekeepers Association and Province of Saskatchewan, ACAFF

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Project title: Cultural and chemical treatments to synergize honey bee resistance mechanisms against the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, and the diseases it vectors and minimize winter loss of bees Principal Investigator: Name: Rob Currie, PhD

Address: Dept of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Email: Rob_Currie@UManitoba.ca Telephone: 204-474-6020 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Rasoul Bahreini, Jaclyn Deonarine, Derek Micholsen, Lindsay Geisel, Lisa Babey Stock selected for resistance to varroa in Manitoba was compared with non-selected stock and their relative effectiveness was assessed in laboratory cage assays and in full size colonies. New acaricides were screened for their effectiveness against varroa. Factors that affect the efficacy of grooming behavior were also evaluated. The potential for manipulating ventilation rate in wintering buildings to control varroa mites was studied. Impacts of viruses on colonies were also assessed as part of this project but are reported on above. Abstract or project description (300 words or less): Funding agency/program: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) Total $ Amount: $255,000.00

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Project title: Saskatchewan Beekeepers Adapting Technology to Meet their Needs: Hive Health, Colony Mortality and Productivity Principal Investigator: Name: Graham Parsons, B.Sc., Dipl I.R.M.

Address: Suite 143 27B 20th Street East, Prince Albert SK, S6V 1K5 Email: grayhamparsons@gmail.com Telephone: 1-306-221-4970 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: N/A Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The Project is the Saskatchewan Beekeepers response to decreased colony health which has increased colony mortality caused by pests and parasites. The project focuses on sampling and testing treatment products for Varroa and tracheal mites, as well as Nosema sp. The primary work of the project has been using, testing and adapting existing treatments and their timing and configuration of application. This has included the use of synthetic pesticides of Apistan (fluvalinate) Apivar (amitraz) and Checkmite (coumaphos) as well as organic acids like formic acid in Mite Away Quick Strips, oxalic acid drizzle and fumigation, and potassium salts of hop beta acid in a new product Hopguard. Trials conducted with these products have been carried out to determine their effectiveness against mites, as well as the positive or negative effects on the colonies in which they are used. Associated with the project is extension of the research findings and education of the provinces beekeepers on sampling, monitoring and applying effective and evolving pest control methods and improved overwintering technique. Start Date: April 1, 2010 End Date: March 31, 2013 Total Funding for Project: $515,000 Funding Sources:

Canadian Agriculture Adaptation Program (CAAP) through the Agriculture Council of Saskatchewan (ACS Saskatchewan Beekeepers Association Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission

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Project title: An Investigation of the Potential Long-Term Impact of Clothianidin Seed Treated Canola on Honey Bees, Apis mellifera L.

Principal Investigators: Name: Dr. Cynthia Scott-Dupree

Address: School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph Email: cscottdu@uoguelph.ca Telephone: 519 824 4120 ext. 52477

Name: Dr. Chris Cutler Address: Dept. of Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University – Truro, N.S.

Email: chris.cutler@dal.ca Telephone: 902 896 2471 Abstract or project description (300 words or less): A large scale GLP field study was initiated in southern Ontario in Spring 2012. The objectives of this study are to: 1. Determine the effect of clothianidin seed-treated canola on honey bees (i.e., workers and

sealed brood) in colonies placed in spring canola fields during bloom and in an apiary following the bloom period and monitored until the following spring; and

2. Quantify residue levels of clothianidin and its toxic degradates in hive inputs and products – pollen, nectar, honey, and beeswax – from colonies exposed to clothianidin seed-treated canola fields.

The study involved 10 x 2 ha spring canola fields – 5 fields with canola grown from clothianidin treated seed and 5 controls. Four colonies were placed in the middle of a mowed section in each field. Fields were a minimum of 10 km (6 mi) apart. Colonies were removed to an isolated apiary near Meaford, Ontario following termination of the canola bloom. All colonies are now being prepared for overwintering at the University of Guelph and will be assessed again in Spring 2013. The colony endpoints assessed were: weight gain, honey yield, adult mortality, sealed brood area and adult strength. Residue analysis is presently being conducted on nectar, honey, pollen and beeswax. Start Date: April 1, 2012 End Date: May 1, 2013 Total Funding for Project: $800,000 Funding Sources: Bayer CropScience

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Project title: Genomic studies of complex behaviour: honey bee genes, behaviour, and adaptation Principal Investigator: Name: Amro Zayed, PhD

Address: York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto Ontario, M3J 1P3 Email: zayed@yorku.ca Telephone: 416-736-2100 x 20213 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Clement Kent (Postdoctoral Fellow) Brock Harpur (PhD Student) Shermineh Minaei (MSc Student) Nadia Tsvetkov (MSc Student) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The elaborate behaviours of social insects have fascinated biologists for centuries. A characteristic feature of such societies is division of labour, which is commonly achieved through the behavioural specialization of the worker caste. Honey bees provide a classic example: workers can transition between 'nurse' and 'forager' states characterized by brood-care and gathering pollen/nectar respectively. The Nurse/Forager transition involves changes in physiology and gene expression in the brain, and results in archetypical and reversible behavioural states. Attempts to understand the HOWs and WHYs of behavioural states in the bee have underscored the following fundamental questions: a) How do nature (genes) and nurture (the environment) affect behaviour? b) What is the relationship between behaviour and fitness in natural populations? c) How does behaviour contribute to adaptation? With the recent sequencing of the honey bee's genome, we are now on the cusp of deciphering the genetic mysteries that affect the bee's fascinating social behaviours. My research laboratory utilizes innovative genomic approaches to understand: 1) How genetic variation affects physiology and brain gene expression to regulate behaviour 2) How changes in worker behaviour affect colony fitness 3) How genes controlling behaviour evolve In addition to the advancement of knowledge, my research has several practical applications given both the honey bee's economic and ecological importance as a pollinator, and its use as a model for understanding the genetics of behaviour in other species (including our own). My research will help develop Canadian expertise on an emerging model organism and arguably the most important and fascinating insect known. Start Date: April 1, 2010 End Date: March 30, 2015 Total Funding for Project: $185,000.00 Funding Sources: NSERC – Discovery Grant

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Project title: Honey bee genes, behaviour and adaptation Principal Investigator: Name: Amro Zayed, PhD

Address: York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto Ontario, M3J 1P3 Email: zayed@yorku.ca Telephone: 416-736-2100 x 20213 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Clement Kent (Postdoctoral Fellow) Brock Harpur (PhD Student) Shermineh Minaei (MSc Student) Nadia Tsvetkov (MSc Student) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): The secrets behind the honey bee’s fascinating social behaviour are hidden within its recently sequenced genome. My research laboratory utilizes innovative approaches to understand: 1) How genes (nature) and the environment (nurture) regulate behaviour 2) How changes in worker behaviour affect colony fitness 3) How genes controlling behaviour evolve My research will provide outstanding opportunities to train students on cutting-edge techniques in Genomics and Evolution. Further, my research has relevance to agriculture and human health given both the honey bee’s role as pollinator and its use as a model for understanding the genetic basis of behaviour. Start Date: April 1, 2010 End Date: March 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: $150,000 Funding Sources: Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation’s Early Researcher Award

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Project title: Trade-offs between social and innate immunity and its implication for honey bee breeding and stock improvement Principal Investigator: Name: Amro Zayed, PhD

Address: York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto Ontario, M3J 1P3 Email: zayed@yorku.ca Telephone: 416-736-2100 x 20213 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Names: Brock Harpur (PhD Student) Abstract or project description (300 words or less): Bees have been subjected to a plethora of diseases and pathogens threatening both the livelihood of beekeepers as well as food security. As such, much effort has been placed on breeding more resistant bees by selectively propagating colonies with hygienic traits. Bees can reduce pathogen loads through two mechanisms: social immunity such as hygienic behaviour, and/or individual innate immunity. The relationship between innate immunity and social immunity has yet to be examined in honey bees, but theory suggests that innate immunity is costly and bee colonies may be faced with a tradeoff between investment in innate versus social immunity. We plan to quantify innate immunity and social immunity in a large number of experimental honey bee colonies to test for a correlation between the two traits at the colony level. The relationship between innate immunity and social immunity is of immense relevance to breeding healthier bees: if hygienic behavior positively correlates with innate immune function, then breeding hygienic bees is extremely beneficial as it is expected to also improve innate immunity. However, if social immunity is negatively correlated with innate immunity, then breeding hygienic bees may actually inadvertently select for bees with lower innate immune function. Alternatively, if innate immunity is independent of social immunity, then breeding for both hygienic traits as well as stronger innate immunity can increase overall bee health. Our findings will thus help guide immediate efforts to breed healthier bees. Start Date: May, 2011 End Date: May, 2012 Total Funding for Project: $9,900 Funding Sources: Canadian Bee Research Grant, Canadian Honey Council

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Project title: Next Generation Integrated Pest Management Tools for Beekeeping Principal Investigator: Name: Leonard Foster, PhD

Address: 2125 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Email: foster@chibi.ubc.ca Telephone: 604-822-8311 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Name: Stephen Pernal, Kathy Baylis, Marta Guarna, Rob Currie, Eric Jan, Miriam Bixby, Brian Gross, Asheber Sewalem Abstract (300 words or less): Novel Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches, such as selection and maintenance of honey bee stock resistant to diseases or novel targeted treatments, could reverse most of the recent declines in managed bee populations. This project strategically aligns a multidisciplinary team of researchers towards the goal of developing an economically-justified, practical, integrated and targeted pest management solution for apiculture, resulting in an estimated $200 million in annual benefits to Canadian agriculture based on the expected decrease on colony losses, increased honey production and availability of bees for pollination. Our biological research will focus on developing two distinct tools: a) marker-assisted selection of disease resistant honey bees, and b) double-stranded RNA reagents for simultaneous, RNA interference (RNAi)-based control of the most damaging honey bee pathogens. On the GE3LS side, economists will work with biologists and beekeepers to estimate the economic viability of the new tools mentioned above and to develop a set of best-practices recommendations for beekeepers to integrate the use of these new tools with optimal use of existing tools. We will employ highly multiplexed quantitative proteomics approach known as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and genotyping to implement marker-assisted selection of disease resistant honey bees, building on previous Canadian investments in biomarker discovery work amongst the applicants. At the same time, we will use a combination of directed (MRM) and discovery (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry on a Orbitrap Velos instrument) quantitative proteomic approaches, together with measures of pathogen load and pathology, to develop and evaluate RNAi approaches for controlling pathogens. In both approaches, the ultimate tests of efficacy will occur at the whole colony level, even in commercial apiaries, where on-going, parallel GE3LS work on the economic fundamentals of the beekeeping operations will provide a baseline against which the performance of the developed tools can be evaluated. The specific outcomes of the project will include: 1) demonstrated efficacy of and tools for marker-assisted selection (MAS) in bees by Q9, 2) disease-resistant honey bees with higher economic output than existing stocks by Q12 3) new RNAi tools and best-practices recommendations for the use of RNAi for controlling the most damaging pathogens by Q12 With our biologists and economists having direct input into each others’ research questions,

the ultimate success of the tools developed here will be measured in net economic benefit to beekeepers and agriculture, and will represent the first substantive, industry-wide step towards reversing the steady decline in honey bees. Consumers, crop growers and beekeepers will benefit from improved food security and healthier, more abundant, more effective pollinators. Start Date: April 1, 2011 End Date: March 30, 2014 Total Funding for Project: $5,800,000 Funding Sources: Genome Canada, Genome BC, Genome Alberta, UBC, BC Blueberry Council, Boone-Hodgson-Wilkinson Fund, USDA

APPENDIX - Research Reports

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Project title: Protecting our honey: the immune response in Apis mellifera Principal Investigator: Name: Leonard Foster, PhD

Address: 2125 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Email: foster@chibi.ubc.ca Telephone: 604-822-8311 Co-Investigators (including graduate students): Name: Amanda Van Haga, Mandy Chan Address: 2125 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Email: mandymyc@gmail.com Telephone: 604-822-9022 Abstract (300 words or less): Honeybees are critical components of our agriculture and ecosystems as they are responsible for pollinating numerous flowers, including those of many economically significant fruits, as well as for producing honey that Canadians consume 25,000 t of each year. Unfortunately several pests threaten domesticated honeybees, including Africanized honeybees, Varroa mites and American foulbrood (AFB). On-going efforts are directed at fighting these invasive species but we are starting to lose ground. AFB is a bacterial pathogen that, as the name suggests, attacks the young larvae, or brood, of bees and if left unchecked can kill an entire colony. For decades AFB has been treated with the antibiotic Terramycin but in recent years has developed resistance to this drug. Honeybees have an immune system that is similar to mammals in that it has specialized cells that can recognize, engulf and destroy invading bacteria in a process called phagocytosis. However, AFB appears to have developed a method for avoiding this immune response, allowing them to live contentedly in the bee larvae, feeding off it until it dies. Relative to our knowledge of mammals we know very little about immunity in insects. We propose to apply cell biological methods and an emerging technology called proteomics to study bacterial phagocytosis in insect cells. One aspect of proteomics involves the use of exquisitely sensitive mass spectrometers to track changes in the abundance of hundreds or thousands of proteins within a single sample. This powerful technology has been applied with great success in several model systems before but not in honeybees and only very rarely in insects. We will use mosquito and fruit fly cell cultures as model systems for the immune response and, combined with knowledge gained from similar parallel experiments using isolated bee hemocytes, build a model of phagocytosis in insects. The ultimate goal of these studies will be to better understand the immune system in beneficial insects and particularly how pathogens such as AFB are able to avoid the natural bee immune response. Such knowledge could lead to the design of drug therapies for domestic bee colonies afflicted with AFB. Start Date: April 1, 2011 End Date: March 30, 2016 Total Funding for Project: $240,000 Funding Sources: NSERC

APPENDIX - Research Reports

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Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council - Canadian Pollination Initiative

NSERC-CANPOLIN NEWSLETTER Volume 4 • Issue 2 December 2012

Happy New Year to all,

NSERC-CANPOLIN is entering its final year. What a fantastically productive 4 years we have had! Overall research productivity is accelerating. Over 20 graduate students have graduated. Peer-reviewed publications number 70, and more are in progress. We have participated in national and international workshops and recognized for the excellence of our collaborations. When to-gether at meetings, ideas flow as collaborations evolve. We have excellent relations with busi-ness and not-for-profit sectors. Those contribute funds closely matching the NSERC grant itself. Overall, our inclusive policy to help all-comers has developed into the true network envisioned and described in the original proposal to NSERC.

With success on-going, we need to plan our legacy. What’s next? Our scientific findings must be used in the larger contexts of general awareness of the importance of pollination to Canada and the world, how pollination issues need to be part of economics and planning, and be promoted to business and government.

CANPOLIN is planning a book that could be as influential in Canada as has been the “Status of Pollinators in North America” in the USA. Further, we will call on our scientists for short, non-technical précises for media release. Those already prepared have been well received. Some of us have written for and made presentations to the public and industry. We are doing well at spreading the word. As Jeremy Kerr stated recently, we are in a position to release a tsunami of accomplishments, featuring utility and implications to natural, forest and agricultural ecosystem function and sustainability.

With thoughts of legacy in mind, many of us are casting our eyes to what may happen when CANPOLIN officially concludes. Undoubtedly, many of the partnerships established as a result of CANPOLIN activities will continue to bear fruit. The Arthur Dobbs Institute is a newly incorpo-rated not-for-profit that shares many of the same aims and objectives of CANPOLIN, and may provide an effective launching point for future joint projects. Stay tuned for more details as this exciting initiative evolves.

Happy Holidays

from NSERC-

CANPOLIN

Message from the Director

In this Issue…

Upcoming Courses….2

What’s New …...3

Research Buzz….4

Spotlight on Research...5

Last Words….6

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NSERC-CANPOLIN Newsletter Page 2

The 2013 edition of the International Pollination Biology Course will take place next fall in Lençóis, Brazil (exact dates to TBA). This popular course cover topics ranging from the diversity of pollinators, floral classification, flo-ral advertisement, floral rewards, pollinator foraging, abiotic pollination, evolutionary ecology, breeding sys-tems, and agricultural applications. The course format includes daily lectures and discussions, field excursions, lab activities, and completion of an individual research project. For the third year in a row, CANPOLIN will pro-vide travel support for up to four Network graduate stu-dents to attend the two-week course. Watch for a call for applications in the spring.

In conjunction with our partners at AAFC and Grant Prairie Regional College, CANPOLIN will offer a 5-day course next summer in diagnostic training for graduate students working in the field of bee health. The course, to be held at the new National Bee Diagnostics Centre in Beaverlodge, AB, August 26 – 30, 2013, will provide training in molecular techniques developed by Network researchers to identify and/or quan-tify bee pathogens such as Nosema spp, viruses and Ameri-can Foulbrood. Space will be limited and travel funds will be offered for graduate student participants. Watch for a call for applications in early 2013.

HONEYBEE DIAGNOSTICS

POLLINATION BIOLOGY FIELD COURSE

The BEE Course is an internationally renowned 9-day taxo-nomic workshop offered by the Southwestern Research Sta-tion in Arizona. Instructed by a team of leading taxono-mists, the course covers the classification and identification of more than 60 bee genera of North and Central America. CANPOLIN is pleased to offer travel assistance for up to 3 graduate students from the Network who are accepted into the course. (Note: This course is run independently from CANPOLIN. Students must first be accepted into the course before they can apply for CANPOLIN travel funds.) More in-formation will follow when the details of 2013 course are announced. It is usually held in August each year.

THE “BEE COURSE”

COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Support for these training initiatives is provided through the NSERCStrategic Network Enhancement Initiative (SNEI). 129

What’s New @ CANPOLIN?

Incorporating pollinators into land rehabilitation and restoration activities is an area of rapidly growing interest in ecology. By fostering pollinator populations, degraded sites can regenerate and become self-sustaining faster than by conventional land-scape horticulture. In addition, restoration activities can also play an important role in pollinator conservation – a growing con-cern given the global decline of both managed and wild pollinators. On September 29 & 30, 2012, CANPOLIN hosted a workshop in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to exploring the role of pollination in land rehabilitation. The workshop provided a timely oppor-tunity to assess the current state of knowledge and to identify research priorities. Approximate-ly 30 pollination biologists, conservationists, and restoration ecologists from international aca-demia and non-governmental organizations participated. Following a day of presentations on a range of topics, the group split into three breakout groups, each focused on pollination and res-toration in a different type of environment: agricultural, natural and urban. Each group was charged with identifying key knowledge gaps and, where appropriate, making recommenda-tions to address these gaps. The full workshop report (including abstracts of presentations) can be downloaded from the CANPOLIN website.

NSERC-CANPOLIN Newsletter Page 3

CANPOLIN HOSTS POLLINATION & LAND REHABILITATION WORKSHOP

(Left) The “agro-ecosystem” breakout group at the Pollination and Land Rehabilitation Workshop; (middle) Pollinator monitoring with a malaise trap at a former gravel pit in southwestern Ontario; (right) trap nest for pollinators at the same location (photos by E. Tikhmenev and A. McGraw-Alcock)

Carol Dunk of Barrie, ON, is this year’s recipient of the Pollinator Advocate Award from the National Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC). This award recognizes individuals that have made major contributions to polli-nator protection and conservation and to public education on the im-portance of pollination. The award was presented in October at the annual NAPPC meeting in Washington, DC.

Carol spearheads the “Roadsides” project that encourages the creation of bee habitat along roadsides, and other unused patches of land. The first ``Pollinator Patch`` was planted by Carol in May of 2010. What began as a small rural initiative is now growing into a network of roadside plantings that promises to transform the transportation corridors of Southern Ontar-io. To read more about Carol`s efforts, visit www.roadsides.caroldunk.com.

NAPPC also issues its first Canadian Farmer-Rancher Pollinator Award to Don and Marie Ruzicka of Sunrise Farm in Killam, AB, in recognition of their efforts to develop new shelterbelt designs to optimize the landscape for pollinators.

CANADIANS RECOGNIZED FOR POLLINATOR ADVOCACY & CONSERVATION

Carol Dunk (middle) pictured with her award and NAPPC Executive Director Laurie Davies Adams (left) and Vicki Wojcik, Research Program Manager (right)

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NSERC-CANPOLIN Newsletter Page 4

Research Buzz

New publications and research results are regularly posted on the CANPOLIN website. If your institution does not have access to any of the publications listed, please email canpolin@uoguelph.ca for assistance.

Hamiduzzaman, M.M., A. Sinia, E. Guzman-Novoa and P.H. Goodwin. 2012. Ento-mopathogenic fungi as potential biocontrol agents of the ecto-parasitic mite, Varroa destructor, and their effect on the immune response of honey bees (Apis mellif-era L.). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 111(3): 237-243.

Colla, S., F. Gadallah, L. Richardson, D. Wagner and G. Lawrence. 2012. Assessing declines of North American bumble bees (Bombus spp.) using museum speci-mens. Biodiversity and Conservation, DOI: 10.1007/s10531-012-0383-2

Szabo, N.D., S. R. Colla, D. L. Wagner, L. F. Gall and J.T. Kerr. 2012. Do pathogen spill-over, pesticide use, or habitat loss explain recent North American bumblebee de-clines? Conservation Letters, Early View: DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00234.x

Desai, S.D., Y.-J. Eu, S. Whyard and R.W. Currie. 2012. Reduction in deformed wing virus infection in larval and adult honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) by double-stranded RNA ingestion. Insect Molecular Biology: DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2012.01150.x

Ratti, V., P.G. Kevan and H.J. Eberl. 2012. A mathematical model for population dynamics in honeybee colonies infested with-Varroa destructor and the Acute Bee Paralysis Virus. Canadian Applied Mathematics Quarterly, Pre-print (PDF).

Morse, A., P.G. Kevan, Shipp, L., S. Khosla and B. McGarvey. 2012. The impact of greenhouse tomato floral volatiles on bum-ble bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) pollination. Environmental Entomology 44(4):855-864

AGM ANNOUNCEMENT

The final General Assembly Meeting for CANPOLIN researchers, graduate students and partners will be held in conjunction with the 150th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of Canada, in Guelph, ON.

October 20-23, 2013 MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Many flower flies resemble bees, an act of mimicry that helps protect them from predators. Have you ever wondered why some flies are poorer mimics than others? WG1 researcher Jeff Skevington and colleagues may have found the answer. Penny, H. D., Hassall, C., Skevington, J. H., Abbott, K. R. and T. N. Sherratt. 2012. A comparative analysis of the evo-lution of imperfect mimicry. Nature, 483: 461-464

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NSERC-CANPOLIN Newsletter Page 5

Insect vision has long been a question of interest to ento-mologists. For insects that pollinate, visual cues play an im-portant role in locating flowers and distinguishing between different species of plants. But bee vision is different than human vision, so what does a bee really see when it is foraging for floral resources?

“Unlike humans, bees can see ultraviolet light. Many flowers have UV absorbing pigments that

Spotlight on Research: Through the Eyes of a Pollinator

create a floral pattern visible to bees,” says Jana Vamosi, a plant ecology researcher at the University of Calgary, and member of CANPOLIN Working Group 5. “These patterns can be important in attracting pollinators and guiding them to the nectar source, and may influence other elements of pollinator behaviour as well.”

Vamosi and U of Calgary honours student Jason Rae were interested in the impact of UV patterns on pollinators in type of flower in particular—the yellow monkey flower, Mimulus guttatus. It is a plant that has become an important model species in studies of evolution and ecology.

Using both regular and ultraviolet camera lens, Rae first photographed M. guttatus flowers in the field. The UV lens revealed a marked contrast between the lower petal, which had low UV reflectance, and the side and top petals, which had very high UV reflectance. The duo was surprised to discover that the UV pattern did not overlap with or complement any of the nectar guide markings that were visible to the human eye.

Rae then coated flowers with a light sunscreen spray to see how pollinators would respond if the UV pattern was disrupted. Control flowers received almost 5 times more visits from polli-nators (which were mainly bumble bees in the study sites). The results, say Vamosi, suggest that the contrast provided by the UV pigments in M. guttatus helps pollinators locate the flowers against a sea of background vegetation.

Once a pollinator located a M. guttatus flower, Rae and Vamosi found that UV reflectance continued to impact its behaviour. Bees visiting control flowers almost always oriented them-selves correctly on flower, landing on the lower petal with their heads pointed towards the source of nectar. In contrast, pollinators landing on treatment flowers oriented correctly only half of the time. The rest of the time they landed on the wrong petal or faced the wrong direction.

What happens next may be just as important, at least to M. guttatus flowers hoping to be cross-pollinated. Whether or not a bee oriented successfully on its first visit also had a big impact on how many other monkey flowers it visited in the study quadrat. Vamosi says that bees that stumbled in their first attempt find nectar were 10 times more likely to leave the flower patch.

The results shed interesting light on the role of UV reflectance in the pol-lination ecology of M. guttatus. “Much progress is being made towards mapping the M. guttatus genome, and this could soon open the door to exciting studies that examine how fast plant species can evolve to chang-ing pollinator conditions. An important step can include estimating the number of genes involved in the development of floral traits such as UV reflectance ” says Vamosi.

NSERC-CANPOLIN article #29: Rae, J. M. and J. C. Vamosi. 2012. UV reflectance mediates pollinator visitation in Mimulus guttatus. Plant Species Biology, doi: 10.1111/j.1442-1984.2012.00375.x

Top: CANPOLIN researcher Jana Vamosi; Bottom: M. guttatus in the field and (inset) as seen through a UV lens (photos cour-tesy of J. Vamosi)

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NSERC-CANPOLIN

c/o School of Environmental Sciences University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1

TEL: 519-824-4120 X58022 FAX: 519-837-0442

canpolin@uoguelph.ca • www.uoguelph.ca/canpolin

NSERC-CANPOLIN Newsletter Page 6

CROP POLLINATION BMP GUIDE NOW ONLINE

In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that CANPOLIN mourns the passing of one its graduate students, Sarah Gunderson. Sarah was a MSc student at Trent University under the supervision of Marcel Dorken and Erica Nol. Originally from Thompson, North Dakota, Sarah did her BSc at the University of Minnesota and was planning to pursue a PhD after she finished her MSc next spring. Sarah was driving home for the holidays when her vehicle was struck by another car. Sarah was a much beloved member of her lab and will be remembered for her sense of humour and eagerness to learn. Donations can be made in Sarah’s name to a conservation society of your choosing, or to the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge: USFWS – Sarah F. Gunderson Me-morial (Agassiz NWR, 22996 290th Street NE, Middle River, MN 56737).

Last Words….

CANPOLIN`s new website on best management practices for crop pollination is now live!

Visit www.pollinator.ca/canpolin to learn more about the breeding systems and pollination requirements of 35 of Ontario`s crops, along

with recommendations for using managed pollinators and encouraging native bee populations.

This project was made possible through funding from OMAFRA and the

website is hosted by our partner organization Seeds of Diversity.

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CAPA BYLAWS

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL APICULTURISTS L'ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DE PROFESSIONELS DE L'APICULTURE

BYLAWS Objectives of the Association 1. To promote, develop and maintain good fellowship and cooperation among professional

apiculturists (individuals whose work in government, university, or similar professional capacity involve managed bee species)

2. To create a meeting of administrative and research professionals for the purpose of discussing common interests related to bee management and effectively coordinating, where possible, their activities.

3. To aid in the dissemination of information regarding the beekeeping industry in all its forms. 4. To maintain a consultative rapport with the Canadian Honey Council and other organizations

concerned with managed bee species. 5. To maintain a rapport with professional in apiculture and related fields in other countries. ARTICLE I - Membership I (1): Full membership, with voting privileges is open to personnel employed by Canadian

Federal and Provincial governments, universities or college, and consultants who are employed in the field of apiculture or other related fields as: • federal apiculturist • provincial apiculturist • full-time or part time extension apiculturist • full-time or part time teaching and/or research apiculturist • full-time or part time apiary inspectors • full-time or part time apicultural technicians • full-time or part time professionals in any other capacity whose work involves

managed bee species I (2): Non-voting, associate membership in the association may, upon receipt of application, be

granted to persons who are: • Part or full-time graduate students involved in projects involving managed bee

species • Part-time technicians associated with personnel or projects involving managed bee

species • Part-time disease inspection staff • Representatives of appropriate programs within federal government agencies such as

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency

• The representative of the Canadian Honey council and a representative of any other organizations concerned with managed bee species.

• Members of the American Association of Professional Apiculturists • Members of the Apiary Inspectors of America.

I (3): Membership or associate membership may be extended to persons other than those

defined in Clauses I and II upon ratification by a majority of the membership.

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I (4): The privileges of membership in the Association shall terminate when a current member resigns or retires from the position which established his/her eligibility.

I (5): Membership fees shall be prescribed by the members in general meeting. I (6): Every member shall receive a copy of the bylaws annually. I (7): Privileges of membership shall be restricted to those holding current membership. I (8): The decision to grant life memberships, honorary memberships, and awards of merit shall

be made by a 75% majority of the members present at the general meeting. ARTICLE II - General Meeting II (1): The annual meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the executive. II (2): The secretary shall send all members a notice of a general meeting sixty (60) days in

advance of the date of such a meeting unless a majority of the members waive the sixty day requirement.

II (3): A quorum of a duly called general meeting shall be six (6) members. II (4): Attendance at the Association's meeting shall be limited to members and guests invited

by the executive. II (5): Minutes of the general meeting shall, when printed, be of a confidential nature and

permission to use the information presented must be obtained from the executive. ARTICLE III - Finances III (1): The fiscal year of the Association shall be from January 01 to December 31 of the

calendar year. III (2): All monies and securities held by the Association shall be in the name of the Canadian

Association of Professional Apiculturists. III (3): All money transactions made by the Association shall be made by cheque signed by the

secretary-treasurer and the president. ARTICLE IV - Officers of the Association IV(1): The members shall, at the general meeting, through personal attendance or virtual

attendance via electronic means (e.g. telephone, video conferencing), elect a President, Vice-President and Secretary-Treasurer and appoint the Past-President into the executive. The executive may in turn appoint other officers and committee members as may be required.

IV (2): All officers shall be elected for a two year term of office and no officer shall serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office position.

IV (3): The president shall preside over all meetings of the Association and shall be ex-officio, a member of all committees.

IV (4): The vice-president shall perform the duties of the president in his/her absence or inability to act.

IV (5): The secretary-treasurer shall: 1. Record the minutes of all meetings of the Association and distribute copies of these

minutes to the membership sometime during the sixty (60) days following a meeting, and, 2. Send information and notices of motions and meetings etc. to the membership as required,

and, 3. Collect the annual fees from each member and maintain an up-to-date membership list,

and, 4. Look after all financial matters of the Association and maintain accurate records relating to

same. IV (6): The Past-President shall be that person who has most recently completed a term of

Association President. Should the offices of the President and Vice-President both

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become vacant, the Past-President shall fill the office of President until an election can be held.

ARTICLE V - Amendments of Bylaws V(1): Bylaws may be amended only by a recognized quorum at a general meeting and all

members must be notified by the secretary-treasurer of any proposed changes in the thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting date.

The foregoing are the Bylaws of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists as amended at the annual meeting held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, January 26, 2012.

**********

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CAPA MEMBERSHIP LIST Name & Address Phone/Fax/Email Bahreini, Rasoul (204) 688-2509 (Associate Member) (204) 474-7628 Department of Entomology rasoulbahreini@yahoo.com Animal Science Building, Umbahrei@cc.umanitoba.ca University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Bates, Daniela 604-556-3152 (Associate Member) daniela.bates@gov.bc.ca Apiculture Program B.C.M.A.L 1767 Angus Campbell Road Abbotsford, B.C. V3G 2M3 Bixby, Miriam (604) 228-8488 3950 W10th Avenue miriambixby@gmail.com Vancouver, BC VGR 2G8 Boucher, Claude (418) 643-1632 MAPAQ, DSA, ( 418) 644-6327 télécopieur Complexe scientifique claude.boucher@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca 2700, Einstein F-RC100 Quebec, PQ G1P 3W8 Bunse Jaquie 604-521-4493 (Associate Member) 604-240-7600 cell (505-7151 Edmonds St. bunsebee@telus.net Burnaby BC V3N 4N5 Castillo, Carlos 505 – 9149 Lakeland Drive Grande Prairie, AB T8X 0C2 ccastillo@gprc.ab.ca Clark, Kerry (250) 784-2559 BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (250) 219-2715 cell 4th Floor, 1201 – 103rd Ave 1-877-772-2200 Dawson Creek, B.C. V1G 4J2 (250) 784-2299 kerry.clark@gov.bc.ca Colpitts Fletcher (506) 756-8203 (Associate Member) (506) 461-5645 cell 188 Baseline Rd carnica@nbnet.nb.ca Glenvale NB E4Z 2Z5 Copley, Tanya (514) 467-2470 (Associate Member) (514) 467-2470 McGill University tanya.copley@mail.mcgill.ca 16A St-Hyacinthe Ste-Anne-de Bellevue, QC H9X 1Y2

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Craft, Phil (502) 564-3956 (Associate Member) (502) 564-7852 Retired philcraftbeekeeping@windstream.net Cutler, Chris (902) 896-2471 Dept. of Environmental Sciences chris.cutler@dal.ca Dalhousie University Agricultural College PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Currie, Rob (204) 474-6020 (lab); 474-6022 (office) Dept. of Entomology (204) 474-7628 University of Manitoba rob_currie@umanitoba.ca Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2

Desai, Suresh (204) 474-9439 (Associate Member) (204) 474-7628 12 Dafoe Rd, 214 Animal Sci Bldg beesuresh@gmail.com Department of Entomology University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Foster, Leonard J 604-822-8311 Centre for High-Throughput Biology foster@chiti.ubc.ca Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC Giovenazzo, Pierre (418) 656-2131-8081 Département de biologie, Pavillon Vachon (418) 656-2043 Faculté des sciences et de genie pierre.giovenazzo@bio.ulaval.ca Université Laval (418) 953-4941 Québec, Québec G1K 7P4 Girard, Melissa University Laval (418) 656-2131 ext.8876 2480 Vlbd Hodrelaga G1V 0A6 Melissa.girard.apiculture@hotmail.com Guarna, Marta (604) 822-9022 Centre for High-Throughput Biology martag@msl.ubc.ca 405 – 2015 east Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 Guzman, Ernesto (519) 824-4120 x 53609 School of Environmental Sciences (519) 837-0442 University of Guelph eguzman@uoguelph.ca Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Head, Krista (709) 637-2079 Natural Resources Development Officer (709) 637-2591 Department of Natural Resources kristahead@gov.nl.ca Forestry and Agrifoods Agency Production & Market Development Division Fortis Building, Box 2006 Corner Brook, NL, A2H 6J8

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Halsall, Brent (Associate Member) (613) 447-4479 RR4, 7328 Stone School Rd. Ab.halsall@sympatico.ca Greely, Ontario K4P 1M3 bee8@bell.blackberry.net Hamiduzzaman, Mollah Md. (519) 824-4120 x 54372 School of Environmental Sciences mhamiduz@uoguelph.ca University of Guelph 50 Stone Road E Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 Harpur, Brock A (416) 931-3712 (Associate Member) b.harpur@gmail.com Biology Dept. York University 355 Lumbers Bldg. room 208 4700 Keele street Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Higo, Heather (604)532-6904 (Associate Member) heather.higo@gmail.com 1077 237A St Langley, BC V2Z 2Y2 Hoover, Shelley (587) 220-3775 Lethridge Research Centre Shelley.hoover@gov.ab.ca 100-5401 1 Ave South Lethbridge, AB T0H 0C0 Houle, Emile (418) 286-3353 227 CRSAD (418) 286-3597 120 A Chemin du Roy emile.houle@crsad.qc.ca Deschambault, Quebec G0A 2Y0 Kempers, Melanie (519) 836-3609 Ontario Beekeepers’Association Research Office mel.kempers@ontariobee.com Orchard Park Office Centre 5420 Hwy 6 North Guelph, Ont. N1H 6J2 Krause, Axel (250)608-7397 (Associate Member) a.krause@telus.net BC Ministry of Agriculture/Apiculture Castlegar, British Columbia V1N 4L3 Ibrahim, Abdullah (780)354-5130 AAFC Research Station (780) 354-5150 Box 29 abdullah.ibrahim@agr.gc.ca Beaverlodge, Alberta T0H 0C0 Jager, Brenda (250) 755-5834 (Associate Member) bzbees@telus.net 948 Harrison Way Gabriola Island, BC V0R 1X2 Jordan, Chris (902) 314-0816 (mobile) PEI Department Of Agriculture & Forestry (902) 368-4857 (fax) PO Box 2000, 11 Kent Street cwjordan@gov.pe.ca Charlottetown, PEI C1A 7N8

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Kelly, Paul (519) 836-8897 School of Environmental Sciences (519) 837-0442 University of Guelph pgkelly@uoguelph.ca Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1

Kevan, Peter (519) 824-4120 x52479 Environmental Biology (510) 837-0442 University of Guelph pkevan@uoguelph.ca Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1

Kozak, Paul (519) 826-3595 Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs hipaulkozak@yahoo.com 1 Stone Road West paul.kozak@ontario.ca Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2 Krause, Axel BC Ministry of Agriculture / Apiculture 431 Rosedale Road (250) 608-7397 Castlegar, BC V1N 4L3 a.krause@telus.net Kumpula, Clarke (604) 992-3020 2964 Glassford Rd. Beez4evr@quesnelbc.com Quesnel, BC V2J 6K2 Lacey, Brian (519) 836-3609 123 Elizabeth Street brianwlacey@gmail.com Guelph, ON N1E 2X4 Lafrenière, Rhéal (204) 945-4825 MAFRI (204) 945-4327 204 - 545 University Crescent Rhéal.Lafrenière @gov.mb.ca Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6 Leboeuf, Anne (418) 380-2100 x 3123 MAPAQ anne.leboeuf@mapaq.gouv.qc.ca 200 ch. Ste-Foy, G1R 4Xt6 MacKenzie, Kenna (250) 494-6358 AAFC Research Centre (250) 494-6515 PO Box 5000, 4200 Hwy 97 mackenziek@agr.gc.ca Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 Marceau, Jocelyn (418) 643-7255 MAPAQ (418) 644-8263 edifice 2, RC-22 Jocelyn.Marceau@MAPAQ.GOUV.QC.CA 1685 Bld. Hamel Ouest Quebec, PQ G1N 3Y7 Maund, Christopher (506) 453-3477 Crop Development (506) 453-7978 N.B. Dept. of Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fisheries chris.maund@gnb.ca P.O. Box 6000 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1

Melathopoulos, Adony (780) 354-5130 AAFC Research Station (902) 817-1185 P.O. Box 29 Andony.Melathopoulos@dal.ca Beaverlodge, Alberta T0H 0C0

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Moran, Joanne (902) 679-8998 N.S. Dept. of Agriculture (902) 679-6062 Kentville Agriculture Centre jmoran@gov.ns.ca Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1J5 Morris, Jessica (289) 775-7233 Saskatchewan Beekeepers’ Association jessmorris48@gmail.com PO Box 803 Hague, SK S0K 1X0 Muirhead, Samantha (780) 415-2309; F (780) 422-6096 17507 Fort Rd. Sam.muirhead@gov.ab.ca Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3 Naggar, Yahya Al (306)715-6328 (Associate Member) yehia.elnagar@science.tanta.edu.eg Saskatchewan University, Toxicology center 44 campus drive Saskatchewan Saskatoon, S7N 5B3 Nasr, Medhat (780) 415-2314 Crop Diversification Centre North (780) 422-6096 Agriculture Research & Innovation Division medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development 17507 Fort Road Edmonton, AB, Canada T5Y 6H3 Ostermann, David (204) 945-3861 MAFRI (204) 945-4327 204 - 545 University Crescent david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6

Otis, Gard (519) 824-4170 x52478 School of Environmental Sciences (519) 837-0442 University of Guelph gotis@uoguelph.ca Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1 Parsons, Graham (302) 221-4970 Saskatchewan Beekeepers’ Association grayhamparsons@gmail.com Suite 143, 27B 20th Street East gparsons@saskbeekeepers.com Prince Albert, SK S6V 1K5 Pernal, Stephen (780) 354-5135 AAFC Research Station (780) 354-5150 Box 29 Steve.Pernal@agr.gc.ca Beaverlodge, Alberta T0H 0C0 Plante, Scott (418) 834-5616 1045 de la Prairie Quest (418) 839-1232 St. Jean Chrysostime, PQ G6Z 3G5 plante.s@sympatico.ca Rawn, Devon (519) 803-5567 5420 Hwy 6 North, Suite B47 (519) 836-3609 Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 devanrawn@hotmail.com Scott-Dupree, Cynthia (519) 824-4120 x 52477 School of Environmental Sciences (519) 837-0442 University of Guelph csdupree@uoguelph.ca Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1

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Sproule, Jason (902) 896-2472 Dept. of Environmental Sciences jsproule@nsac.ca Nova Scotia Agricultural College PO Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3 Stromgren, Eric (Associate Member) estromgren@tru.ca Cunningham 260 Department of Biology University of Victoria Box 3020, Station CSC Victoria, BC, V8W 3N5 Tam, Janet (519) 836-3609 Ontario Beekeepers’Association Research Office shrewless@yahoo.com Orchard Park Office Centre 5420 Hwy 6 North Guelph, Ont. N1H 6J2 Thompson, Graham (519) 661-2111 Western University graham.thompson@uwo.ca Department of Biology 1151 Richmond Rd North, Ontario N6A5B7 Thompson, Tom (Associate Member) (780) 415-4530 Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development tom.thompson@gov.ab.ca Agri-Food Laboratories Branch 6909 - 116th Street Edmonton, Alberta T6H 4P2 Tremblay, Nicolas (418) 286-3353 ext 224 Conseiller Provincial en Apiculture (418) 806-1311 cell 120-A Chemin du Roy (418) 286-3597 Deschambault, Québec G0A 1S0 conseilsapi@hotmail.com conseilsapi@crsad.qc.ca Van Alten, Alison (289) 260-7434 (Associate Member) alison_bee@yahoo.com 300 Carlisle Rd. Carlisle, ON, L0R 1H2 Vandervalk, Lynae (780) 964-2144 Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development lynae747@hotmail.com PO Box 425 Granum, AB, T0L 1A0 Van Haga, Amanda (902) 882-6552 University of BC 302-23rd Ave. E vanhagaa@gmail.com Vancouver, BC V5V 1X5 van Westendorp, Paul (604) 556-3129 BC Ministry of Agriculture (604) 556-3030 1767 Angus Campbell Road paul.vanwestendorp@gov.bc.ca Abbotsford, B.C. V3G 2M3 vanwestendorp@telus.net

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vanEngelsdorp, Dennis (717) 772-5225 (Associate Member) (717) 783-3275 State Apiarist (717) 497-1514 Department of Agriculture dennis.vanengelsdorp@gmail,com 2301 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 Williams, Geoffrey (902) 585-1604 Department of Biology (902) 585-1059 24 University Avenue 083951w@acadiau.ca Acadia University Wolfville, NS B4P2R6 Wilson, Geoff (306) 953-2304 Saskatchewan Agriculture (306) 953-2440 Box 3003, 800 Central Avenue geoff.wilson@gov.sk.ca Prince Albert, Saskatchewan S6V 6G1 Winston, Mark (778) 782-7894 Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue (778) 782-7892 Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre winston@sfu.ca 3309 – 515 W. Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. V5B 5K3 Wolf Veiga, Patricia (780) 357-7736 National Bee Diagnostic Centre (780) 933-2454 7 Research Road, PO Box 7778 PWolfVeiga@GPRC.ab.ca Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0 Pamela Young (519) 826-4379 Manager, Foods of Plant Origin Program (519) 546-3754 Food Inspection Branch, OMAF pam.young@ontario.ca 1 Stone Road West SNW Guelph, ON N1G 4Y2 Zayed, Amro (416) 736-2100 x 20213 Department of Biology zayed@yorku.ca York University 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 HONOURARY MEMBERS Beauchesne, François (418) 653-2185 (Honourary Member) 3365 Hertel Rue Sainte-Foy, QC G1X 2J6 Clay, Heather (250) 275-4701 (Honourary Member) Heather@polargold.ca 7925 Wilson-Jackson Rd Vernon BC V1B 3N5 Corner, John (604) 545-2914 (Honourary Member) Site 9, C.10, RR#6 Vernon, B.C. V1T 6Y5

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Dixon, Don (Honourary Member) 204-668-8847 Box 27, Grp. 374, RR# 3, don.dixon@shaw.ca Winnipeg MB R3C 2E7 Gates, John (250) 546-6212 (Honourary Member) johngates@telus.net 1262 Round Lake Rd. Armstrong, B.C. V0E 1B5 Gray, Don (Honourary Member) RR# 1 Portland, Ontario K0G 1V0 Gruszka, John (306) 953-2790 (Honorary Member) (306) 953-2440 john.gruszka@gmail.com McCutcheon, Doug (205) 546-9870 (Honourary Member) (250) 546-0070 2525 Phillips St. Armstrong, B.C. V0E 1B1 McRory, Doug (519) 823-8191 (Honorary Member) dougmcrory@gmail.com 187 Dawn Avenue Guelph, ON N1G 5J9 Nelson, Don (780) 354-8612 (Honourary Member) (780) 354-8171 913 5th Ave dbnelson@telus.net Beaverlodge, Alberta T0H 0C0 Slessor, Keith (604) 462-9059 (Honourary Member) 10105 Rolley Cres Maple Ridge, BC, V2W 1J9 Tuckey, Kenn (780) 440-3420 (Honourary Member) (780) 463-3986 3211-42A Ave kenn.tuckey@shaw.ca Edmonton, AB. T6T 1E3

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CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF

PROFESSIONAL APICULTURISTS L' ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES PROFESSIONELS DE L' APICULTURE

Attendees of the 2012 CAPA AGM

Hôtel Château Laurier Québec City, Québec November 15, 2012

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