Spring 2003 Volume 12, Number 1
ASK THE STEWARD
Q: I used to run across wild honey bee hives in hollow frees
fairly regularly, but not anymore. Where have all the honey bees gone?
A: The honey bee has been hard hit since the late 1970's by
at least a couple of mite insects. The most serious threat to bee populations is
the Varroa mite, which is responsible for wiping out nearly all wild bee
populations in Indiana. The Varroa mite attaches to 'adult or brood stage honey
bees to puncture the body and suck out vital body fluids. The adult Varroa mite
is of small, shiny, reddish brown shield shape, with females approximately 1 by
1.5 millimeters in size, and males are about half the size of females - large
enough to be visible to the naked eye on close inspection- not advised for those
sensitive to bee stings. It is present in every state except Hawaii.
If that's not enough there is also the Traecheal mite, which is an internal
parasite found in the trachea of the honey bee. It also sucks vital body fluids
from host bees. Infested bees and hives can live for some time, but in their
weakened state cannot forage efficiently to produce enough food to sustain a
hive with significant infestations. The tracheal mite was first defected in the
United States in 1984, but was a species of concern for many years. This critter
led to the passage of the 1922 Honey Bee Act prohibiting import of honeybees
into the United States.
There is also a new honey bee threat hitting the hives. It is known as the small
hive beetle and originates from South Africa. It has been found in only one
Indiana hive in Steuben County, but is fairly well established in other States.
The small dark brown to black beetle is attracted to honey and pollen in the
hives where beetle larvae damage the comb and kill the brood when burrowing
through the comb. The small hive beetle is especially dangerous because it
reproduces rapidly and destroys the honey crop as well as the hive.
In the wild there is little one can do to control these pests, but for the hive
keeper an active program of pest management is a must. For more apiary news log
onto www.in.gov/dnr/entomolo/
By the way did you know there are over 10,000 hives in Indiana, which
produced 520,000 pounds of commercial honey in 2002. How sweet it is!
Q: I have been hearing there may be some programs available
to help cover the costs of forestry projects. I have an old field I would like
to plant back to forest. Would this program help me?
A: There are a number of programs now available to
landowners to help restore and improve the health of native forests. Most are
offered through the US Department of Agriculture and administered locally by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Indiana's Department of Natural
Resources. State District Foresters are great sources of information about these
programs, which are generally referred to as 'cost share assistance' programs.
I'll mention four of the more popular programs briefly. The Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP) pays landowners to restore forests on certain croplands and
pastures and provides an annual crop rental payment for 10-15 years. It is one
of the most popular programs and has restored tens of thousands of acres of
forestland in Indiana on retired agriculture fields. This program has a special
open enrollment period through the end of May- so don't delay!
The Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP), Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP), and the Wildlife Habitat incentive Program (WHIP) include
provisions to restore and improve forestlands and wildlife habitat. These
programs typically cover 50-75% of eligible project costs. Program availability
is mixed and for details on current "cost share assistance programs
contact your local Natural Resource Conservation Service off ice
www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/ or your
District Forester www.in.gov/dnr/forestry.
For more information I.D.N R. Division of Forestry402 West Washington,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
or call
317-232-4105