LETTERS TO THE
EDITOR
A top-bar hive of sheet plastic have never seen a sheet plastic hive in use before, though it seems likely that someone has thought of it already. would be very interested to hear from anyone who has ever seen this idea before. I
Who can read the language of
Apis cerana?
Working with Asian honeybees, have found that the language of Apis cerana is different from the language of Apis mellifera. Since I did not find any specific literature on this subject would like to ask the readers of this Newsletter. Who has done any research on the language and communication within an A. cerana colony? Who can explain the specific reactions of A. cerana such as: a) the dance communication b) the reaction to human proximity or smoke c) the strange “queen” sound d) the collective vibration when a colony is queenless e) the signs of preparing for swarming or absconding? Learning to understand the language of bees is very important for every bee-
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keeper. Please, help us with the interpretation!
B Svensson, Bikonsult HB, Sala, Sweden.
Feira
A simple hive can be made very cheaply and easily using only top-bars and a sheet plastic hive body. Hives of this type have been used successfully to keep bees and produce honey in Papua New Guinea.
BEEKEEPING EXPERT NEEDED NORTH YEMEN
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CIIR, a London based development agency, is seeking to recruit an experienced beekeeper to develop a beekeeping project amongst rural communities. The project is part of a larger development scheme in North Yemen's central highland region, funded internationally and nationally, designed to increase
APT,
e4 NGo perca esta oportunidode de conhecer 0s apicultores do regiGo e seus produtos Na Praga Frei Barouna (FORUM VELHO! Junto G fea de aresanato e da barganha coraporacdo.
MADEIRERA SICLAU
An example from Brazil of effective honey marketing. This poster describes a Honey
Fair held twice monthly - NAO PERCA! — NOT TO BE MISSED!
CONSULTANTS
A top-bar hive of sheet plastic
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agricultural productivity. The beekeeper will encourage small hold farmers and other rural people to participate in the beekeeping project and organise beekeeping extension messages for them, eg how to divide a colony, hive a swarm, inspect a colony, harvest honey and beeswax, uses of
Two parallel horizontal bamboo rails support the split bamboo top-bars and the long piece of sheet plastic which surrounds the combs underneath and folds over the top. A sturdy grade of plastic is used, such as that used locally for drying coffee. in Papua New Guinea topbars of 35cm width give the correct bee-space between combs_ when pushed together. Bamboo dowels in the top-bars give the combs structural support. End walls are made of bamboo slats or omitted entirely. Honey is harvested by squeezing combs cut from the top-bars. Hives of this type have been used for a year and a half with no apparent problems with insulation, overheating or absconding. They are located in a wooded tropical highland valley of 1000 m elevation with moderate average temperatures and a distinct wet/dry season. Perhaps this design could not be used in areas with harsher environmental conditions such as more extreme temperatures, higher humidity, and predatory ants. However, beekeepers may be interested in trying this type of hive for its low cost and ease of construction. Robert A Spencer, Peace Corps, POB 1790, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea. beeswax. She/he will also train a local counterpart in the theoretical and practical skills of beekeeping. Applicants should have a qualification in beekeeping and honey production and a minimum of two years experience. Applicants without a qualification but with considerable experience are welcomed. CIIR provides a two year contract, a salary adequate for a single person, housing, a return flight, insurance, various allowances, extensive briefings, language training, etc.
For further details and an application form please send a large stamped addressed envelope and your CV to CIIR Overseas Programme, 22 Coleman Fields, London N1 7AF, UK. Quote Ref-
erence: BK/TB/1.
BEEKEEPING EXPERTS
The International Bee Research Association is building up a Register of apicultural researchers, beekeeping experts and specialists in related subjects eg: bee botany, pollination, queen rearing, bee farm management, lecturers, extension workers, honeybee pests and diseases, bee products (honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom) as well as the trade in bees, other beekeeping equipment and honeybee products. It is planned to draw on this list of specialists for prospective posts, which will be salaried, on IBRA projects both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Candidates who wish to be included in this register of experienced staff available to assist IBRA, either at headquarters or on overseas projects, are invited to write to The Director of IBRA, enclosing a current curriculum vitae outlining their qualifications and experience. An indication of prospective availability and preferred subjects/geographical areas would be appreciated.
ORIGINALS OF DEGREE CERTIFICATES AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE SENT
