BEEREEPING
&
DEVELOPMENT 46
PROFESSOR FRIEDRICH RUTTNER AS we go to press we are given the sad news that Professor Friedrich Ruttner died on 3 February 1998. Professor Ruttner established the honeybee breeding station at Lunzam-See in Austria. In 1965 he became Professor of Zoology at the University of Frankfurt in Germany, and Director of the Bee Research Institute at Oberursel. This is where he carried out his remarkable scientific work in the fields of genetics, breeding, instrumental
insemination, taxonomy, mating behaviour and bee botany. With Professor Louveaux in France Professor Ruttner founded the scientific journal Apidologie. Professor Ruttner was always concerned that there was efficient communication between bee research and beekeeping practice. He was a good friend of Bees fer Development and has supported our work for many years.
As President of the Standing Commission for Bee Biology Professor Ruttner played an important role in Apimondia. Professor Octaaf van Laere, the current President of the Standing Commission who sent us this information says “Professor Friedrich Ruttner had a life in the service of bees and beekeepers”.
CAMEROON lam writing
to say thank you to Bees for Development for publishing in B&D38 my request for assistance. As a result of this request we received help from Mr André Romet from France, and Mr Brian Durk from the United Kingdom. The picture shows the first class of the basic beekeeping course with Mr Durk (kneeling right) and students. NGWAINMBI SIMON C
BELGIUM Testing sideeffects of ticid pesticides
ee 7
BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS
The Belgian company Biobest in co-operation with the German organisation CRO GAB/IFU (NiefernOschelbronn) is testing the negative effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms used in glasshouses and orchards in Europe. GAB/IFU was the first laboratory in Germany to test the effects of pesticides on honeybees and bumblebees, and Biobest was the first company to develop the commercial mass production of bumblebees for pollination of glasshouse crops.
Tests will be performed on several species, including the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, on all relevant crops throughout Benelux, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Guido Sterk, Field Development and Registration
Manager, Biobest
BOSNIA Peter Rains, a retired beekeeper from the United Kingdom recently travelled to Bosnia to meet beekeepers, the Agriculture Minister and directors of companies associated with the honey trade. He returned with a kilo of Bosnian honey for Gales who are delighted with its quality. Mr Rains was instrumental in the deal established between the multinational company Gales and their parent company Nestlé and the Bosnian beekeepers. The beekeepers will receive payment for their honey, partly cash and partly greatly needed equipment- hives, tools and treatment for Varroa. It is estimated that a third of Bosnia’s 1500 hives were destroyed in the war. Source: Independent on Sunday,
11
January 1998
BRAZIL Honey of Cane The use that bees make of the liquid that springs from cut sugar canes allows the collection of a product improperly called ‘can honey’. Although it is not classified as honey, its chemical composition in terms of sugar is similar to some ‘real’ honeys elaborated by bees from the nectar of flowers. Chemical analysis of the ‘cane honey’ showed the following results:
Monosaccharides: the ‘cane honey’ always presents more glucose than floral honeys. Fructose levels are similar to those in floral honeys.
Disaccharides: maltose level is always higher in the ‘cane honey’. Sucrose is present in similar amounts to that found in floral honeys. Minerals: the ‘cane honey’ presents ash contents of 5-10 times more than in floral honeys. The main mineral components are
magnesium, manganese and potassium.
Therefore ‘cane honey’ is a good source of energy and can be used in the manufacture o breads, candies, crackers and any products made with sugar. Roberto Machado de Moraes, Instituto de Tecnologia de
Alimentos
INDIA Easy Way with Apis Dorsata In India Apis dorsata honeybee colonies are seen on tall trees, mountain cliffs in the forest, and high buildings in cities. Every year at the same time colonies come and settle on the same places - the marks from wax comb left by the
bees during the previous season.
One Apis dorsata honeybee colony was transferred by taking the bees and brood comb from a Tamarindus indica tree. A bamboo clip was fixed on the comb below the honey area where the brood starts. The part of the comb filled with pollen was not disturbed. Light smoke was used to calm the bees.
TWELVE
A Bees for Development publication
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