6.
small, tropical, species of bee~eaters spend their whole lives in a single area, and establish their own territory there. They like to live near a good water supply, and where there are suitable nesting sites, but there is no evidence that a territory is chosen especially to be ncar a bees! nest, Other species of bee-eater are migratory and will feed wherever there is an Flocks of the European Bee-eater and of Rainbowbirds have been opportunity. known to stop at apiaries on their migration, and it is these migrating birds which tend to be notic.u by beekeepers. Some
The beneficial effect of bee-eatcrs is due to the mumber of bee predators For exauiple, a study in Kazakhwhich they take in addition to Apis species. stan (USSR) has shown that the presence of bee-eaters is advantageous to apiculture and .riculture because of the number of hornets which they eat. Another study hag shown that when migratory birds do fced at apiaries in the autumn, they tend to take older bees which have a higher winter death rate than younger bees. Bees themselves take effective action by remaining in the hive when a flock of bee-eaters arrives, and since the birds are migrating, they will soon be moving out of the area.
In other studies bee-eaters have been found valuable because they eat large numbers of locusts, and also insect pests on unharvested cotton; they are probably similarly involved in many agricultural interests. So if you have bee-caters visiting your apiary, do not harm them, because the evidence shows that these birds are beneficial for agriculture and even for bees. Observing their beauty and admiring their agility is, of course,
highly beneficial for
humans as
well.
Honeybee predation by Bee-eaters, Bee World, 64, No. 2, 65-76.
with economic considcrations.
Ci.
Pry.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
29th intcrnat ronal
bHeekeeping Vongress
Budapest, Hungary, 25-31 August 1983
on Apiculture in Tropical Climates. Nairobi, from The Conference Secretariat, Ministry of Information 184. Livestock Development, Beekeeping Section, P.O. Box 68228, Kenya, or from IB:A.
Third International Conference 5-9 November
Proposed Conference on Beekeeping in Asia
A conference is being planned for early 1984 at Bindunawewa, Sri Lanka. The aim is to promote beekeeping and the apicultural industry in Asia. It will be attended by scientists, beekeepers, educators and administrators. Funds may be available to help a limited number of delegates frem countries in Asia. For further information write to: Dr. Peter G. Kevan, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada NIG 2wWl. DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT
ADDRESS?
If your address has changed please let me know. you are receiving more than one newsletter, or if involves bees or apiculture, please inform me, as best possible use is made of the funds available
Also, if for
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your work no longer we are concerned that the to us.
Nicola Bradbear Information Officer for Tropical Apiculture
