LETTERS TO THE
IBRA
EDITOR If you want to comment on anything you have read in the Newsletter then write to Dr Nicola Bradbear at the address given below Some questions and comments on the ‘Maputo Hive’ (p.5) and the ‘Barrel Hive’ (p.9) in Newsletter 6.
‘Maputo Hive’
African honeybees are notorious for
rapid development of colonies and for their strong swarming impulse. I wonder how a colony in such a narrow space could be happy and profitable? We are aiming at the development and extension of adequate beekeeping techniques and methods in rural areas. Should we therefore not try by all means to concentrate on the cheapest or freely usable materials? If we follow this way we may encourage beekeepers to become more self-sufficient and self-confident.
‘Barrel Hive’ This type of top-bar hive seems to work
successfully under moderate climatical conditions. However, it seems to be problematic to transfer the findings to tropical countries. During the late seventies we had some very frustrating experiences with barrel hives in the Kalahari of Botswana, apparently due to insulation and internal climatic problems. Colonies absconded regularly, even after coating the hive with cow dung/clay layers or sacking material, and also after it was made possible to drain condensed water through holes in the hive bottom. Later I learnt that similar trials with barrels and plastic troughs in Kenya’s Ngong area failed too, because of insulation difficulties. On the other hand we had very encouraging results with interim cardboard box hives (this goes well with the
findings by Professor Ademilson Espencer Egea Soares, Newsletter 6, p.3!). This led to the development of the
more durable ‘Tshwaragano’ Hive: two cardboard boxes tied together, and then coated with layers of cow dung/clay mixture. To create an even more durable and cheap top-bar hive a Motswana beekeeper developed the ‘Noah’s Hive’, a rec-
tangular, long basket of straight sticks tied together with wire, and then coated with a cow/dung/clay layer. B. Clauss.
erratum erratum tum erratum.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
New leaflets available from
etra-
erratum
Newsletter No.6, March 1985, page 6, column 2. Item 3 should have read: Carry the hive away towards a different direction not in the same flight-runway and place it on a temporary platform erected about forty metres away from the nearest hive in the apiary; S. Adjare
Information leaflet 1:
Information available from the International Bee Research Association. 6 pp. This leaflet lists published information which is available from IBRA free of charge to individuals and Institutes in developing countries, and also gives details of pub-
lications on tropical beekeeping which can be purchased from
IBRA.
Information leaflet 2: The Management of Africanized honeybees by Dr Nicola Bradbear and Dr David De Jong. 4 pp. This illustrated leaflet is intended for beekeepers in South and Central America who are having to adapt their methods of beekeeping to successfully manage Africanized bees. The leaflet gives practical guidance on clothing and equipment, apiary siting, colony management and
changing queens. Leaflet 2 is available in English and Spanish. The above leaflets have been prepared under grant aid from the Overseas Development Administration, UK, and are available free of charge to beekeepers in developing countries.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY—NAIROBI, KENYA The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), on behalf of the Council of International Congresses of Entomology, is hosting a “Conference on Tropical Entomology” in Nairobi from 31 August to 5 September, 1986. The Scientific Programme will include sessions covering the following areas with emphasis on tropical entomology: Taxonomy, morphology and evolution, Developmental biology and genetics, Integrated pest and vector management methods (including chemical control), Behaviour and physiology, Ecology and population dynamics, Agricultural entomology, Vector biology, Information, education and training. For further information, contact: Dr. M. F. B. Chaudhury, Conference Secretary General, PO Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya.
WORKSHOP AND POSTGRADUATE EXOTIC BEES TOUR IN THAILAND
October 18-22, 1985, organized by VISTA, Scieuce Society of Thailand A tour has been arranged for those who wish to visit Thailand after the 30th International Apicultural Congress in Japan this October. The tour includes visits to beekeeping sites and sight-seeing activities. The cost is US$700 per person including full board for 4 days programme. Details from the Secretariat, Bee Biology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10500, Thailand. Telex: 82900
SCREDIT TH
.
ADVANCE NOTICE
FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APICULTURE IN TROPICAL CLIMATES The INTERNATIONAL BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION is pleased to announce that the GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT has agreed to host the 4th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON APICULTURE IN TROPICAL CLIMATES. DR. YOUSSEF A. WALLI, MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY has invited IBRA to convene this Conference in CAIRO in MARCH 1988. The President of the Conference will be DR ABDEL RAHIM SHEHATA, Director of the Agricultural Research Centre Cairo, and the Conference Chairmen will be DR. AHMED AWADALLAH, Head of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Cairo, and MR. TECWYN JONES, Deputy Director, Tropical Development and Research Institute, London. DR. M. M.
MAZEED
of the Bee Section of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Cairo, will be Conference Secretary. The Conference will be organised by a local committee of representatives from the Ministry and a number of University Departments in Egypt, and by a Steering Committee of international specialists including, from IBRA, DR MARGARET ADEY Director, and DR NICOLA BRADBEAR, Information Officer for Tropical Apiculture. Further information on dates, programmes and organisational matters will be issued as soon as this is available. This Newsletter is edited by Dr Nicola Bradbear, Information Officer for Tropical Apiculture at the International Bee Research Association (IBRA), and is produced under funding from the Overseas Development Administration, UK. There are two editions of the News/etter each year and these are sent, free of charge, to those in developing countries who are involved with beekeeping. Views expressed in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of the International Bee Research Association. Contributions, letters and news of forthcoming events are welccmed; these may be edited for reasons of space and clarity. Many thanks to everyone who has sent information and articles; some items have had to be held over for the next edition. If you have any enquiries about beekeeping and the information you need is not available locally, then write to me here at IBRA and will try to help you. |
Atalu Bradhear
international Bee Research Association, Hill House, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SLO ONR, UK.
