Apiculture

Science programme: Biosecurity

Apiculture is the management and study of honey bees. The two main areas of research focus on honey bee pests and diseases and pollination.

Honey bee pollination is an integral part of New Zealand ’s environment and in recent years, with the introduction of varroa mites to New Zealand , it has become increasingly important to ensure that honey bees remain a viable source of pollination.

The apicultural team comprises two scientists, a research associate and a technician/apiary manager with collective experience in honey bee pathology diagnosis, natural and artificial crop pollination, honey bee eradication, selective breeding, bioremediation, honey bee attractants and repellents, and chemical registrations.

The first programme is to develop technologies for the control of varroa to ensure that enough insect pollinators remain in New Zealand ’s environment for New Zealand to be able to meet its economic and social goals. The key outcomes include:

• Honey bee stock that is at least partially resistant to varroa.
• Recommendations for the use of the major synthetic pyrethroid control products that will reduce rates and consequently costs, residues, and resistance.
• Improved methods for using organic products without the current variation in effectiveness.
• Hive management practices to increase the effectiveness of varroa control.
• Economic thresholds for treatment to reduce the current overuse of chemicals.
• Knowledge of the factors causing Parasitic Mite Syndrome and possible leads removing the symptoms.
• Improved understanding of how varroa invades colonies.

Within the area of pollination we are conducting the following research:

• Artificial pollination of a range of fruit and seed crops
• Clover pollination
• Pollination of green and gold kiwifruit

As representative examples of our research, we have:

• Developed a method to keep areas varroa free.
• Developed a systems to improve pollination of kiwifruit – Using sugar syrup feeding.
• Assisted the development of the Pest Management Strategy to eradicate varroa (See an example of our brochure).
• Registered products for Varroa control.

For a better understanding of our works, we recommend the following documents:

• Goodwin, R.M., Taylor, M.A., 2003. Diagnosis of Common Honey Bee Brood Diseases and Parasitic Mite Syndrome. Produced under control for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry by Dr Mark Goodwin and Michelle Taylor of the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd
• Taylor, M.A., Goodwin, R.M. 2002. Control of varroa: A video for New Zealand Beekeepers. Produced under control for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry by Michelle Taylor and Dr Mark Goodwin of the Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd and Declan O’Neil of Black Rock Films.
• Goodwin, R.M. and C. Van Eaton. 2001. Control of varroa:  A guide for New Zealand beekeepers. Published by New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Astra print, Wellington .
• Goodwin, R.M. and C. Van Eaton. 1999. Elimination of American Foulbrood without the use of drugs. Published by the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand . Advance Print, Tauranga.

Our capabilities cover the following fields:

Consultancies:

• Solomon Islands , Fiji– Training laboratory staff
• Chile , Italy , Australia – Training for disease control and pollination

Honey bee assessments:

Pesticide testing:

Honey bee queens:

Extension includes seminars, workshops, technical articles, videos and manuals:

Regulatory activities: