Les Evans
05-02-2006, 02:00 PM
Hi,
I read this article here on this site...
http://beesource.com/news/article/fungus.htm
I was wondering what all of your thoughts were on this?
Is this stuff available to us yet or will it be? I am thinking it isn't or if it is it is extremely pricey which would explain why nobody mentions it.
The article is several years old so I am wondering about it...
Michael Bush
05-02-2006, 02:51 PM
Search on "Metarhizium anisopliae" on these forums. It's been discussed often.
magnet-man
05-02-2006, 08:10 PM
It turned out to be a dud. I have tried several times to speak to Dr. Jones, but have been unsuccessful. Fortunately I know a researcher that has talked to Dr. Jones, so this is second hand information. It turns out to be much harder to get the fungus to produce spores in the hive than first thought. So mark it down to something that will work in a lab but not in the field.
Personally I would rather deal with varroa than small hive beetles.
MB, "everything works if you let it" is not true!
Metarhizium anisopliae is a case in point. ;)
[ May 02, 2006, 09:15 PM: Message edited by: magnet-man ]
Les Evans
05-02-2006, 11:13 PM
Thanks magnet-man.
Sorry for not searching before asking Michael.
Dave W
05-03-2006, 10:04 AM
Les Evans . . .
FUNGAL PATHOGENS - (Hirsutella and Metarhizium anisopliae) resulted in satisfactory control of mite populations [ABJ, Oct 03, p817]. The future of fungal control seems uncertain [BC, 3/06, p38].
Metarhizium anisopliae - Since 2000, USDA at Weslaco, TX, (research by Dr. Lambert Kanga [BC, 3/05, p28]) has been looking for a disease-causing agent, or pathogen, to stop Varroa mites. They found a strain of the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, to be highly pathogenic to Varroa mites (also kills termites).
Plastic strips are coated w/ dry fungal spores and placed in hive. Bees chew up strips and spread spores throughout colony, exposing all bees within 5 to 10 minutes. Most of the mites die within 3 to 5 days. USDA tests show Metarhizium is as effective as fluvalinate, even 42 days after application. USDA is now (Oct 2004) fine-tuning the strategy for transfer to producers [http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct04/bees1004.htm - Accessed 10/22/04, ABJ, 12/04, p924]. ARS is currently (Mar 2005) working w/ a fungus-producing company to fine tune the technology [BC, 3/05, p28].
Hirsutella thompsonii - Bill Ruzicka, a bee breeder in British Columbia, Canada, has patented the use of this fungus to control Varroa. A formic acid treatment he developed is now used in Canada, USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Spain [ABJ, 12/04, p897].
Les, if you search and find something new, please let us know. thanx.