Status of Metarhizium Anisopliaeopliae fungus

[magnet-man]

Does anyone know what the status of this product coming to market? I have not read anything new since October of last year.

[Bob Harrison]

Rumors are the product did not work as well as advertised and they went back to the drawing board.

[Phoenix]

A rumor is a piece of purportedly true information that is circulated without substantiating information.

[Bob Harrison]

OK. I will say I have been told directly by a USDA-ARS rmployee that the fungus has problems and possibly will NEVER come to market but I never give out names of my contacts at the USDA_ARS or I would never get information again.

So now you see why I wrote the first post and now all you still know is a well founded rumor but a rumor coming from the lab and not a beekeeper.

In other words as explained to me the fungus worked great in theory but poorly in testing. The lab (I was told ) is troubled by the results.

[Michael Bush]

I'm speculating, of course, but often results can't be duplicated because some peculiar combination of environment, temperature, humidity, weather, timing etc. were all just perfect to cause the first results and the exact circumstances of that first test are hard to duplicate precisely. But, of course, if they are hard to duplicate then it's not very promising as a solution.

[HarryVanderpool]

Well, my rumor is quite different; and I will mention names.
In a recent telephone conversation, Dr. Lambert Kanga not only expressed confidence, but enthusiasim over the results.
They had just witnessed secondary effects prior to our conversation. In a nutshell, after the initial knockdown, new waves of varroa were affected from the initial inoculation.
You are all invited to the Northwest Corner Beekeepers Fall Conference that will be held on October 27, 28, &29 at the Agate Beach Inn in Newport Oregon. Dr. Kanga will be a speaker there.

[The Honey House]

[jalal]

Is that conference costly to get into?

[HarryVanderpool]

Hi Jalal.
$75.00 for admission.
Room rates are great!
As far as costly; I remember my first conference here.
The first session was Dr. Diana Sammataro disecting bees for trecheal mites while it was projected on the screen.
THEN she set a couple of dozen microscopes around the room and everyone got to try their hand as she watched over.
That first session on the first day was worth the cost of admission.
:cool:

[Bob Harrison]

Harry,
Hope you are right! I come from the show me state. I need to see the stuff work. I want some hard data not a bunch of hype! When applied and amount of drop! Still waiting!

Nicotine drops varroa but will not control varroa.

Citrus leaves will drop varroa but will not control varroa.

From Dr. Kanga's own words.

"In a *broodless* colony ,one application of 3 grams *could* protect the hive from 21-42 days."


"Control depends on conditions inside the hive and the LEVEL OF INFESTATION"

"Judicious choice of time of application is *VERY IMPORTANT"

Source of the above: The Speedy Bee (Sept. 2004)

Maybe I should attend and ask politely the tough questions of Dr. Kanga like:
What is the efficacy?

A lifetime of dealing with these guys makes me believe low or else they would be shouting from the rooftops! The rumor I heard said very low.
You don't need a top security clearance to work at a bee lab. I have never had a whole lot of trouble getting general information about a new product.

Hope somebody will ask the tough questions at the meeting.Just raise your hand Harry and ask Dr. Kanga what the efficacy has been so far and how effective the fungus has been when used on a hive with a high infestation of varroa showing signs of PMS. Please post what he says. Thanks in advance.

[HarryVanderpool]

Mr, Harrison; I couldn't have said it better!
I think I understand the hype period during the development stage somewhat.
When you are married to a project and see results, even small results, It really causes excitement.
I have worked in R & D for many years (non beekeeping) and see that phase come and go.
Back to the fungus; they are past that point now.
The article that you reference was probably WRITTEN in early 2004.
They have learned a lot since then, hopefully.
Lets keep our eye on it and stay in touch.
Also, my 2 cent opinion:
This is not a matter of IF, it is a matter of when. They will figure it out.
:cool:

[Bob Harrison]

Please give us a report on what Dr. Kanga says at the meeting if possible. I always try to keep an open mind.