2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey. Apiary Program

Transcription

1 2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey Apiary Program

2 Introduction The beekeeping industry in Ontario is not static. The number of colonies and the volume of honey produced varies from year to year. INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. Ontario s beekeeping industry is one of the most diverse in Canada. In addition to providing bees to the fruit and vegetable sector for pollination, Ontario beekeepers are involved in honey production for a large domestic market, the production and sales of queens and nucleus colonies to satisfy an ever increasing demand for honey bees. In recent years, managed honey bee colonies have experienced variable overwinter mortality across many jurisdictions in both Canada and the United States. Since 2010, overwinter honey bee mortality in Ontario has been estimated to be as low as 12 per cent during the winter of and as high as 58 per cent during the winter of During the winter of , overwinter mortality in Ontario was estimated to be 18 per cent followed by and estimated 27 per cent during the winter of The number of colonies and the volume of honey produced in Ontario varies from year to year and is influenced by weather, management practices, pests, diseases and environmental stressors. The number of colonies operated by beekeepers also fluctuates throughout the year. After a decrease in colony numbers over the winter months, a beekeeper can build colony numbers during the summer months by splitting larger, healthy colonies into smaller nucleus colonies. As of December 31, 2016, Ontario beekeepers had registered 97,342 colonies, which represents the number of registered colonies that were alive prior to the start of the winter. Methodology INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) national winter loss survey committee establishes the core questions that are asked by the provinces each year to estimate honey bee colony mortality during the winter. The CAPA coordinates how the overall winter loss is reported to ensure consistency across the provinces and survey years. For the purpose of the national report, the overwinter mortality in Ontario is calculated using responses from commercial beekeepers, those operating 50 or more colonies. Since 2007, CAPA has compiled data provided by each province, published an annual report on national honey bee colony losses, and provided an ongoing picture of the general health of apiculture in Canada. Table 1. Number of commercial and small-scale beekeepers, by region, who responded to the 2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey. Beekeepers Beekeepers Beekeeping Region # of % of # of % of Respondents Respondents Respondents Respondents Central East North South Southwest Total

3 Methodology OMAFRA s Apiary Program conducts an annual survey of Ontario beekeepers to estimate overwinter honey bee mortality. During the spring of 2017, OMAFRA s Apiary Program surveyed Ontario beekeepers to estimate honey bee colony mortality during the winter of The survey was distributed to 179 registered commercial beekeepers (defined as operating 50 or more colonies) and 400 randomly selected small-scale beekeepers (defined as operating 49 or fewer colonies). Beekeepers had the option of responding electronically via an online survey, a hard-copy survey or by phone. The survey responses represent a convenience sample, and the information provided is self-reported and voluntary. The beekeepers responses are self-reported and are not verified by OMAFRA or any other independent body. Using the number of colonies reported by beekeepers (Table 2), the overall provincial overwinter mortality is calculated using the following formula: INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. For the purpose of this survey, a honey bee colony is defined as a full-sized honey bee colony either in a single or double brood chamber, not including nucleus colonies (splits). A commercially viable colony is defined by CAPA as a colony that survived the winter and has a minimum of four frames with 75 per cent of the comb area covered with bees on both sides in a standard 10-frame hive. Dead colonies are included in the count of non-viable colonies. INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. This report includes responses provided by all beekeepers, both commercial and small-scale, collected through the 2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey. Data from commercial and small-scale beekeepers in Ontario were analyzed separately. Responses were received from 98 commercial beekeepers and 133 small-scale beekeepers, which represents 40 per cent of beekeepers who received the survey. By beekeeper type, responses were received from 55 per cent of commercial beekeepers, representing 44,183 colonies, and 33 per cent of small-scale beekeepers, representing 1,098 colonies (Table 2). Combined, the responses represent 46.5 per cent of the total number of colonies registered in Ontario as of December 31, Although not reported to CAPA for inclusion in the national report on overwinter honey bee losses, responses from small-scale beekeepers will provide further insight into Ontario s beekeeping industry. Table 2. The number of full sized honey bee colonies put into winter in the fall of 2016, the number of viable overwintered colonies and the number of non-viable colonies as of May 15, 2017 based on beekeeper responses to the 2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey. Beekeeper Type Full sized colonies overwintered in fall 2016 Viable overwintered colonies as of May 15, 2017 Non-viable colonies as of May 15, 2017 Overwinter Mortality (%) 44,183 32,294 11, ,

4 Results The information in this report is a summary of the responses gathered from beekeepers who responded to the winter loss survey. This information has not been verified by OMAFRA or any other independent body. INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. Overwinter Honey Bee Mortality Registered commercial and small-scale beekeepers in Ontario reported an approximate 27 per cent and 29 per cent overwinter mortality, respectively, during the winter of (Table 2). In Canada, 15 per cent is the maximum level of overwinter mortality considered to be acceptable and sustainable by the apiculture industry (Furgala and McCutcheon, 1992; CAPA, 2007 to 2016). The beekeeping industry has been divided into five distinct regions based on geography, climate and weather patterns (Fig. 1). The survey was sent to beekeepers across the province and responses were received from all five beekeeping regions. Some beekeeping regions have greater beekeeping activity than others as shown when comparing the number of beekeepers in the northern versus the southern parts of the province. The majority of commercial beekeepers who responded to the survey were from the central and south beekeeping regions. These areas are known to have the greatest beekeeping activity. Responses from small-scale beekeeping operations were primarily from the Central, East and South beekeeping regions. The estimated overwinter honey bee mortality and the number of respondents varied by beekeeping region (Table 3). beekeepers reported the greatest losses in the South region while smallscale beekeepers reported the highest losses in the East region. Overall, mortality during the winter differed by approximately two per cent between commercial and small-scale beekeepers. When beekeepers were grouped by operation size (number of colonies managed) the honey bee mortality during the winter of ranged from 15.4 to 35.1 per cent (Table 4). Beekeepers operating 501 to 1000 colonies reported fewer honey bee colony losses than other beekeepers (15.4 per cent). North: Manitoulin, Parry Sound, Nipissing, Sudbury, Algoma, Temiskaming, Cochrane, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora counties. East: Hastings, Renfrew, Lennox & Addington, Prince Edward, Frontenac, Leeds & Grenville, Lanark, Ottawa, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, and Prescott & Russell counties. Central: Muskoka, Bruce, Grey, Simcoe, Peel, York, Toronto, Durham, Dufferin, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough, and Northumberland counties. South: Wellington, Huron, Perth, Oxford, Norfolk, Brant, Waterloo, Hamilton, Halton, Haldimand, and Niagara counties. Southwest: Middlesex, Elgin, Lambton, Chatham-Kent, and Essex counties. Figure 1. Ontario beekeeping regions: North (brown), East (orange), Central (yellow), South (red) and Southwest (green). 4

5 Results The survey was sent to beekeepers across the province and responses were received from all beekeeping regions. Similar to previous years, the number of respondents in the 501 to 1000 colonies category was low and this apparent reduction in mortality for this group could be due to the small sample size. The greatest number of survey respondents had beekeeping operations with fewer than 10 colonies. As in previous years, operations with fewer than 10 colonies reported the greatest overwinter honey bee mortality (35 per cent). This group may comprise new beekeepers and persons who keep bees as a hobby. Therefore, this group may not have as much experience as commercial beekeepers which could contribute to the increased overwinter mortality reported. Beekeepers were asked to report what they believed were the main factors contributing to overwinter honey bee mortality. These opinions may be based on observable symptoms, beekeeper experience and judgment, or speculation. Poor queens, starvation and weak colonies in the fall were the most commonly reported factors influencing overwinter mortality by commercial beekeepers. beekeepers however, reported that weather and weak colonies in the fall were the main factors contributing to overwinter mortality (Table 5). Table 3. Number of commercial and small-scale beekeeper survey respondents and the overall winter loss in 2017 for each beekeeping region in Ontario. Beekeepers Beekeepers Beekeeping Region # of Overwinter # of Respondents Mortality (%) Respondents Central Overwinter Mortality (%) East North South Southwest Total 92 * *Responses were not received from 2 respondents from the central region, 3 from the east region and one from the north region. Table 4. Overwinter honey bee colony losses during the winter of by size of beekeeping operation (number of colonies operated). # of Respondents # of Colonies Reported in the fall of 2016 Average Overwinter Mortality (%) 97 < >

6 Beekeepers were asked to report on what they believed were the main attributing factors for overwinter honey bee mortality. Some beekeepers reported more than one factor believed to contribute to colony mortality. Table 5. Number of commercial and small-scale beekeepers reporting contributing factors to honey bee colony losses during the winter of Suspected Cause of Colony Loss # of Beekeepers Reporting # of Small-Scale Beekeepers Reporting Starvation Poor queens Weather Ineffective Varroa control Nosema 9 2 Weak colonies in the fall Other Don't know Management Practices for Pests and Diseases There are many theories that aim to explain the observation of increased overwinter honey bee mortality in recent years. The scientific literature suggests honey bee health is complex and that there are many factors contributing to honey bee colony health. For example, colonies may be weakened or killed by pests, such as infestation by the parasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Poor management practices, such as small cluster size, inadequate food stores and ineffective control of varroa mites may contribute to overwinter mortality. Other factors such as severe weather, habitat loss and exposure to pesticides are environmental stressors which may potentially contribute to colony health. While some factors contributing to colony mortality such as severe weather are not within the direct control of the beekeeper, monitoring for and the treatment of pests and diseases can be controlled by the beekeeper. For this reason, the 2017 winter loss survey focused on the surveillance, management and monitoring of three major threats to colony health: varroa, nosema and American foulbrood. Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) Varroa mites are relatively large external parasites that feed on the body fluids of both adult and developing honey bees. Varroa mites cause physical damage, weaken bees and transmit a variety of pathogens, particularly viruses. In almost all cases, when varroa infestations are not effectively managed, the death of the honey bee colony will follow. Beekeepers were asked how they monitored for varroa infestations (Fig. 2) and which treatments were used at the beginning (spring) and the end (fall) of the 2016 beekeeping season (Table 6). Among beekeepers who responded to this question, 89 per cent of commercial beekeepers and 65 per cent of small-scale beekeepers advised that they monitor for varroa infestation in their colonies. A number of varroa monitoring methods were used, the most common being either an alcohol wash or a sticky board. Some beekeepers used more than one method to monitor for varroa. Most commonly, when the response other was selected, the beekeeper reported that they visually check their colonies for varroa or use the sugar shake method which are not recommended methods for monitoring varroa. Ontario beekeepers use a variety of options to manage varroa mites. In spring and fall of 2016, the most common method of varroa mite treatment reported by commercial beekeepers was Apivar. beekeepers also reported using 65 per cent liquid formic acid (40 ml multiple application), mite away quick strips and Apistan. beekeepers indicated a preference for mite away quick strips over other forms of mite control options. Although there has been documented resistance to some mite control products such as Apistan and CheckMite+, there have been no documented cases of Apivar -resistant varroa mites in Ontario to date. 6

7 Figure 2. Type of varroa monitoring method used by commercial and small-scale beekeepers in The two least commonly used treatments by both commercial and small-scale beekeepers were CheckMite+ and Thymovar. To slow the development of resistance to chemical treatments, Ontario beekeepers are advised to rotate varroa mite treatments as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. Table 6. Treatments reported by commercial and small-scale beekeepers used to control varroa mites in the spring and fall of Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Varroa Treatment Apistan (fluvalinate) CheckMite+ (coumaphos) Apivar (amitraz) Thymovar (thymol) % formic acid (40 ml multiple application) % formic acid (250 ml single application) Mite Away Quick Strips (formic acid) Oxalic acid Other None

8 Management Practices for Pests and Diseases To reduce the likelihood of colony mortality from pests and disease, it is recommended that beekeepers should adopt best management practices and routine biosecurity practices. INSERT PHOTO, COLOUR OR TEXT HERE. All three boxes need to be same size. Nosema spp. Nosema (N. ceranae and N. apis) is a fungal pathogen that infects the digestive system of honey bees. Nosema may be an added stress to honey bee colonies, depending on the time of year. A relationship between nosema infection and colony loss during the winter months has not been identified (Guzman et al. 2010; Emsen et al. 2016). The majority of Ontario beekeepers did not treat for nosema during 2016 (Table 7). Seventy three per cent of beekeepers (both commercial and small-scale) who responded to this survey question indicated that nosema treatment was not applied in the spring and 71 per cent of respondents did not treat for the disease in the fall of American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) American foulbrood (AFB) is caused by the spore forming bacteria, Paenibacillus larvae. The clinical symptoms of diseased honey bee larvae can be visually identified in the field, while the spores are only visible under a high power microscope. Honey bee larvae can become infected by ingesting P. larvae spores present in their food. These spores germinate in the gut of the larva, and may eventually kill the infected larvae. The majority of commercial beekeepers (78 per cent) who responded to this survey question treated for AFB during 2016 and the most common treatment reported was oxytetracycline (Table 8). Forty one per cent of small-scale beekeepers reported treating for AFB in the spring and 44 per cent of small-scale beekeepers used AFB treatments in the fall (Table 8). Although oxytetracycline-resistant AFB has been detected in other jurisdictions such as the US, there have not been any documented cases of resistant forms in Ontario. Table 7. Treatments reported by commercial and small-scale beekeepers used to control nosema in the spring and fall of Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Nosema Treatment Fumagillin Other None Table 8. Treatments reported by commercial and small-scale beekeepers used to control American foulbrood in the spring and fall of American Foulbrood Treatment Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Oxytetracycline Tylosin Other None

9 Reported Overwinter Mortality (%) 2017 Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey Honey bee colony mortality differs from year to year, among different beekeeping regions and individual beekeeping operations. This survey alone cannot paint a complete picture of honey bee health. Honey bee health is complex and it is difficult to attribute overwinter mortality to a single cause Ontario Year Canada Figure 3. Overwinter mortality (%) reported by beekeepers in Ontario (blue) and Canada (grey) from to present. General Comments and Discussion The Ontario Apiculture Winter Loss Survey is a valuable tool for gathering information on colony mortality and the management practices used by beekeepers to monitor and control pests and diseases. The main stress factors influencing declines in the number of pollinators in Ontario have been identified as the following: extreme weather and climate change disease, pests and genetics reduced habitat and poor nutrition exposure to pesticides Ontario s Pollinator Health Action Plan was developed to help address several of the key stressors on pollinator health. Implementation of the action plan is ongoing and includes the following: investing $1 million in innovative honey bee health research working to restore and protect one million acres of pollinator habitat across the province developing and delivering a suite of activities and programs designed to enhance beekeeper knowledge of emerging issues and research, best management and integrated pest management practices Additionally, commercial beekeepers now have access to a production insurance plan to help them manage financial losses from overwinter bee colony damage. The Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan gives participating beekeepers the confidence and security to reinvest in their operations, encouraging greater innovation, profitability and job creation and provides them with the same financial support that beekeepers in other provinces receive. 9

10 General Comments and Discussion CAPA has compiled overwinter mortality data provided by each province and published an annual report on national honey bee colony losses since Ontario beekeepers have frequently reported overwinter mortality higher than the national average (Fig. 3). Since 2010, Ontario beekeepers have reported annual overwinter honey bee colony mortality greater than 15 per cent in all years except 2012 (12 per cent). In Canada, 15 per cent is the maximum of overwinter losses considered to be acceptable and sustainable by the apiculture industry (Furgala and McCutcheon, 1992; CAPA, 2007 to 2016). During the winter of , Ontario beekeepers reported a record 58 per cent overwinter mortality. In and , the estimated overwinter mortality declined to 38 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. This was followed by a 27 per cent overwinter mortality in While Ontario beekeepers have reported overwinter mortality higher than the national average in recent years, these losses are lower compared to those reported by beekeepers in the US. American beekeepers reported 40.5 per cent losses in followed by 33 per cent overwinter mortality in (Steinhauer et al. 2017). For More Information For more information about Ontario s apiculture industry, or to access resources and services available from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Apiary Program, including treatment recommendations and best management practices for biosecurity, high risk pests, diseases and overwintering, please visit To learn more about Ontario s commitment to Pollinator Health, including our government s actions to improve the health and reduce the loss of Ontario s wild pollinators and managed bees, please visit For more information on the Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan, please visit References Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) Statement on honey bee losses in Canada. 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and Emsen, B., Guzman-Novoa, E., Hamiduzzaman, M., Eccles L., Lacey, B., Ruiz-Pérez, R., Nasr, M Higher prevalence and levels of Nosema ceranae than Nosema apis infections in Canadian honey bee colonies. Parasitology Research, 115: Furgala B. and McCutcheon, D.M Wintering productive colonies. In Graham J M (Ed). The hive and the honey bee (revised edition). Dadant and Sons; Hamilton, IL, USA pp Guzman-Novoa, E., Eccles L., Calvete, Y., McGowan, J., Kelly, P. and Correa-Benitez, A Varroa destructor is the main culprit for death and reduced populations of overwintered honey bees in Ontario, Canada. Apidologie, 4 (4) Steinhauer, a. Rennich, K. Caron, D.M. Ellis, J.D. et al Honey Bee Colony Losses : Preliminary Results. The Bee Informed Partnership. For more information: Telephone: apiary@ontario.ca Également disponible en français